Massachusetts Personal Injury Library
Child Abuse and Neglect Causes and Injuries
Childhood should be a carefree and fun time. For many children, it is a painful and emotional stage in their lives, as they find themselves victims of child abuse or neglect. Children are vulnerable and it is important to do everything possible to protect them from injury. Parents and caretakers should be familiar with the causes and injuries linked to child abuse to keep their children out of harm's way.
The emotional and physical impact on children who are abused is serious. Child abuse and neglect has become prevalent in the United States. Prevent Child Abuse America, a private child welfare organization, estimates that the financial cost of child abuse and neglect is $94 billion each year nationwide.
The laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts define child abuse as "the non-accidental commission of any act, by a caretaker, upon a child under 18, which causes or creates a substantial risk of physical or emotional injury, or constitutes a sexual offense under the laws of the Commonwealth, or any sexual contact between a caretaker and a child under the care of that individual." Child abuse and neglect affects children of all ages and boys and girls equally. Parents are often responsible for the abuse or neglect, but anyone who takes care of a child, whether that person is a professional caregiver, babysitter or relative, can be a potential abuser. Group homes, schools, hospitals, group day care centers, family day care homes and treatment facilities can also be held liable for child abuse or neglect.
Each case of child neglect and abuse is different and there is no simple cause. Children are abused for many reasons, none which are justified. Many abusers do not intend to hurt a child, but might participate in abuse or neglect out of anger or frustration. Some of the common reasons why children are abused or neglected include substance abuse, lack of family support, repeating a cycle of abuse or unrealistic expectations. Children are considered to be neglected when their basic needs are not being met, either deliberately or through negligence.
Abuse can be physical, sexual or emotional. It often includes beating, shaking, burning, kicking or other forms of violence. Child abuse injuries include the following:
- Death
- Bone fracture
- Burns
- Subdural hematoma
- Bruising
- Soft tissue swelling
- Drug addiction
- Failure to thrive
- Inability to function within normal range of performance or behavior
- Emotional detachment
- Severe lack of affection
If you suspect that your child has been abused or neglected, contact the Massachusetts child abuse lawyers at Kiley Law Group at (800) 930-8145 for a free consultation.
