Bleeding is a natural process in the human body that stems from injuries or internal health problems. Depending on the location of bleeding, the impact on the body varies. When the bleeding occurs in the brain, it causes damage to the tissues and can result in severe health problems or death. When a medical doctor overlooks the signs of brain hemorrhage, a loved one faces long-term health complications or dies before obtaining appropriate treatment. Seeking assistance from a legal professional or a malpractice lawyer allows individuals to find appropriate solutions after a loved one is harmed by inaccurate diagnosis or delayed treatment.
What is Brain Hemorrhage?
Brain hemorrhage refers to any type of bleeding that occurs in the brain. The exact causes of the bleeding depend on the situation, but Web MD reports that roughly 13 percent of all strokes stem from some form of bleeding in the brain.
Essentially, the condition starts when a blood vessel bursts or an injury to the head causes internal bleeding inside the skull. When the blood spreads through the brain tissue, it damages the cells within the brain and causes injuries to the cells. Over time, the damage spreads and the bleeding causes more complicated health concerns.
In the worst case scenario, doctors are unable to stop the bleeding before it significantly damages the brain and causes death. Since nearly 13 percent of cases result in a stroke, it contribute to the large number of deaths that occur in the United States (U.S.) each year. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, strokes account for one out of every 20 deaths each year and nearly 795,000 strokes occur annually in the U.S.
Common Causes of Bleeding in the Brain
The causes of bleeding in the brain vary significantly based on the individual and the situation. In many cases, the underlying cause of bleeding contributes to the ability of medical professionals to recognize the signs of a potential problem.
Common causes of brain hemorrhage include:
- Chronic high blood pressure
- Injuries to the head and brain from an accident
- Aneurysms, which result in a burst or broken blood vessel in the brain
- Brain tumors
- Bleeding disorders
- Liver disease
- Abnormalities with the walls of blood vessels
Medical doctors have the tools to recognize potential problems before it leads to bleeding in the brain. By taking preventative measures when a loved one shows signs of common risk factors, like high blood pressure or bleeding disorders, an individual has a lower risk of bleeding in the brain. A medical doctor should always check for internal bleeding in the brain when a loved one has a head trauma and should never overlook the symptoms of a large aneurysm or a brain tumor.
Malpractice and Seeking Legal Aid
Although certain forms of brain hemorrhaging occur unexpectedly and without any clear warning, some situations also contribute to the problem over a period of time. According to the National Institutes of Health, medical malpractice occurs when a doctor does not perform his or her duty to a patient. Essentially, it means that a doctor does not take appropriate measures to protect the health of a patient when he or she shows signs of potential concerns or complications.
In the case of bleeding in the brain, an individual has a case for medical malpractice if a doctor did not look for any internal bleeding after a head injury, did not offer suggestions and treatments for high blood pressure or ignored signs of a stroke or aneurysm. Since bleeding in the brain occurs unexpectedly in certain situations, such as during a stroke, a doctor does not always have warning signs to diagnose a health concern.
Malpractice means a doctor is negligent during the care of a patient, which results in a physical injury or a death. It also occurs when a doctor misdiagnoses the bleeding, which results in delayed treatment and unnecessary injuries to the individual.
Doctors play a key role in the health of their patients. When a doctor does not provide appropriate care or misdiagnoses an individual with bleeding in the brain, it contributes to severe health complications and even the death of the individual. If a loved one was injured from a brain hemorrhage and a doctor was negligent, then you will want to seek legal counsel. Fill out the form or call today to discuss your case with a lawyer.