Brain Hemorrhage
Brain hemorrhages may occur in different parts of the brain depending on their cause. Brain hemorrhages may occur with head trauma, high blood pressure, aneurysms (balloon-like outpouchings of blood vessels, often at the base of the brain) and a A-V malformations (arteriovenous malformations – abnormally formed and abnormally connected blood vessels which may rupture) and other causes. Hemorrhages may occur in the spine and the spinal cord from similar mechanisms.
The brain hemorrhages occurring with brain trauma are usually just underneath the “dura”, the outer fibrous covering of the brain (subdural hemorrhage) or, especially in association with the skull fractures, outside this covering and just beneath the skull (epidural hemorrhage). Epidural hemorrhages can also occur over the spinal cord. A thinner fibrous membrane is just under the dura and immediately over the surface of the brain. Brain hemorrhages can occur along the surface of the brain just underneath this membrane. These are called subarachnoid hemorrhages. Hemorrhages in this region may result in blood being present in the spinal fluid, and this may be seen if spinal fluid is removed from the spine for laboratory analysis (spinal tap or lumbar puncture).
Sometimes, to prevent blood clots from forming in the heart following heart surgery, or in the presence of certain abnormalities of the heartbeat (arrhythmias such as atrial fibrillation), or to prevent blood clots from forming in the leg veins, individuals will be given an anticoagulant medication Coumadin (“a blood thinner”.) The same dose of Coumadin may cause different levels of anticoagulation. The response to Coumadin can be measured by a laboratory test called the “protime”. Too much Coumadin may result in over-anticoagulation, and may cause a brain hemorrhage. Brain hemorrhage, often subarachnoid, can be one of the first manifestations of Coumadin overdose. Sometimes, brain hemorrhage may be sudden, large and rapidly debilitating or fatal. Other times, brain hemorrhages may be smaller, occurring intermittently and causing symptoms such as headache, neck pain, nausea and vomiting, visual disturbances and other neurologic symptoms. If a doctor pays attention to these symptoms in the right context, and diagnoses an early brain hemorrhage, a subsequently disabling or fatal brain hemorrhage may be preventable. If an early brain hemorrhage is missed, the hemorrhage may worsen and cause major neurologic injury, paralysis or death.
In consultation with neurosurgeons, neurologists, neuroradiologists and other physicians, the lawyer at Sweeney Law Firm will work with medical specialists to determine if injury or death came about as a result of medical malpractice, and advise you of your legal options. If malpractice occurred, the Sweeney Law Firm may be able to recover money damages to help pay the enormous expenses and other damages resulting from brain or spinal cord hemorrhage as well as compensate you and your family for your pain and suffering and permanent disability.
Call the Sweeney Law Firm at 260-420-3137, or toll free at 1-866-793-6339. Get your questions answered. Learn your legal rights.There is no cost or obligation for us to evaluate your case.
Through litigation, making negligent healthcare providers pay for the harm they cause may change the way they evaluate and treat other patients, saving others from injury and death.
This is an advertisement. This web site is designed for general information only. The information presented at this site should not be construed to be formal legal advice nor the formation of a lawyer/client relationship. Your should consult an attorney for individual advice regarding your situation.
Copyright © 2005-2009 Sweeney Law Firm
Fort Wayne, Indiana Personal Injury, Medical Malpractice Lawyers & Attorneys
PRACTICE AREAS LIBRARY OTHER RESOURCES
