When Houston residents think of a brain injury, their most common thought may be what doctors refer to as a traumatic brain injury. A traumatic brain injury involves a blow or wound to the head, which causes physical damage to the brain’s structure.
Another type of brain injury is called a hypoxic brain injury. In order to function properly, the brain requires a steady supply of oxygen to continue to live and function. Without oxygen, the brain will begin to die in a few minutes.
No matter the type of brain injury, the end results can be debilitating to the victim. Even minor brain injuries can leave a person with a reduced ability to concentrate and to remember things. A major brain injury can mean the victim requires constant medical care, with a victim experiencing serious problems communicating and doing even basic motor functions.
In the world of medical malpractice, brain injuries can happen for a number of reasons. For instance, during surgery, a mistake with the administration of anesthesia, an error in inserting a breathing tube or some other surgical error can result in oxygen deprivation.
Other complicated medical procedures, including childbirth, also require careful monitoring and medical supervision. If doctors and other medical professionals fail to do so, then the end result could be a hypoxic or anoxic brain injury. The victim of a brain injury due to medical negligence will likely need compensation in order to cover his or her current medical bills, as well as ongoing treatment and care. But, the key is understanding one’s rights.
