Our Easton Head Injury Attorneys are Here for You After Medical Malpractice
Serious head injuries can have numerous and sweeping effects on one’s lifestyle and general enjoyment of life — whether the injury occurred in the medical context or not. For example, a cosmetic injury to one’s features (perhaps resulting in scarring) might negatively affect the quality of one’s social life and hinder one’s ability to advance in a client-facing career. By contrast, a head injury that affects the nervous system could have broader deleterious effects on one’s ability to earn income and live a normal, happy life. In some cases, it could result in a coma, or even death. If you have suffered head injuries due to the negligent, reckless, or intentional acts of a healthcare professional, we strongly encourage you to consult our Easton head injury attorneys.
Head Injury Factors
According to the Mayo Clinic, a head injury may include one or more of the following factors:
- Damage to brain cells may be isolated or widespread
- A severe blow or jolt can cause multiple points of damage
- Tearing of cellular structures can leave permanent damage
- An object penetrating the skull can cause damage to cells, blood vessels and protective tissues around the brain
- Bleeding in or around the brain, swelling, and blood clots can disrupt the oxygen supply to the brain
Obviously, the greater the head injury the more likely that there will be permanent and long-lasting issues (or even death). If you were injured in Easton, you should seek immediate medical attention for any head injuries as proper and timely treatment may be able to limit further damage.
Common Causes of Head Injuries
The Mayo Clinic found the following to be most common causes of head injuries:
- Falls
- Vehicle-related collisions
- Violence
- Sports injuries
- Explosive blasts and other combat injuries
There are some steps that can be taken to limit the potential for head injuries. For example, proper sports equipment (such as helmets) should always be worn during contact sports. Another example is that drivers and their passengers should always wear seatbelts to limit the amount of movement the body and head are exposed to during a car accident.
When a Healthcare Professional is Liable for Head Injuries
In the medical injury context, a wide variety of errors can lead to serious head injuries. The following is a non-exhaustive list of some common acts of medical negligence.
Misdiagnosis or Delayed Diagnosis
Misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis of an infection, or cancer, can lead to an advanced form of the condition that is more difficult to treat. Many cancers, for example, are highly treatable in the early stage, but become more aggressive in later stages. This is particularly true of brain cancers, which can be particularly aggressive (and often untreatable) in their later stages.
Even if a cancer or infection is treatable, waiting too long can lead to severe disfigurement. Successful surgical intervention of a cancer that has spread to the face is still likely to result in visible scarring, and may even lead to difficulties relating to sensation.
Surgical Errors
When surgical intervention is deemed necessary, healthcare professionals must make reasonable efforts to avoid causing further injury. Failure to adhere to the standard of care may lead to careless mistakes, however. For example, if a surgeon performed brain surgery but did not properly consider your prior medical history, this could lead to new and unforeseen nervous system issues.
Negligent Transport
Clinics and hospitals are generally fast-paced environments with a high-volume of patients, workers, and visitors moving in-and-out throughout the day. Careful patient transportation between rooms and facilities is therefore quite important to avoid exposure to injury. For example, if you are being wheeled around on a stretcher and one of the hospital workers is careless, turning sharply into a corner, you could suffer severe head injury from the collision.
Head Injury Damages
Damages in a head injury lawsuit include, but are not limited, to:
- Medical expenses
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Wage loss
- Future income loss
- Loss of enjoyment of life
Consult With Our Experienced Easton Head Injury Attorneys
Head injuries occurring from medical malpractice can be difficult to litigate, as there must be an extensive investigation into the facts to uncover the particular negligence, recklessness, or even intentional acts that led to the injury. In many cases, the cause of the injury is unclear until consultation with medical experts.
Here at Drake, Hileman & Davis, PC, we have over three decades of experience litigating injury claims and medical malpractice claims, including those involving head injuries. We tailor our litigation strategy to suit the facts of each case, and keep clients engaged in the process throughout.
Call (888) 777-7098 to setup a free consultation with one of our Easton head injury attorneys today.