How Medical Malpractice Causes Brain Injuries
The human brain is a remarkable organ that generates thought and regulates internal body functions. When the brain is harmed by external trauma or internal factors such as disease or lack of oxygen, the effects can be devastating.
Careless mistakes by medical professionals that damage the patient’s brain may cause permanent damage. Patients who suffer brain damage as a result of medical malpractice may never fully recover. Their quality of life can be dramatically impacted and they may require a lifetime of medical treatment and assisted living care.
What Is Medical Malpractice?
Doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals have a duty of care to provide reasonable care to patients. Medical malpractice results when the duty of care is violated, and it is a cause of harm to the patient.
To prove a claim of medical malpractice, your personal injury attorney must demonstrate that the person who harmed you deviated from standard of care in their profession. That means a reasonably qualified person would have acted differently in the same situation.
Traumatic Brain Injuries Caused by Medical Malpractice
There are two types of brain injuries that can result from inadequate medical care, traumatic brain injury and non-traumatic brain injury.
A traumatic brain injury (TBI) is caused by external factors such as a forceful blow or jolt to the head or body. It can also result when an object pierces the skull and penetrates the brain.
When a patient is mishandled by a medical professional or staff, it may cause TBI. This includes birth injuries, falls, and careless or violent treatment in a nursing home or any other type of treatment facility.
Examples of TBI caused by medical malpractice include:
- Birth trauma due to misuse of forceps or vacuum delivery
- Hospital falls
- Physical abuse
- Improper lifting techniques
Non-Traumatic Brain Injuries Caused by Medical Malpractice
Non-traumatic brain injuries result from internal factors, such as diseases, aneurysms, and lack of oxygen or insufficient blood flow.
A medical professional may be negligent when they make a mistake that causes non-traumatic brain injury. This can occur at any time during the treatment process, during childbirth or surgery, or while the patient is recovering from a medical procedure.
Brain damage may result from an intubation error. Intubation is when a healthcare professional inserts a tube through the patient’s mouth or nose, down the throat, and into the windpipe to ensure sufficient airflow during surgery. The tube is connected to a machine called a ventilator that pumps air containing extra oxygen.
Examples of medical malpractice that may cause non-traumatic brain injury include:
- Surgical errors
- Medication errors
- Misdiagnosis
- Delayed diagnosis
- Anesthesia and intubation errors
- Failure to order a timely C-section during childbirth
- Misdiagnosed aneurysms, tumors, and metabolic disorders
- Failure to monitor a patient in intensive care (ICU)
- Failure to properly treat pulmonary emulsion
- Accidentally cutting blood supply during surgery
Brain Injury Symptoms
A brain injury may cause severe physical and intellectual impairment. Symptoms of brain injuries include:
- Impaired speech
- Reduced intellectual function
- Loss of muscle control
- Physical impairment
- Memory loss
- Confusion
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Fatigue
- Headaches
- Seizures
- Loss of balance
- Hearing and vision loss
- Difficulty sleeping
- Loss of feeling in arms and legs
- Coma
How Your Denver Malpractice Attorney Can Help
Even with the best treatment, a person who suffers a brain injury is facing a lifetime of medical assistance. This will generate astronomical expenses for the victim and their family.
Medical malpractice cases are complicated and difficult to prove. But our team of experienced litigators at Leventhal Puga Braley P.C. knows how to ask the right questions and find the right evidence to build a compelling case that will convince a jury.
Our Colorado medical malpractice brain injury attorneys will file a claim against anyone whose negligent behavior harmed you or your loved one. A brain injury malpractice claim includes these types of damages:
- Current and future medical expenses
- Time missed from work
- Medical devices
- Reduced earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Occupational therapy
- In-home nursing care
- Wheelchair ramps for your home
Getting the Resources You Need
The person who harmed you should have to pay for it. Our team at Leventhal Puga Braley P.C. has won record-breaking settlements for our clients.
Call (303) 759-9945 to schedule a no-cost consultation today.