Traumatic Brain Injury Resulting From Medical Negligence
Last month was Brain Injury Awareness Month, and according to statistics provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 1.7 million incidents of traumatic brain injury occur each year. While most cases result from motor vehicle accidents, sports injuries, or falls, far too many are also attributed to medical malpractice or doctor negligence. In any scenario, the effects of a traumatic brain injury (TBI) are often profound, leaving victims with limited functions, abnormal speech and memory problems – depending on the severity and extent of the trauma.
Traumatic brain injury: symptoms and consequences
Often caused by a hard blow or bump to the head, a traumatic brain injury is one that disrupts normal function to the brain. Even mild cases of brain trauma that result in post concussion syndrome can wreak havoc on an individual’s normal daily functions. Common symptoms of a mild traumatic brain injury include:
- Loss of consciousness for several minutes
- Headache
- Memory problems
- Dizziness
- Fatigue
- Blurred vision
- Ringing in the ears
- Sleep problems
- Depressed mood, irritability and/or anxiety
- Cognitive problems involving memory, concentration, thinking
In more severe cases of TBI, the following symptoms may appear within days of the injury:
- Profound confusion
- Slurred speech
- Seizures
- Vomiting
- Difficulty with motor skills
- Sensory impairments
- Coma
When medical negligence is to blame
Doctors, nurses and other health care professionals take an oath to provide the proper medical standards of care when treating a patient. When these standards are not met and mistakes are made, these entities may be held liable in cases of medical malpractice. The following are just some examples of medical negligence that can lead to a traumatic brain injury:
- Birth injury malpractice leading to an infant’s brain injury (often caused by hypoxia or asphyxia)
- Failure to respond appropriately to symptoms of concern in a patient
- Medication errors
- Negligent interpretation of medical test results or failure to act appropriately in response to test results
- Oxygen deprivation during surgery
- Anesthesia errors
- Failure to diagnose stroke or other ailment
New York medical malpractice lawyers can help
Filing a lawsuit for a brain injury caused by medical negligence is very different from handling a standard personal injury claim, as many factors need to be taken into consideration. At The Sanders Firm, our veteran legal team holds New York medical professionals accountable for anesthesia errors, surgical mistakes, and other types of medical malpractice that can lead to a traumatic brain injury. Through a comprehensive review of all medical records and circumstances surrounding your case, we can determine if improper care or treatment was the contributing factor to your injuries.
Through aggressive litigation, we will hold the liable parties accountable for their actions and work our hardest to secure maximum damages for your past and future medical expenses, lost wages, and other economic losses. For help in establishing the types of compensation you may be entitled to, contact The Sanders Firm to schedule your free consultation with one of our New York medical malpractice lawyers. We will help you assemble evidence to build the strongest case possible. Call toll-free 1-800-FAIR-PLAY. Resources
- Center for Disease Control, http://www.cdc.gov/traumaticbraininjury/
- WebMD, http://www.webmd.com/brain/post-concussion-syndrome
