Brain injuries are among the most devastating forms of harm a person can experience. They often result in lifelong physical, emotional, and financial consequences for both victims and their families. When these injuries are caused or worsened by medical malpractice, it is essential to understand your rights and options so that you can seek compensation and financial security.
Cases involving brain injuries are very complex, which is why working with an experienced medical malpractice attorney is critical for protecting your legal rights and your future.
What is a brain injury?
A brain injury occurs when the brain sustains damage due to trauma, lack of oxygen, or medical conditions such as stroke or infection. The degree and cause of injury can range from mild to severe, such as anoxic brain damage, where the brain is deprived of oxygen for a prolonged period.
Some of the most common symptoms of brain injuries include:
- Memory loss or cognitive difficulties
- Loss of motor skills or paralysis
- Behavioral changes or mood swings
- Difficulty speaking or understanding language
- Persistent headaches, dizziness, or fatigue
In some tragic cases, brain injuries can be fatal, leaving behind family and loved ones who are mourning their loss while also navigating a loss of emotional, physical, and financial support.
Brain injuries and medical malpractice
Medical malpractice occurs when a healthcare provider’s negligence results in harm to a patient. When it comes to brain injuries, malpractice may arise in several ways, including:
1. Failure to Diagnose or Delayed Diagnosis
Doctors are trained to recognize symptoms of serious conditions like strokes, brain infections, or aneurysms. Failing to diagnose these conditions in a timely manner can lead to irreversible brain damage or even death. For example:
- A patient with clear signs of a stroke is sent home from the emergency room without proper tests, causing a treatable condition to worsen.
- Meningitis or encephalitis symptoms are mistaken for the flu, delaying critical treatment.
2. Surgical Errors
Brain surgeries or operations near the head or neck are incredibly delicate procedures that require precision. Mistakes such as operating on the wrong site, damaging brain tissue, or failing to monitor oxygen supply during surgery can lead to permanent harm.
3. Anesthesia Errors
Administering too much or too little anesthesia can cause serious complications. For instance, insufficient monitoring during anesthesia administration may result in oxygen deprivation, leading to brain damage.
4. Birth Injuries
Brain injuries during childbirth are tragically common forms of medical malpractice. They can occur if a doctor fails to act quickly during emergencies like umbilical cord compression or prolonged labor, causing a newborn to suffer oxygen deprivation. Read more on our Birth Injuries page.
5. Medication Mistakes
Administering the wrong medication or dosage can have catastrophic consequences. Certain drugs can cause seizures or increase the risk of stroke, both of which may result in brain injuries if not addressed promptly.
Who can I sue for medical malpractice?
In cases of medical malpractice involving brain injuries, several parties may be held liable depending on the circumstances. These may include doctors, surgeons, anesthesiologists, nurses, hospitals, or other healthcare facilities. For instance, a surgeon who makes a critical error during a brain operation, or a hospital that fails to maintain proper protocols, can be found negligent. Health systems and hospitals may be held accountable for systemic failures, such as inadequate staffing, lack of proper training, or poor maintenance of medical equipment. Multiple providers may be liable in some cases, including when a systemic failure contributed to the injury, such as inadequate staffing or communication breakdowns within the medical team.
Proving medical malpractice in brain injury cases
Medical malpractice cases are complex and require proving several technical legal elements. Your attorney will explain how these are satisfied in your case and gather evidence to support each element:
- Duty of Care: The healthcare provider had a responsibility to deliver competent and appropriate care.
- Breach of Duty: The provider failed to meet accepted medical standards.
- Causation: The provider’s negligence directly caused or contributed to the brain injury.
- Damages: The victim suffered measurable harm, such as medical expenses, lost wages, or pain and suffering.
For example, if a surgeon operated on the wrong part of the brain, causing permanent cognitive impairments, you would need to demonstrate how this mistake led directly to your injury and its resulting impact on your life.
The devastating impact of brain injuries
Brain injuries often require extensive medical treatment, including surgeries, rehabilitation, and long-term care. Victims of medical malpractice may struggle to return to work or maintain the quality of life they once enjoyed. Family members frequently face emotional and financial strain as they adapt to caregiving roles or the loss of companionship.
Some of the financial burdens associated with brain injuries include:
- Hospital bills and ongoing medical expenses
- Costs of physical therapy, speech therapy, or psychological counseling
- Home modifications or assistive devices
- Loss of income and future earning potential
In cases of medical malpractice, victims and their families have the right to seek compensation for these damages as well as for physical and emotional pain and suffering.
How the medical malpractice attorneys at Morris James can help
Pursuing a medical malpractice claim involving a brain injury is no simple task. It requires gathering extensive evidence, consulting with medical experts, and navigating complex legal processes. The medical malpractice attorneys at Morris James can provide you the guidance and support you need to seek justice and financial security.
We will:
- Evaluate your case: Determine whether medical malpractice occurred and identify liable parties.
- Collect evidence: Secure medical records, expert testimony, and other key documentation to build a strong case.
- Calculate damages: Accurately assess the full extent of your losses, including future costs.
- Negotiate and advocate: Handle negotiations with responsible parties, and bring the case to trial if fair compensation is not offered.
Medical malpractice claims are subject to strict statutes of limitations, meaning there is a limited time to file your case. Acting quickly ensures you can get the legal representation you need to protect your legal rights.
Compassionate legal support for brain injury victims
If you or a loved one has suffered a brain injury due to medical malpractice, you don’t have to face this battle alone.
