How Medical Malpractice Can Result in Brain Damage

Colburn Law

Posted in Medical Malpractice on September 11, 2023

Brain injuries are some of the most serious and life-altering consequences an individual can face. When these injuries result from the negligence of a medical professional, it intensifies the pain and distress for the victims and their families.

There are many ways that medical malpractice can result in brain damage, from a failure to recognize alarming symptoms to medication or anesthetic overdose. If you or a loved one has been affected by this type of negligence, you may qualify for legal action. 

Different Types of Malpractice-Related Brain Injuries

Brain injuries generally fall into one of two categories: 

• Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI): These injuries are caused by external factors, such as forceful impacts or sudden movements. TBIs vary in severity, from concussions to more grievous injuries like diffuse axonal injuries.
• Acquired Brain Injury (ABI): These injuries stem from internal complications, often caused by factors like tumors or oxygen deprivation. When an ABI occurs, the brain can suffer from sometimes irreparable damage.

Medical malpractice can cause both TBIs and ABIs, but not every brain injury occurs as a result of this type of negligence. For an act to be termed as malpractice, the medical provider must have deviated from the accepted medical standard of care and caused harm to his or her patient. 

Potential instances of medical negligence that could lead to brain damage include:

• Misdiagnosing or delaying treatment for critical conditions like strokes
• Allowing preventable blood loss to occur during surgeries
• Errors in surgical procedures, such as improper intubation
• Negligence during anesthesia administration
• Misdiagnosis of critical conditions like an aneurysm
• Prescribing the wrong dosage or type of medication
• Oversights during childbirth, including improper use of medical instruments

How Medical Malpractice-Related Brain Injuries Can Affect Your Life

The brain, a central hub for all cognitive, emotional, and sensory functions, can suffer irreparable damage due to medical malpractice. If you suffer a brain injury at the hands of a healthcare professional, your life can be disrupted in many ways, from your physical and mental well-being to your financial standing and ability to work.

Depending on the severity of your brain damage, you might face:

• Cognitive challenges, such as impaired memory, difficulty in making decisions, and challenges in problem-solving
• Altered or diminished abilities in seeing, hearing, and maintaining balance
• Difficulty understanding or speaking language, leading to frustrations in daily interactions
• Emotional and behavioral changes, such as depression, anxiety, and unexpected outbursts.

Contact a Seattle Brain Injury Lawyer Today

If you or a loved one has suffered a brain injury due to a medical provider’s negligence, you deserve justice. Victims of medical malpractice in Washington have the right to file a civil lawsuit against the at-fault provider, recovering compensation to help pay for medical expenses, disability accommodations, lost wages, and many other types of damages.

In these situations, a Washington brain injury attorney can help you fight for your right to maximum compensation. Your lawyer can gather evidence, speak to expert witnesses, and build a compelling case proving the medical provider’s negligence. 

After addressing your medical needs, schedule a free legal consultation to discuss your options with a Seattle brain injury lawyer from Colburn Law Today.