Our brains are protected by a fairly remarkable system of bones, membranes and fluid. Because of this protection, most of the 2.8 million head injuries suffered by Americans each year are relatively minor.
However, 282,000 brain injuries each year are so severe that they require hospitalization. Brain injuries are also a contributing factor in the deaths of almost 50,000 people each year. Learning to recognize a serious brain injury can save a person’s life — and potentially prevent irreversible brain damage.
Head injuries, which are also referred to as traumatic brain injuries (or TBIs) involve a trauma to the head that causes an injury to the scalp, skull or brain. They are classified as either a closed or penetrating injury. In a closed head injury, the head suffers a blunt force after being hit against an object. A penetrating head injury involves an object breaking through the skull and entering the brain.
There are many potential causes of brain injuries, including falls, motor vehicle accidents — and medical malpractice. Because TBIs have the potential to lead to brain damage and even death, the consequences of such an injury are severe. A person who suffers a TBI may require costly medical care and treatment for life, and may never fully recover.
At Winkler Kurtz, LLP, we have witnessed the impact of traumatic brain injuries on victims and their loved ones. We can help families recover compensation for the medical malpractice that caused a brain injury. Call us today at 631-928-8000 or contact us online to schedule a consultation with a Long Island brain injury attorney.
Types of Brain Injuries
Brain injuries can happen in a variety of ways, most frequently through accidents. However, in some cases, physicians and other medical professionals may be negligent in caring for a patient, causing a brain injury. There are several types of brain injuries associated with medical malpractice.
Anoxic brain injuries occur when a brain is completely deprived of oxygen for a period of time. A deprivation of oxygen in the brain can lead to impairments in a person’s ability to think, move, and process emotions. Although there are multiple ways in which an anoxic brain injury can occur, anesthesia accidents are one of the most frequent causes for one particular type.
Infection injuries may occur if a patient develops sepsis, which is caused by a bacterial infection of the bloodstream. This is often a result of poor sanitary procedures in healthcare settings, such as surgical site infections, central line infections, or urinary catheter infections. Without immediate intervention, organ failure can occur, leading to brain damage.
Birth trauma may also lead to brain injuries. This may include an infant’s brain being injured by instruments used during labor and delivery, or the infant being deprived of oxygen during childbirth. Either type of trauma can lead to severe injuries or death.
Finally, brain injuries may be made worse by a delayed diagnosis or a misdiagnosis. If a patient is not correctly diagnosed and treated promptly for symptoms of a brain injury, damage to the brain may be irreversible.
Costs Associated with Brain Injuries
A brain injury can have a permanent effect on a person’s life. Any type of brain injury can leave a person confused, unable to concentrate, in pain, or even paralyzed. The emotional, psychological and physical impact of brain injuries often endure long past the incident that caused the injury.
Brain injuries are also associated with staggering medical costs, from the initial treatment to the need for ongoing care. A person with a brain injury may require hospitalization, multiple surgeries, and months of therapy. Depending on the severity of the injury, he or she might need care for the rest of their lives.
A brain injury may also diminish a person’s capacity to work, support themselves, and take care of their families. This is another aspect of damages that must be addressed in any claim against the party responsible for the injury: the inability of the victim to return to his or her former life.
The Long Island brain injury attorneys of Winkler Kurtz, LLP understand the heavy costs associated with these types of injuries, which can run from $85,000 to $3,000,000 over a lifetime. We are committed to helping our clients get the compensation that they deserve for their injuries.
How a Long Island Brain Injury Attorney Can Help
At Winkler Kurtz, LLP, our lawyers believe that victims of medical malpractice should be able to pursue compensation from the medical professionals or hospitals whose actions caused their trauma. We are passionate about helping our clients get the justice that they deserve for their injuries.
If you have suffered a brain injury, our skilled Long Island brain injury attorneys can help. Call us today at 631-928-8000 or contact us online to schedule a consultation.