Philadelphia medical malpractice attorneys recognize Brain Injury Awareness Month. A traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a common injury among many Americans, accounting for about 2.4 million injuries per year. There are many different situations where a traumatic brain injury can occur. The leading cause of a traumatic brain injury is falls, making up more than 35 percent of all brain injuries. Other common causes include motor vehicle accidents (17.3 percent), being struck by or against objects—known as blunt force trauma (16.5 percent) and assault (10 percent).
According to the Brain Injury Association of America, a traumatic brain injury is defined as an alteration in brain function, or other evidence of brain pathology, caused by an external force. Any TBI, no matter how minor or significant, can alter the function of the brain. However, the lasting effects of a brain injury will depend on several factors including cause, location, and severity.
Early Diagnosis and Treatment of a Traumatic Brain Injury is Critical According to Medical Malpractice Attorneys
When a traumatic brain injury occurs, early treatment and diagnosis is extremely important. A delay in diagnosis or failure to diagnose a traumatic brain injury as a result of medical malpractice can cause additional injuries or even damage the patient’s chances of recovery. There are several symptoms associated with TBIs. Some of the most common symptoms include: spinal fluid (thin water-looking liquid) coming out of the ears or nose, loss of consciousness, dilated pupils, change of vision, respiratory failure, dizziness, vomiting, headaches or confusion, difficulty speaking and body numbness or tingling.
In most cases, traumatic brain injuries are the start of a lifelong disease process that requires access to a variety of different medical treatment and support. Once a traumatic brain injury is properly diagnosed, it should be treated by an experienced team of medical professionals. Since no two brain injuries are identical, recognizing these symptoms and seeking prompt treatment are critical to a patient’s care and recovery.
Medical Malpractice Attorneys in Philadelphia and New Jersey
The Philadelphia medical malpractice attorneys at Messa & Associates are experienced at handling medical malpractice cases resulting from delayed and failure to diagnose brain injuries. Our extremely skilled team of medical malpractice attorneys and medical experts is dedicated to ensuring you receive proper compensation for your personal injuries. If you or a loved one has suffered personal injuries as a result of a medical error in failing to diagnose or treat a traumatic brain injury or any other type of negligent care received by a medical provider, contact the medical malpractice attorneys of Messa & Associates for a free consultation. Call toll free at 1-877-MessaLaw, or submit a free online inquiry.
