Million Dollar Advocates Forum
Marquis Who's Who America's Biographer since 1899
American Association for Justice
The Chicago Bar Association
Illinois Trial Lawyers Association
Illinois State Bar Association

About Brain Damage

October 25, 2007

Brain damage may result in a variety of ways, including medical malpractice, traumatic brain injuries, and illness. Brain damage can occur be "diffuse" or "localized." Diffuse brain damage can result from prolonged hypoxia (shortage of oxygen to the brain), poisonous substances, medication errors and/or overdoses, and neurological illness. Localized or focal brain damage can occur from trauma, stroke, aneurysm, surgery, or neurological illness.

Brain Damage Caused by Medical Malpractice

Brain damage or brain injury from medical malpractice can occur under a variety of circumstances, including:

Whether medical malpractice caused the brain damage or whether it simply occurred as a bad outcome is often a complicated questions. To determine whether malpractice occurred, it is critical to consult a medical malpractice attorney who has the knowledge, skill, and experience to effectively investigation and prosecute complex medical malpractice cases involving brain damage.

Effects of Brain Damage

The effects of brain damage can vary widely and may involve physical effects, cognitive effects, and emotional effects. Physical effects may include headaches, movement disorders, seizures, difficulty walking, sexual dysfunction, lethargy and/or coma. Cognitive effects may include changes in judgment, ability to reason, memory, and mathematical ability. Emotional effects may include mood swings, poor impulse control, agitation, low frustration threshold, clinical depression, and psychotic symptoms like hallucinations and delusions.

Extent of Brain Damage and Prognosis

The extent and effect of brain damage is often assessed through the use of neurological examination, neuroimaging, and neuropsychological assessment. Brain damage can be temporary or permanent. The location of the brain injury, extent of the brain injury, and overall health of the patient are important factors for predicting a patient' prognosis.

Rehabilitation for patients with a brain injury is also an important part of their recovery process. After the patient is stabilized, they may be transferred for rehabilitation therapy as an inpatient or outpatient depending on their condition and other variables. Patients are usually best managed in a facility that has a specialty focus in Brain Injury Rehabilitation. These patients may often need to relearn basic skills, including walking, talking, and bathing. The overall goal is to improve their ability to function as independently as possible.

For children with brain injuries, the extent and nature of the damage may not become clear for years. The child' ability to receive the best possible care can be vital to their prognosis.

Posted by: Chicago Medial Malpractice Attorney Jason M. Kroot of Kroot Law, LLC

 
Client Reviews
★★★★★
Thorough, articulate, and extremely knowledgeable of the law. Jason is someone I would highly recommend to family and friends. He represented me in an automobile case and was very happy with the overall experience and outcome! Joni S.
★★★★★
Jason handled a very challenging auto accident case for me. My injuries were all based on preexisting conditions that were made worse by the accident. He did an amazing job proving up my case, which included destroying the defense expert at deposition. In the end, I received an excellent settlement on a tough case. Jason is a very smart, talented, and diligent lawyer who I would highly recommend to anyone. Phil S.