When it comes to injuries that affect the brain, spine, and their connective nerves, the potential for those injuries to cause serious, lifelong conditions are high. These types of injuries, called neurological injuries, can cause both short and long-term damage, and if the injury is severe enough, could potentially change an injured person’s life forever.
There are hundreds of different kinds of neurological disorders that affect the brain, as well as other parts of the body. Parkinson’s disease, epilepsy, and brain tumors are just a few of the more than 600 types of neurological disorders and conditions. Injuries that occur because of accidents, trauma, abuse, birth injuries, and genetic diseases can also have lasting effects on the brain and brain function.
It can be difficult and expensive to treat neurological injuries and disorders, and there are often barriers to receiving adequate care. It can be hard for some patients to see a neurologist—the doctor who specializes in disorders of the brain and spine—for insurance reasons, financial reasons, or because the patient lives in a rural area and must travel long distances to receive care.
When neurological injuries are the result of an accident or other factors outside the control of the injured person, the resulting injuries and medical care can be especially burdensome to them and their loved ones. Accidents like slip and falls, birth injuries, and car accidents can occur because of the negligence of another person or business, including medical malpractice on the part of the doctor or healthcare facility.
The advocacy organization Brain Injury Association of America, which helps people who have suffered brain injuries through medical research and treatment, describes the outcomes of traumatic brain injury as “unpredictable.”
“Brain injury is unpredictable in its consequences. Brain injury affects who we are and the way we think, act and feel. It can change everything about us in a matter of seconds.” —Brain Injury Association of America
Individuals who were injured as a result of potential negligence or medical malpractice may wish to take legal action against the party responsible for their injuries. Personal injury lawsuits or medical malpractice lawsuits help injured people recover damages they incurred because of their injuries, such as lost wages and the cost of past and future medical care. Pursuing this type of litigation also gives injured people the chance to hold the responsible party accountable for their actions. Contact an experienced lawyer or attorney today to see if you qualify for a personal injury claim.