Even a few minutes of oxygen deprivation can result in permanent brain damage. Victims of hypoxic and anoxic brain injuries are often left with physical, cognitive, and emotional challenges that alter their lives forever, and cause families to struggle under the weight of caregiving and financial strain. The impact is often overwhelming, especially when the injury was caused by preventable medical errors.
Continue reading to learn the long-term effects of brain injuries, ongoing rehabilitation and care needs, and how a brain injury attorney can help secure legal recovery for medical negligence.
What are Hypoxic and Anoxic Brain Injuries?
The brain requires a continuous flow of oxygen to function properly. When oxygen is restricted, brain cells begin to die within minutes.
A hypoxic brain injury occurs when the brain receives only a partial supply of oxygen. An anoxic brain injury occurs when oxygen flow is completely cut off. These injuries frequently result from medical negligence, including:
- Surgical errors
- Anesthesia errors
- Failure to diagnose stroke
- Failure to monitor vitals after surgery
- Traumatic labor and delivery
Both hypoxic and anoxic brain injuries can lead to permanent damage and lifelong complications.
Long-Term Physical and Cognitive Effects of Brain Injuries
Brain injury victims who experience physical, mental, and medical challenges may regain partial function over time, but for others, damage may be permanent. Common long-term effects include:
- Memory loss
- Loss of cognitive function
- Speech impairments
- Emotional and behavioral changes
- Chronic headaches and fatigue
- Reduced mobility, coordination, and motor skills
These symptoms may dramatically affect a person’s independence, ability to work, and quality of life.
Rehabilitation and Ongoing Care After Brain Injury
Recovery after a serious brain injury often requires extensive rehabilitation and care. For families, this may mean costly equipment, therapy, and lifestyle adjustments, including:
- Rehabilitation: Brain injury victims may need extensive occupational, speech, and physical therapy to regain function.
- At-home or in-facility care: Many brain injury victims require assistance with routine activities such as dressing or eating. In severe cases, round-the-clock supervision in a brain care facility may become necessary.
- Mobility aids: Because brain injuries often limit mobility, victims may require mobility aids. These can range from walkers, wheelchairs, and mobility scooters to larger home modifications such as stair lifts.
- Adaptive technology: Brain injury victims with cognitive impairments may benefit from devices that assist with memory, communication, and cognitive recovery.
While these resources can improve brain injury victims’ independence and quality of life, they often represent substantial long-term costs. Pursuing legal action can help the victims of medical negligence recover the financial resources needed for ongoing care.
Award-Winning Brain Injury Attorneys in San Francisco
At Bostwick & Associates, we understand the complexity of hypoxic and anoxic brain injuries resulting from medical negligence. Our Bay Area brain injury attorneys have extensive experience handling medical malpractice claims and working with leading medical experts to evaluate the long-term care needs of brain injury victims.
With a history of record-breaking results, including the largest medical malpractice recovery in California history, our team is here to guide you through the legal process and help you obtain compensation.
Contact Bostwick & Associates today for a free consultation.