How Can Medical Malpractice Cause Brain Injury?
All professionals within the medical field are expected to deliver care that meets up to the recognized standard of care. If a medical professional delivers subpar or negligent care, or if they fail to foresee consequences that should have reasonably been foreseen, and a patient suffers injuries and/or damages as a result, that is considered medical malpractice.
Medical malpractice can cause a wide range of complications, including brain injury. Here, medical malpractice attorneys Sean M. Burke and Jason N. Argos discuss cases of medical malpractice that can cause brain injuries, as well as the damages that their Irvine, CA, clients may be due if negligent medical care causes them to suffer a brain injury.
Types of Brain Injuries Caused by Medical Malpractice
Medical malpractice can cause acquired brain injuries (ABIs), which refers to brain injuries that are not hereditary, congenital, or degenerative. ABIs can be divided into two categories, traumatic brain injuries and non-traumatic brain injuries, either of which can result from medical malpractice.
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI) - A traumatic brain injury is one that is caused by external force or trauma. This type of injury can occur if the head is struck or penetrated, or if the neck or body sustains force that causes the brain to move around inside the skull.
- Non-traumatic brain injury - A non-traumatic brain injury is caused by internal, rather than external forces. A non-traumatic brain injury may be the result of a tumor, infection, or oxygen deprivation.
Examples of Medical Malpractice that Can Cause Brain Injury
Many people think of brain injuries as being the result of violent accidents or attacks. While those types of incidents can cause brain injury, medical malpractice is another possible cause of brain damage. Examples of medical malpractice that can cause traumatic or non-traumatic brain injuries for our Irvine clients include:
- Failure to properly intubate a patient during surgery
- Failure to monitor a patient’s vital signs during surgery or childbirth
- Failure to diagnose a stroke or heart attack in a timely manner
- Failure to diagnose a brain bleed, aneurysm, or pulmonary embolism
- Excessive bleeding during a procedure (which can lead to oxygen deprivation)
- Giving the wrong dose of a medication
- Misuse of vacuum extractor or forceps during delivery
Effects of a Brain Injury
Brain injuries can affect all areas of a person’s life, including their physical, cognitive, and emotional functions. Depending on what area of the brain is damaged, and the extent of injuries, potential effects of a brain injury include:
- Memory loss
- Difficulty concentrating
- Trouble composing and/or expressing thoughts
- Balance issues
- Vision or hearing loss
- Speech impairment
- Depression, anxiety, and/or changes in mood/personality
Medical Malpractice Damages
The physical damages of a brain injury are only one type of loss that our Irvine clients are likely to experience following medical malpractice. When a medical malpractice claim is filed, we pursue compensation for all types of injury damages, which may include:
- Past and future medical expenses
- Cost of rehabilitation and/or therapy
- Lost wages and/or diminished wage earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Diminished quality of life
Contact Us
If you or a loved one has suffered a brain injury that you believe was caused by medical malpractice, attorneys Sean M. Burke and Jason N. Argos can help you hold liable medical professionals accountable for your losses. To discuss the details of your case, contact our law firm online, or call (949) 644-3434.