Is nursing home negligence factor in loved one’s brain injury?

On Behalf of | Aug 15, 2017 | nursing home negligence

It can be absolutely devastating to witness a loved one suffer from a serious brain injury. Many such injuries are caused by automobile accidents, military combat and medical mishaps, such as nursing home negligence or surgical errors. What may be important to most Wyoming families whose loved ones have suffered brain injuries is understanding the recovery process and obtaining justice if negligence is involved.

If a nursing home resident falls or is abused and suffers a brain injury, he or she may be in a coma for some time. Although such states are typically non-responsive, there is evidence to show to many coma patients can still hear what’s happening around them. Family members are encouraged to keep talking to their comatose loved ones in order to help draw them back to consciousness.

Some traumatic brain injury patients seem to respond somewhat to certain stimuli but appear distant and unresponsive most times. This is known as a vegetative state and can last for weeks, even months or years. If a TBI patient is minimally conscious, he or she may be able to recover certain motor skills, as well as respond to various types of external stimuli or voice commands.

If a spouse, parent or adult child believes nursing home negligence is a causal factor in a loved one’s traumatic brain injury, he or she may seek assistance to file a personal injury claim in a civil court. In successfully litigated cases, compensation may be provided to help cover medical expenses and other costs associated with a particular TBI incident. As with any type of medical malpractice lawsuit in Wyoming or beyond, the burden of proof lies with the plaintiff; therefore, it’s best to secure experienced and aggressive representation before heading to court.

Source: msktc.org, “Understanding TBI: Part 3 – The Recovery Process“, Thomas Novack, Tamara Bushnick, Accessed on Aug. 15, 2017