While individuals who seek treatment at hospitals and other health care facilities in New Mexico might always expect to receive the accepted standard of care from medical professionals, errors resulting in catastrophic injuries can sometimes occur. Permanent brain damage is a serious, life-altering injury that can affect patients of all ages when medical personnel make mistakes.
Permanent brain damage at birth may be caused by medical negligence during the delivery process. If the fetus does not receive enough oxygen, brain cells die, which can cause the loss of motor skills and cognitive ability. Cerebral hypoxia can also cause paralysis and seizures. When doctors and nurses ignore or fail to notice reports of heart rate deceleration supplied by a fetal monitor, which is routinely used during labor and delivery, the resultant brain damage could negatively impact your child for life.
In addition, a fall that causes bleeding inside the brain may occur when hospitals neglect to properly transport patients, provide restraints or remove hazards. The increased pressure on the brain that is associated with a subdural hematoma can cause serious brain damage and may be life threatening. Anesthesia and surgical errors, uncontrolled bleeding, infections following medical procedures, failure to diagnose sepsis or a heart attack can lead to complications that could also compromise your family member’s cognitive or physical abilities.
If your loved one has suffered permanent damage because a doctor or other health care provider neglected to provide the requisite care or made a mistake, our medical malpractice lawyers understand the loss and have the legal knowledge to prosecute a lawsuit. For more information, please visit our page on brain damage and medical malpractice lawsuits.