$1,300,000 Recovery for Negligence By Caregiver for Autistic Child
William O. Crutchlow, Esq. of Eichen Crutchlow Zaslow, LLP with offices in Edison, Toms River and Red Bank, New Jersey was lead counsel for an autistic boy and his family in a case that settled for $1,300,000. Our primary client was a profoundly autistic boy who was assigned a caregiver to assist him with training in daily living skills. The caregiver took the boy from the family home to attempt to provide guidance in how to behave in the community. After the session, the boy was allowed to play at a playground at which point the caregiver lost track of him. Several minutes later, the child was found face down and essentially lifeless in a nearby body of water. He was resuscitated, but suffered brain damage due to lack of oxygen during the drowning event. The brain damage led to a seizure disorder, to physical and cognitive regression, to gastrointestinal maladies and to an increase in agitation and aggression. These consequences are permanent.