Causes of a Traumatic Brain Injury Misdiagnosis

Traumatic brain injuries can be permanently disabling. If left untreated, head injuries can continue to progress, which could ultimately result in the death of healthy brain cells. It may surprise you to learn that traumatic brain injuries can be misdiagnosed.

The causes of a traumatic brain injury misdiagnosis can determine whether you have the right to file a Portland medical malpractice lawsuit against your healthcare provider. Here is more information about the prevalence of head injury misdiagnosis, how these mistakes happen, and what you can do about it.

Traumatic Brain Injury Misdiagnosis is More Common Than You Might Think

People often trust that their healthcare providers know what they are doing. And we should be able to. However, instances of misdiagnosis, particularly those involving traumatic brain injuries are far more common than you might have thought. For example, according to a study published in the National Library of Medicine, more than 50% of participants reported a missed traumatic brain injury.

Interestingly, according to the BMJ Open, less than 25% of patients visiting emergency rooms who were diagnosed with traumatic brain injuries had any mention of a brain injury in their medical records. When victims have been injured in certain types of accidents, such as car accidents, slips and falls, or product liability cases, a traumatic brain injury diagnosis may be more likely.

Top Reasons Why Brain Injuries Can Be Misdiagnosed

Injuries as severe as traumatic brain damage should never be misdiagnosed, especially considering how advanced medical technology is in the 2020s. However, there are many reasons why brain injuries can be misdiagnosed. In some instances, healthcare providers will mistake the symptoms of a brain injury as mental illness, dismissing the patient’s concerns.

Other times, symptoms may not be obvious or they may appear similar to those of another medical issue. Doctors who are overwhelmed with patients or encouraged to perform certain procedures to benefit the hospital may also misdiagnose brain injury patients. Being able to prove healthcare provider negligence in cases like these is crucial if you hope to hold them accountable and recover the compensation you deserve.

Do Not Let Your Healthcare Provider’s Negligence Go Unaddressed

Healthcare provider malpractice needs to be brought to light. Otherwise, other patients are also at risk of suffering serious injury or death. You may have the right to file a medical malpractice lawsuit or insurance claim against your healthcare provider, the hospital, or other liable parties.

If the insurance company is willing to offer you a settlement that covers the full value of your economic and non-economic damages, we may not need to go to trial. We may also be able to avoid going to trial if the negligent healthcare provider is willing to settle outside of court. However, if the defendant does not have enough insurance coverage or the insurer is unwilling to cover the total value of your damages, you may still be able to move forward with a medical malpractice lawsuit.

Connect With a Leading Medical Malpractice Lawyer for Help Today

If you suffered a catastrophic traumatic brain injury but your healthcare provider misdiagnosed you, you have the right to demand they be held accountable for their medical mistake. If your life was profoundly affected by this error, you may be entitled to compensation for the total value of your damages and suffering.

With help from a trial-proven Portland traumatic brain injury lawyer from Paulson Coletti Trial Attorneys PC, you do not have to go through the claims process alone. Our legal representatives will do everything possible to maximize your payout. Start working on your medical malpractice insurance claim and lawsuit as soon as today when you fill out our confidential contact form or call our office to schedule your no-cost, risk-free consultation.