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In a record-shattering verdict, a jury in Amador County awarded $8.4 million to a boy who was paralyzed as a result of child abuse when he was just 10 weeks old.The landmark jury verdict on Oct. 18, 2017, is believed to be the largest in county history and one of the largest in state history based on California’s Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act (California Penal Code Section 11166) which requires medical staff to report reasonably suspected child abuse to Child Protective Services.
The legal team of Chris Keane, a San Francisco-based attorney specializing in child abuse cases, and Edward Stark, a Los Angeles based trial attorney, successfully argued the case on behalf of Cree Miller, a now six-year-old who suffered permanent paralysis as an infant.
Cree argued that his treating healthcare practitioners would have prevented a tragedy if they had complied with state law requiring them to report reasonably suspected child abuse. The hospital and physician medical group were criticized for failing to inform employees about the reporting law — and his biological family were held liable for abusing him.
The verdict in the case was returned against Sutter Sacramento Sierra Region, Valley Emergency Physicians Medical Group, Inc., a doctor, a nurse practitioner and four members of the infant's biological family.
Keane and Stark believe the case, Cree Miller v Sutter Sacramento Sierra Region, et al., will create a positive change, improving the way mandated reporters comply with reporting laws in the future.
“Child abuse reporting is critical for the safety of all of California's children,” Keane said. “It is easy, fast and confidential. And it saves children’s lives."
When Cree was just seven weeks old, he was brought to the emergency room of Sutter Amador Hospital by his biological family with complaints of a mouthful of blood, damage to his eye and bruises on his face.
Cree’s lawyers argued that there were clear indications of child abuse, which should have resulted in an immediate report to Child Protective Services. No report was filed, and Cree remained in the custody of his teenage parents. Three weeks later, Cree returned to the emergency room with a spinal cord injury that has left him permanently paralyzed along with other extensive injuries.
“A trial is a place where a community reveals its conscience,” Stark said. “In this case, the jury felt a child was needlessly endangered and that was reflected in its verdict.”
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About Edward Stark:
Edward C. Stark is a partner in Cron, Israels & Stark, who, along with his associates, handles the civil litigation side of Cron, Israels & Stark. Ed is AV-rated and has been named as one of the top 5% of attorneys in Southern California, honored under the title of Super Lawyers for the last 8 years. He specializes in tort/medical malpractice, business litigation, and professional licensure defense and is licensed to practice law in California, New York, and Minnesota. He and his legal team are committed to providing clients with the highest level of professional services as well as establishing a partnership-style dynamic with each of them. Beyond the paperwork, depositions, and preparation for trials, he is dedicated to making the process of helping clients find a resolution as important as the result. www.edwardstark.com
About Chris Keane:
Christopher Keane is rated as one of the leading Plaintiff's lawyers in America, and is one of the highest rated Plaintiff's lawyers in America whose practice is focused on the representation of injured, abused and deceased children. He has achieved the highest possible rating (AV) for both legal ethics and ability by Martindale-Hubbell, the definitive guide to America's leading lawyers and law firms. He has been rated by the prestigious Lawdragon Magazine as one of the 500 Leading Plaintiff's Lawyers in America, which noted that Keane has been "a tireless advocate for injured children" and that "Keane has collected seven-figure wins for wrongful death, amputation, cerebral palsy and more.” Keane is a member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum/The Top Trial Lawyers in America and has recovered more than $50,000,000.00 for clients. www.keanelaw.com
For further information, please contact:
Edward Stark
(310) 393-7300
Chris Keane
(415) 846-0089
Contact Info:
Name: Edward Stark
Email: Send Email
Organization: Cron, Israels & Stark
Website: http://Edwardstark.com
Release ID: 265281