BRAIN HAEMORRHAGE COMPENSATION
A brain haemorrhage is the leaking of blood over the brain tissue as a result of rupture of a blood vessel usually caused by physical exertion (particularly in the elderly) or by physical trauma to the head (which is often caused by a fall or by involvement in a contact sport). A brain haemorrhage is always a life threatening event requiring urgent medical attention and treatment. Tens of thousands of people have a brain haemorrhage in the UK every year and a significant proportion of these may be the victim of medical negligence caused mainly by failure to diagnose and treat properly or by subsequent negligent surgery.
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Compensation
The responsibility for medical negligence ultimately lies with the medical staff employed by a healthcare provider for failure to diagnose or treat the brain haemorrhage. Even the most senior medical consultants can make errors and there is always the possibility that a brain haemorrhage has been overlooked leading to avoidable brain damage that may be fatal. Even if the condition is properly diagnosed the surgeon repairing the damage may do so inadequately and cause more problems than he solves. Both of these scenarios are likely to lead to a successful claim for compensation for personal injury as a result of brain haemorrhage medical negligence by the healthcare provider or its employees.
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Subdural - Extradural - Subarachnoid Haemorrhage
The affects of brain haemorrhage may range from a severe headache to fits or a coma for the most serious of conditions. Subarachnoid haemorrhage is the most common form of brain haemorrhage and is usually caused by a breached aneurism (a broken weakened blood vessel). The victim of a brain haemorrhage may suffer from either a subarachnoid haemorrhage, a subdural haemorrhage or an extradural haemorrhage. A subarachnoid haemorrhage describes the condition when a vessel ruptures and blood flows into the brain resulting in damage to the brain which exhibits instantaneous and discernable symptoms, warning the doctor in charge that emergency treatment may be necessary. Subdural haemorrhage is common in the elderly and may develop slowly following head trauma. Young people often suffer from extradural haemorrhage following a head injury whilst playing contact sports.
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Diagnosis
About 8,000 people in the UK have a brain haemorrhage every year. This condition is caused by a flow of blood over the brain from a ruptured blood vessel. It most often occurs in older people with high blood pressure who are often exerting physical effort at the time. There are three different types of brain haemorrhage that are frequently misdiagnosed. These are a sub-arachnoid haemorrhage, a sub-dural haemorrhage and an extra-dural haemorrhage. The most obvious and usual sign of a brain haemorrhage is a sudden severe headache at the back of the head, which may last for about an hour. In severe cases the victim loses consciousness and may collapse into a coma. Most people who have a brain haemorrhage don't know what's happening to them. The condition is often mis-diagnosed at hospital accident and emergency departments which may give rise to a possible compensation claim for medical negligence.
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Warning Signs
About 50 per cent of patients who have a brain haemorrhage display clear warning signals that doctors should be aware of. However even specialist neurologists can make the mistake of a mis-diagnosis of this condition. Further errors can also be made by brain surgeons when surgically repairing the damage. If you or a family member have been the victim of medical negligence through the misdiagnosis of a brain haemorrhage, or through negligent subsequent treatment, you will need to seek professional advice from a specialist solicitor about the possibility of making a claim for compensation.
COMPENSATION HELPLINE 0845 177 0929
Aneurism
A brain haemorrhage results when there is a weak artery or blood vessel in the brain, otherwise known as a brain aneurism that ruptures. A rupture of a weakened blood vessel is often caused by a sudden increase in blood pressure. If the rupture is left untreated blood will flow into the brain cavity exerting pressure on the brain. The common perception is that a brain aneurysm is an affliction of the elderly - the truth is that many younger people are also susceptible to brain haemorrhage. Younger people are at risk of having a brain aneurysm if they smoke, have high blood pressure or make certain other poor lifestyle choices. Between 3% to 6% of adults have a weak blood vessel in their brain which could produce an aneurysm. Further research suggests that 1 in 30 people have the potential to develop a brain aneurysm and about 1% will suffer a serious sub-arachnoid brain haemorrhage at some time during their lives. Since a brain haemorrhage may strike without warning, the victim of a brain haemorrhage may not survive the incident. Failure to diagnose or to mis-diagnose a brain haemorrhage can have life threatening consequences which may justify legal action by a clinical negligence solicitor.
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Treatment
A brain haemorrhage can occur without warning although a common symptom is a very strong headache which does not dissipate over time, usually felt towards the back of the head. Most victims report that the headache is the worst they've ever experienced. Many victims die immediately however in some cases surgery may be carried out to save the patient. This involves attaching clips to the affected blood vessels. Unfortunately, accident and emergency doctors do not always make the right diagnosis, attributing the headache to migraine and prescribe nothing more than a basic analgesic. A brain haemorrhage is considered to be a life-threatening medical event that necessitates immediate and precise diagnosis in order that the right medical treatment can be provided. Over 25% of those who are suddenly afflicted with a brain haemorrhage will die within 24 hours. Failure by a healthcare professional to properly deal with a brain haemorrhage which results in personal injury or death will entitle a clinical negligence solicitor to take legal action to claim compensation.
COMPENSATION HELPLINE 0845 177 0929
Endovascular Treatment
Victims of brain aneurysms can be treated with endovascular treatment (considered a less-invasive procedure) if the neurovascular specialist rules out surgical clipping as being too risky. Endovascular treatment is also called coil embolisation or coiling. Statistics show that patients who undergo endovascular treatment have better survival rates compared to those who undergo surgical clipping. Caregivers or next-of-kin of patients are advised to consult the neurovascular specialist as to which form of treatment is more appropriate for the victim.
COMPENSATION HELPLINE 0845 177 0929
Specialist Solicitors
If you or a family member have suffered a brain haemorrhage that was wrongly diagnosed or poorly treated you should contact a specialist solicitor for advice on brain haemorrhage medical negligence compensation claims without delay. Time limits do apply and failure to comply with the limitation legislation may mean that the opportunity to claim compensation is lost forever. To preserve your legal right to receive compensation you should act now without delay.