Tel: 07720 888122
Email: helen@helenfitzsimons.co.uk

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Non-accidental Injury (NAI)

Have You Been Accused of Abusing or Injuring Your Child?

If you have been accused of abusing or injuring your child, I can help. I have significant experience in complex care and non-accidental injury cases for many years and have formed excellent working relationships both with barristers and medical experts who specialize in these cases. I have had much success in securing a child’s return to their parents’ care.

When an injury has been identified, either with no explanation or with an explanation that the doctors do not accept, it is likely that social services and the Police will become involved. the Local Authority may start care proceedings and ask the Court to order that your child be placed in foster care whilst investigations are undertaken and your contact with your child may during this stage be supervised. It is vital that parents seek legal advice from an experienced family solicitor as soon as possible where non-accidental injury is suspected to ensure that your child is either not separated from your care or, that your child is placed with a family member rather than a local authority foster carer. I am a member of the Law Society Children Panel and a recognised expert in these cases. I also work closely with experienced criminal solicitors who can assist in respect of the separate police investigation and you should not be interviewed by the police without suitably experienced legal representation.

I have prepared an Advice Sheet if you have been accused of a non-accidental injury.

Non-accidental injury (NAI) is a term which is used to refer to many different types of physical injury or abuse, for example:
  • Non-accidental head injury (also known as shaken baby syndrome)
  • Brain injury (e.g. subdural or subarachnoid haemorrhage, hypoxic-ischaemic injury, contusions)
  • Eye injury (e.g. retinal or sub-conjunctival haemorrhage)
  • Bony injury (e.g. fractures, metaphyseal lesions/fractures, periosteal reaction)
  • Skin injury (e.g. bruising, petechiae, blisters, torn frenulum)
  • Fabricated or induced illness (also known as Munchausen’s syndrome, poisoning)
  • Infant death
  • Sexual abuse
Where a non-accidental injury is suspected, there are many issues that will need to be considered including:
  • the timing/age of the alleged injury,
  • the degree of force needed to cause it,
  • how such an injury can be caused (the mechanism),
  • the presentation of the child,
  • the differentiation between natural causes (medical conditions), accidental causes and non-accidental causes.

    I have particular interest, and success, in uncovering underlying medical explanations for alleged non-accidental injuries including bone and blood disorders. (Vitamin D, Rickets, Osteogenesis Imperfecta, Von Willebrands, Haemorrhagic disease, Ehlers Danlos Syndrome (EDS) amongst others).

    Please read the cases I have been involved in and testimonials. Please contact me if you wish me to help you.
Parental Alienation
 

Parental Alienation

Parental alienation is a group of behaviours that are damaging to children’s mental and emotional well-being

Arbitration
 

Arbitration

Arbitration is the private, judicial determination of a dispute, by an independent third party

Second Opinion & Change of Solicitor
 

Second Opinion & Change of Solicitor

Sometimes you just want to have reassurance that the advice you have been given is the best for you and your family

Child Arrangements
 

Child Arrangements

Where parents cannot agree arrangements in respect of their children and bring the matter before the Court

Our Accreditations

Contact Us

Tel: 07720 888122

Email: helen@helenfitzsimons.co.uk

12 The Avenue, Hambrook, Chichester, West Sussex PO18 8TY