There are many different traumatic events that can cause brain damage. It often occurs due to a serious injury from an accident, such as a fall from a ladder, or a head impact during a vehicle crash. In some instances, however, brain damage can be caused due to lack of oxygen to the brain. This often occurs while drowning when there is a general lack of oxygen to the body. Sadly, lack of oxygen to the brain can also occur during a surgical procedure, in which case it is often avoidable and may be due to negligence that is grounds for medical malpractice.
There are generally two terms used to refer to a lack of oxygen to the brain, which often causes brain damage. Anoxia refers to a total lack of oxygen to a person’s brain. On the other hand, hypoxia is a situation in which there is only a partial lack of oxygen to the brain. Both situations can be extremely dangerous and brain damage may occur due to either one.
Surgical procedures, when performed properly, are quite safe and can make a tremendous difference in a person’s quality of life or extend their life by years or decades. When mistakes are made, however, the consequences can be tragic. Errors in anesthesia, for example, can result in falls in heart beat and breathing, either of which can cause less blood to reach the brain, and for it to have less oxygen in it. Surgical mistakes can also interrupt the flow of blood to the brain, which can result in brain damage due to hypoxia.
Brain damage due to a lack of oxygen can also occur during childbirth. This can be due to the umbilical cord becoming wrapped around the infant’s neck or other parts of the body. Proper procedures are in place to ensure medical professionals notice this happening and react promptly to avoid serious injury. When doctors fail to follow the proper steps, however, brain damage can occur with life-long consequences.
Proving that mistakes during a surgery or childbirth are more than just accidents, actually the result of negligence and malpractice, can be quite difficult. You need medical professionals to look at what happened, and provide evidence to indicate how those involved failed to act reasonably to avoid injury or brain damage. Do not try to do this without an experienced New York medical malpractice lawyer to fight for you.
If you or someone you love has suffered brain damage due to medical malpractice, call us today at Wingate, Russotti, Shapiro, Moses & Halperin, LLP at (212) 986-7353. Tell us about your situation and we can discuss your options.