There are many ways a victim can be injured as the result of medical malpractice. One of these is a brain injury, which can occur due to a surgical error, an injury sustained during birth, failure to monitor the patient’s hypotension, and medication errors. Brain injuries can impact an individual’s mental and physical capabilities, sometimes permanently.

Brain injuries are often considered to be “invisible injuries” because in many cases, they do not have physical symptoms. This makes them particularly dangerous because if a patient or his or her loved ones do not observe physical symptoms, the patient might not know to seek medical attention and can suffer a worsened condition as a result.

Symptoms of a Brain Injury

Brain injury symptoms can be cognitive as well as physical. These physical symptoms are much less noticeable than the symptoms of other types of injury, though, and this is why they can easily go unnoticed. Some are also only noticeable to the victim, rather than those observing him or her. A few examples of physical symptoms of a brain injury include:

• Balance and coordination difficulty;
• Dizziness;
• Nausea and vomiting; and
• Sensitivity to light and sound.

Cognitive and behavioral symptoms of a brain injury can be easier for a victim’s loved ones to observe, but they might not automatically connect the symptoms to brain trauma. Examples of these symptoms include:

• Mood swings;
• Anxiety;
• Anger and irritability;
• Confusion;
• Difficulty concentrating on a task or topic;
• Difficulty understanding and thinking; and
• Difficulty forming new memories.

Treatment for a Brain Injury

In most cases, the prescribed treatment for a brain injury is rest. It is important that an individual with a brain injury receive medical attention and monitoring as he or she recovers in case any new issues arise. In some cases, therapies such as rehabilitation, cognitive behavioral therapy, or anger management may be used to treat the symptoms of a brain injury. In cases where the brain is swollen, the patient might receive a decompressive craniectomy. This is the surgical removal of a portion of the skull to allow the brain to swell without being constrained.

Work with an Experienced Chicago Medical Malpractice Lawyer

If you have suffered a brain injury or any other type of injury as the result of a physician’s negligence, consider working with an experienced medical malpractice lawyer to pursue compensation for your damages through a medical malpractice claim. Contact our team at Baizer Kolar, P.C. today to set up your free consultation in our office.