According to a report released by the CDC, traumatic brain injury, or TBI, is a major cause of disability and death and responsible for nearly 30% of all injury deaths in the United States. Each day, close to 138 people in the country meet fatal ends due to injuries that include TBI.
According to a report released by the CDC, traumatic brain injury, or TBI, is a major cause of disability and death and responsible for nearly 30% of all injury deaths in the United States. Each day, close to 138 people in the country meet fatal ends due to injuries that include TBI.
In 2010, roughly 2.5 million hospitalizations, emergency department (ED) visits, and deaths were associated with brain injury – either on its own or in combination with other injuries. Over 50,000 people died as a result of TBI, and it was a diagnosis in over 2.2 million ED visits and 280,000 hospitalizations.
Causes of Brain Injury
There are numerous causes of brain injury, including car accidents, being struck by an object and falls. However, it can also be caused by medical malpractice. When a doctor makes a mistake while treating a patient and their conduct falls below the accepted standard of care which leads to harm to the patient, it may be considered as medical malpractice.
Different types of circumstances are present in a medical setting that might lead to brain injury, including:
- Infections that a patient acquires during a surgical procedure
- Anesthesia errors
- Surgical errors
- Medication errors or overdoses
- Failure to diagnose and treat signs of stroke, aneurysms or heart attack
- Failure to treat a patient with breathing problems or in respiratory distress
- Birth injuries such as cerebral palsy, brachial plexus, etc.
Brain Injuries Caused by Oxygen Deprivation
Preventable medical errors can include incidents where oxygen deprivation is involved. This can result in severe damage to the brain and have lasting and devastating consequences on a patient’s life.
Diminished oxygen supply to the brain can lead to impairments in a number of bodily functions such as physical, psychological and cognitive. Damage begins to occur within a few minutes of oxygen supply being cut off as sensitive brain cells begin to die off. When lack of oxygen continues, it can cause seizures, coma and brain death. The longer the brain is deprived of oxygen, the more severe the brain injury.
When the brain is deprived of oxygen, its effects can include:
- Memory loss
- Lack of physical coordination
- Difficulty forming words
- Weakness in the arms and legs
- Inability to perform basic functions
Get Expert Legal Help
When it comes to filing a lawsuit for brain injury, or making a workers’ compensation claim, negotiating with an insurance company or applying for other benefits, it is important to make sure that you get the best legal help. Brain injury cases raise complex issues, both legal and medical, which is why you need to seek a qualified personal injury attorney who is experienced in brain injury litigation.
The First Meeting is Free – Give Us a Call
If you or a loved one has sustained a brain injury as a result of medical negligence, you should immediately seek the assistance of a medical malpractice attorney at Rosenberg, Minc, Falkoff, & Wolff of RMFW Law at 212-344-1000. We know how to win cases. We know which direction to take.
We have won millions of dollars for past clients. RMFW Law knows which legal doors to open and when to open them. We know a viable case when we see one. What do you have to say? What is your side of the story?
