A traumatic brain injury (TBI) is an injury to the brain caused by an external force, such as an impact or a sudden acceleration or deceleration, that disrupts the normal functioning of the brain. TBIs can range in severity from mild to severe and can have lasting effects on the person’s physical, cognitive, and emotional functioning. The most common cause of a traumatic brain injury is a fall, but car accidents, sports injuries, and acts of violence can also cause TBIs, as can medical negligence. 
Medical negligence is a type of negligence that occurs when a medical professional fails to provide a standard of care that a reasonable person in the same situation would provide. This can include failure to diagnose a medical condition correctly, providing a treatment that is inappropriate or unnecessary, or providing treatment that is below the accepted standard of care. In some cases, medical negligence can lead to a traumatic brain injury, either directly as a result of the negligence or indirectly as a result of a medical condition that is misdiagnosed or improperly treated.
For example, if a physician fails to diagnose a brain tumor or an aneurysm, the patient may suffer a traumatic brain injury if the tumor or aneurysm ruptures. In addition, if a medical professional fails to diagnose a condition that leads to low blood pressure, the patient may suffer a TBI as a result of a sudden lack of oxygen to the brain. Similarly, if a medical professional fails to recognize the signs of a stroke and fails to provide timely treatment, the person may suffer a TBI as a result of the stroke.
In some cases, a medical professional may fail to provide an adequate level of medical care that results in a traumatic brain injury. For example, if a doctor fails to order a CT scan that would have revealed a brain injury, the patient may suffer a TBI as a result of the delay in diagnosis. In addition, if a medical professional fails to provide a timely referral to a specialist, the patient may suffer a TBI as a result of the delay in treatment.
In these cases, the medical professional may be liable for the patient’s medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages related to the TBI. In order to establish a case for medical negligence, the plaintiff must prove that the medical professional failed to provide a standard of care that a reasonable person in the same situation would have provided, and that this failure caused the TBI. It is important to note that not all cases of TBI are caused by medical negligence, and it is important to consult with an experienced Talladega injury lawyer to determine if you have a valid claim.
In conclusion, a traumatic brain injury is an injury to the brain caused by an external force that disrupts the normal functioning of the brain. The most common cause of a TBI is a fall, but medical negligence can also lead to a TBI, either directly or indirectly. If a medical professional fails to provide a standard of care that a reasonable person in the same situation would have provided, and this failure leads to a TBI, the patient may be able to file a medical negligence claim through a Shelby County injury attorney.
Attorney Steven A. Harris regularly blogs in the areas of family law, bankruptcy, and real estate closings on this website. He is always available in any of the firm’s offices or by phone anytime for a consultation. Mr. Harris tries to provide informative information to the public in easily digestible formats. Hopefully you enjoyed this article and feel free to supply any feedback. We appreciate our readers and love to hear from you!