Anoxic Brain Injury: A Case for Malpractice

Having a medical procedure presents a variety of risks, including those associated with intubation (having a breathing tube inserted and removed) and anesthesia. Among the risks is anoxic brain injury (learn more) — a condition that results from total lack of oxygen to the brain. When the brain is deprived of oxygen, even for a few minutes, brain cells begin to die. After just four minutes, permanent brain injury can occur and after five minutes, the patient is at greater risk of permanent anoxic brain injury. The greater the loss of oxygen and the more time that passes, the more wide-spread and serious the injury.

Causes of Anoxic Brain Injury

Patients are at risk of anoxic brain injury during a medical procedure when severe bleeding, drops in blood pressure, stroke, anesthesia and other surgical errors occur. Newborns may also experience brain damage as a result of lack of oxygen when the umbilical cord is wrapped around the neck during childbirth and the issue is not attended to properly by the obstetrician.

Lasting Affects of Anoxic Brain Injury

Patients who experience anoxic brain injury suffer lasting affects, including inattentiveness, poor judgment, memory loss, personality changes, behavioral changes, hallucinations, muscle damage and poor motor coordination. If the lack of oxygen to the brain is more severe, it can cause more serious permanent brain damage, coma, seizures or even death.

Anoxic Brain Injury: A Case for Malpractice

If you or a loved one have suffered brain injury during a medical procedure, surgery or child birth, it is imperative that you speak with an attorney that has handled this type of case before. Negligence by a medical professional can be life-changing and our attorneys and team of medical experts will act on your behalf to get you the settlement you deserve.

Source: American Academy of Brain Injury