If a coma and eventual vegetative state is the result of a surgeon’s or doctor’s negligence, Ohio medical malpractice lawyers in Cleveland can help families pursue compensation for the costs of care that the victim now requires.
Once a patient has emerged from a coma, he or she may be in a vegetative state. This state may not be declared persistent, however, unless the individual remains in this level of consciousness for a certain amount of time, which is often considered more than a month.
In a persistent vegetative state, the patient may be unable to:
Typically, the individual will still be able to:
A coma and/or persistent vegetative state can be caused by a number of injuries and underlying conditions. Most commonly, they occur because of brain injuries or trauma to the head, as in a car accident.
In terms of medical negligence, errors involving anesthesia or brain surgery may lead to an injury and could cause the individual to enter a vegetative state. Failure to properly treat infection – such as meningitis or encephalitis – may also be considered negligent and could lead to injury to the brain resulting in a coma or vegetative state.
In general, any brain injury, whether it is traumatic or not, can lead to a coma or vegetative state if severe. Ohio medical malpractice lawyers in Cleveland will evaluate and present evidence of negligence if handling a malpractice claim for the victim and his or her family. This may include medical expert testimony.
The general outlook for a patient in this state depends largely on:
In most cases, the younger the patient, the more likely he or she will recover. While there is no true treatment for a persistent vegetative state, doctors and caregivers can continue to care for the patient and ensure his or her health.
Caregivers will focus on:
Ohio medical malpractice lawyers can help Cleveland families recover compensation for these costs in a malpractice claim.
If a patient emerges from the vegetative state, he or she may do so gradually. Even then, it may be unlikely the patient will fully regain physical, cognitive and emotional abilities. If large areas of brain tissue have died, the likelihood of recovery from a vegetative state may be slimmer.
If a patient has fallen into a persistent vegetative state because of the negligence or error of a physician or surgeon, the patient and his or her family may have grounds for a legal claim and could be due compensation for resultant damages.
In Ohio, medical malpractice lawyers in Cleveland at Mellino Robenalt LLC can help. Victims and their families can call 440-333-3800 to schedule an appointment to discuss damages and filing a claim following malpractice that leads to a coma and/or a persistent vegetative state.
The post Coma and a Persistent Vegetative State Related to Medical Negligence first appeared on SEONewsWire.net.]]>