Medical Malpractice Can Cause Traumatic Brain Injuries

When most people think of how a traumatic brain injury (TBI) is caused they think of the head suddenly and violently hitting an object (such as in a car accident when the driver’s head hits the steering wheel), or when an object penetrates the skull and enters the brain tissue.  However, serious accidents (such as car accidents) where the brain is severely jarred or pierced are not the only types of accidents where a TBI can occur.  Medical malpractice can also cause a TBI.

There are several scenarios where a brain injury could result from medical malpractice.  These scenarios can include:

• A mistake made by a medical professional during pregnancy, deliver, or birth, usually from the lack of oxygen or blood flow in the newborn.  There are many different circumstances where this could happen.  The doctor could prescribe harmful medication during pregnancy.  The umbilical cord could become stuck around the baby’s neck during labor and delivery and if the OB/GYN does not act quickly brain damage can result.
• A surgeon may be performing an operation on the patient’s brain and make a mistake.
• Failure to properly diagnose the patient appropriately and failing to respond to their symptoms (such as failing to diagnose a brain tumor).
• Negligently administering medication, not providing the proper prescription, or not providing the proper dosage.
• Not monitoring the patient sufficiently.
• Not interpreting medical test results properly or failing to respond to the test results appropriately.
• Anesthesia mistakes.

Current and future expenses and losses could be included in damages during for a medical malpractice lawsuit.  Depending on the severity of the injury, the patient could have weeks, months, years, or a lifetime of medical treatment and care.  Damages that may be recovered could include hospital/doctor costs, physical therapy, rehabilitation, loss of earnings or earning potential, pain and suffering, and/or mental anguish.

Hospitals, doctors, and other health care professionals have a duty to adhere to accepted medical standards of care when they provide a patient with treatment.  When a medical professional acts in a careless or reckless manner and the patient is harmed, the medical professional could be liable in a medical malpractice lawsuit.

But what do you think?  I would love to hear from you!  Leave a comment or I also welcome your phone call on my toll-free cell at 1-866-889-6882 or you can drop me an e-mail at jfisher@fishermalpracticelaw.com .  You are always welcome to request my FREE book, The Seven Deadly Mistakes of Malpractice Victims, at the home page of my website at www.protectingpatientrights.com.