New Jersey woman suffers brain damage following surgery

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We hear a significant amount of talk in the news concerning medical malpractice awards. Yet what is often forgotten in such discussions is how significant injuries resulting from medical malpractice can be.

Recently, a 69-year old New Jersey woman may have suffered a brain injury due to a botched surgical procedure. In what has been described as a "comedy of errors," an improper incision may have led to internal bleeding and an infection that remained untreated for a number of weeks. Finally, when surgery was performed to address the infection, too much damage had already occurred.

The woman had remained hospitalized for her condition for a significant amount of time. She also has since been treated for a number of bed sores. The woman is now confined to a nursing home where she continues to suffer from a significant brain injury.

When patients require surgery, there is always the danger of brain injury if certain safety precautions are not taken. There is always the risk that anesthesia will not be properly administered, or that not enough action is taken to revive a patient that has undergone anesthesia. In the case of the woman mentioned above, there is also the danger of surgical error that can eventually lead to brain trauma.

Experienced attorneys in the medical malpractice and personal injury areas can address clients concerns if they suspect that someone was injured due to a medical error. Sadly, many such brain injuries that occur due to such a mistake can be catastrophic.

This is not the first time that the hospital has been blamed for a medical error. Recently, an organ donor died while planning on donating a kidney to her brother.

If hospitals are not held accountable for such injuries, the likelihood of such errors will continue.

Source: Fox News, "Family sues scandal-hit New York hospital after woman suffers brain damage," June 12, 2012