Filing a Traumatic Brain Injury Claim in Cleveland, Ohio July 5, 2012.

If you suffered a traumatic brain injury as a result of a surgical error, negligence, or a car accident, attorney Chris Mellino welcomes you to contact our Cleveland office with any questions you may have.

TBI Statistics

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), as many as 1.7 million people in the United States suffer from a traumatic brain injury (TBI) each year. Approximately 50,000 people die as a result of that injury and 85,000 people suffer from long-term disabilities. In the U.S., more than 5.3 million people are living with TBI-related disabilities.

How Can a Medical Mistake Cause a Brain Injury?

A brain injury may occur during a medical procedure in a number of ways, including:

  • Chemicals / Toxins: Harmful levels of drugs or chemicals may damage membranes and neurons. This often is associated with anesthesia errors.
  • Hypoxia (oxygen deprivation): It just takes a few minutes for irreversible injury to occur from anoxia (no oxygen) or hypoxia (reduced oxygen). A drop in blood pressure, a low oxygen environment, a heart attack, or respiratory failure during a medical procedure may lead to this condition.
  • Tumors: Surgery to remove the tumor may contribute to the injury or exacerbate the condition.
  • An infection: Brain-damaging infections caused by viruses and bacteria, such as encephalitis and meningitis, may occur if the blood-brain protective system is breached during an operation.

Medical treatment is not foolproof, even when handled by the best doctors. Unfortunately, little can be done to reverse the initial brain injury and damage suffered from it. Symptoms may be mild, moderate, or severe and may require weeks or a lifetime of rehabilitation. By filing a medical malpractice suit in Cleveland, you can send a message to the doctor that negligence will not be tolerated. You may also prevent someone else from suffering a similar outcome. A lawyer with experience in TBI cases can help you determine whether you have a viable claim.

Four Tips to Living With a Mild Brain Injury

According to the CDC, about 75 percent of the brain injuries that occur each year can be categorized as mild. Below are some general tips to recovering as well as possible.

  • Rest. Take the time necessary to heal before engaging in daily activities such as work or school.
  • Restrict your normal activities, particularly driving a motor vehicle, riding a bicycle, using heavy equipment or any other task that places you in a potentially hazardous situation. A brain injury may slow your ability to react, so it is best to ask your doctor or health care professional if and when it might be safe for you to engage in these types of activities.
  • Abstain from alcoholic beverages or drugs not prescribed by your doctor. Mind-altering substances may slow and distort your responses.
  • Keep notes. Many people living with a brain injury have trouble recalling information. A notebook or voice recorder can help with your schedule, activities, directions, etc.

Can I File a Traumatic Brain Injury Claim?

If you believe a surgical error or other medical mistake caused your traumatic brain injury, you’re welcome to download or request attorney Chris Mellino‘s free, easy-to-read guide to filing a claim in Ohio.