HEAD/BRAIN

A head injury is any trauma that leads to injury of the scalp, skull, or brain.  Head injuries can be classified as closed or penetrating.  In a closed head injury, the head sustains a blunt force by striking against an object such as hitting a windshield in a car accident.  It can also occur without the head hitting the windshield such as when a person experiences whiplash.  In a penetrating head injury, an object breaks through the skull and enters the brain.  Common causes of head injuries include car accidents, physical assault, falls, or accidents at work or home. Head injuries may cause loss of consciousness, serious bleeding, confusion, seizures, and/or clear drainage from the nose/ears.  Some result in nonreversible or prolonged brain damage. 

CONCUSSIONS are brain injuries that may result in a bad headache or unconsciousness.  These occur when the head hits an object or a moving object strikes the head.  Concussions can occur in car accidents or during sports activities. 

SKULL FRACTURE is a medical emergency that must be treated promptly to prevent possible brain damage.  These can have no obvious signs of damage, but can present with clear fluid draining from the nose/ears, bruising around the eyes or behind the ears, and swelling/depression of part of the head. 

INTRACRANIAL HEMORRHAGE is bleeding inside the skull that may accompany a head injury.  A blood clot may form if a blood vessel between the skull and brain ruptures.  This can cause pressure on the brain causing symptoms.  There are three types of intracranial hemorrhages:

EPIDURAL HEMATOMA is a collection of blood between the skull and the covering of the brain called the dura. 

SUBDURAL HEMATOMA is a collection of blood between the dura and the brain itself. 

INTRACEREBRAL HEMORRHAGE occurs when the bleeding is deeper inside the brain. 

POSTCONCUSSION SYNDROME is symptoms of a head injury that can last 6 – 12 months after the accident.  Up to 60% of patients experience this after a mild head injury.  They may experience memory loss, headaches, and dizziness.

COMA is an extended period of unconsciousness in which a person cannot be aroused.  It is usually caused by a severe head injury.

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Over 1.4 million people sustain traumatic brain injuries each year, with more than 50,000 dying as a result. Brain injuries frequently occur during an accident, particularly when an individual sustains a traumatic blow or jolt to the head. Unfortunately, they are also sometimes caused as a result of medical malpractice . One thing is always true, however. The consequences of brain injury are always devastating.

If you or a loved one has suffered a brain injury as a result of medical malpractice, please contact us to speak with a qualified personal injury lawyer who can evaluate your claim and determine your eligibility to seek compensation for your losses and suffering.

Malpractice and Brain Injuries

Medical malpractice occurs when a doctor or other healthcare professional fails, whether intentionally or not, to provide a patient with a standard level of care. Types of medical malpractice that can result in a brain injury include but are not limited to the following:

• Surgical accident
• Improper administration of anesthesia
• Interrupting blood flow to the brain
• Misdiagnosing, or failing to diagnose a condition

Head trauma, brain tumors, aneurysms, and other brain-related conditions can all lead to a severe brain injury, or even death if left untreated. Failure to diagnose a condition in a timely manner to prevent further injury is also a type of medical malpractice.

Brain Injury and Your Legal Rights

Brain injuries can have severe, and far-reaching repercussions on many facets a victim's life. Some of the potential physical, emotional, and monetary costs that may result from a brain injury include:

• Chronic pain
• Paralysis
• Seizure disorders
• Speech impairment
• Extensive medical bills
• Depression
• More

Brain injuries can completely and permanently change the lives of victims and their families. If you or a loved one has suffered a brain injury as a consequence of medical negligence or malpractice, you may be entitled to compensation for your losses.

information obtained from: http://www.onlinelawyersource.com/personal_injury/brain_injury/index.html