02-06-2006, 10:43 PM
Controversial Sensory Integration Therapeutic Device Severs AS Child's Finger, Crushes Nerves
Monday February 6
Hersh & Hersh Press Release
Lawsuit Against 'The Sensory Center' Shows Hazards and Lack of Safety Precautions for Experimental Sensory Integration Dysfunction Device
SAN FRANCISCO, CA--(MARKET WIRE)--Feb 6, 2006 -- A lawsuit filed in December 2005 in Alameda County Superior Court, by a Livermore family, Terri and Max Sharbach, reveals the dangers of an experimental device, 'The Oscillating Motion Bed' designed and marketed by Pleasanton's The Sensory Center, a therapy center that treats children with autism and other sensory processing disorders. In addition, the suit sheds a harsh light on the lack of regulatory standards for unproven sensory processing therapy. The lawsuit was filed on behalf of the Sharbachs by plaintiff rights law firm Hersh & Hersh.
Terri Sharbach looked forward to meeting with representatives of The Sensory Center in late September 2005 in hopes they could provide sensory integration therapy for her daughter, who has sensory integration processing issues. According to the lawsuit, the meeting turned disastrous when Sierra, age 4, caught her finger in the exposed gears and moving parts of an unattended piece of therapeutic equipment known as 'The Oscillating Motion Bed,' and the index finger on the her left hand was severed and nerves were irreparably crushed.
"This tragic event could have been prevented if common sense precautions had been taken to keep minors from freely accessing unattended, potentially dangerous, equipment," stated Hersh & Hersh Attorney Charles Kelly. "Sierra underwent a terrible ordeal and has suffered a lifelong injury. For a family already dealing with the stress and worry of a child with neurological disorders, this was the last thing Sharbach family expected to have to deal with when seeking therapeutic treatment for their daughter."
Sensory integration therapy is purported to improve the way the brain processes and organizes external stimuli, such as touch, movement, body awareness and sound and is used for treating autism, mental retardation and learning disabilities. Few insurance companies cover these experimental treatments because they consider them to be unproven. Many of these treatments are not provided by certified medical staff and vary widely in quality and reputability.
The complaint states that as Terri Sharbach met with representatives of The Sensory Center to discuss treatments for her daughter, Sierra was permitted to wander about the center with no caution or warnings from the management or staff about potentially dangerous equipment on the premises. When Sierra caught her hand in the exposed gears of the unattended, moving Oscillating Motion Bed, her agonized screams alerted Mrs. Sharbach to her daughter's plight.
This case provides an eye-opening example of the potential, unanticipated safety hazards of experimental, non-medically approved devices and serves as a caution to parents in desperate search of alternative therapies to help their children suffering from neurological disorders.
"This case is a sober reminder to parents of children with neurological disorders to be wary of unorthodox sensory integration practices that are dubious, and at times downright dangerous, as in the case of little Sierra Sharbach," added attorney Kelly.
Contact:
Hersh & Hersh Press Contact:
Lisa Byrne
415-221-5018
Source: http://biz.yahoo.com/iw/060206/0108817.html
Monday February 6
Hersh & Hersh Press Release
Lawsuit Against 'The Sensory Center' Shows Hazards and Lack of Safety Precautions for Experimental Sensory Integration Dysfunction Device
SAN FRANCISCO, CA--(MARKET WIRE)--Feb 6, 2006 -- A lawsuit filed in December 2005 in Alameda County Superior Court, by a Livermore family, Terri and Max Sharbach, reveals the dangers of an experimental device, 'The Oscillating Motion Bed' designed and marketed by Pleasanton's The Sensory Center, a therapy center that treats children with autism and other sensory processing disorders. In addition, the suit sheds a harsh light on the lack of regulatory standards for unproven sensory processing therapy. The lawsuit was filed on behalf of the Sharbachs by plaintiff rights law firm Hersh & Hersh.
Terri Sharbach looked forward to meeting with representatives of The Sensory Center in late September 2005 in hopes they could provide sensory integration therapy for her daughter, who has sensory integration processing issues. According to the lawsuit, the meeting turned disastrous when Sierra, age 4, caught her finger in the exposed gears and moving parts of an unattended piece of therapeutic equipment known as 'The Oscillating Motion Bed,' and the index finger on the her left hand was severed and nerves were irreparably crushed.
"This tragic event could have been prevented if common sense precautions had been taken to keep minors from freely accessing unattended, potentially dangerous, equipment," stated Hersh & Hersh Attorney Charles Kelly. "Sierra underwent a terrible ordeal and has suffered a lifelong injury. For a family already dealing with the stress and worry of a child with neurological disorders, this was the last thing Sharbach family expected to have to deal with when seeking therapeutic treatment for their daughter."
Sensory integration therapy is purported to improve the way the brain processes and organizes external stimuli, such as touch, movement, body awareness and sound and is used for treating autism, mental retardation and learning disabilities. Few insurance companies cover these experimental treatments because they consider them to be unproven. Many of these treatments are not provided by certified medical staff and vary widely in quality and reputability.
The complaint states that as Terri Sharbach met with representatives of The Sensory Center to discuss treatments for her daughter, Sierra was permitted to wander about the center with no caution or warnings from the management or staff about potentially dangerous equipment on the premises. When Sierra caught her hand in the exposed gears of the unattended, moving Oscillating Motion Bed, her agonized screams alerted Mrs. Sharbach to her daughter's plight.
This case provides an eye-opening example of the potential, unanticipated safety hazards of experimental, non-medically approved devices and serves as a caution to parents in desperate search of alternative therapies to help their children suffering from neurological disorders.
"This case is a sober reminder to parents of children with neurological disorders to be wary of unorthodox sensory integration practices that are dubious, and at times downright dangerous, as in the case of little Sierra Sharbach," added attorney Kelly.
Contact:
Hersh & Hersh Press Contact:
Lisa Byrne
415-221-5018
Source: http://biz.yahoo.com/iw/060206/0108817.html
