The moment you realize your child’s brain has been damaged during medical care can feel like a nightmare. What should have been routine treatment becomes a life-altering occurrence when preventable medical errors cause oxygen deprivation, surgical complications, or medication mistakes that forever change a child’s cognitive abilities and developmental potential.
At Davis & Davis, our Houston medical malpractice attorneys understand the profound impact childhood brain injuries have on families across Texas and nationwide. With nearly 70 years of combined experience and our exclusive focus on fighting for victims of medical malpractice, we are trial-tested and proven in helping families seek justice when medical negligence causes devastating brain injuries to children.
How Does Medical Negligence Cause Childhood Brain Injuries
Childhood brain injuries resulting from medical malpractice occur when healthcare providers fail to meet the accepted standard of care during treatment. These injuries can happen at any stage of a child’s medical care, from birth through adolescence. Unlike traumatic brain injuries from accidents, medically-caused brain damage often stems from oxygen deprivation, medication errors, surgical mistakes, or failure to properly monitor and respond to complications.
Why Children Are More Vulnerable
The developing brain is particularly vulnerable because children’s skulls are thinner and their brain tissue is softer than that of adults. When medical professionals make preventable errors, the resulting damage can be more severe and have longer-lasting effects. Brain injuries in children may not become apparent immediately, sometimes taking months or years before the full extent of cognitive or developmental delays becomes clear.
Medical professionals have a duty to recognize risk factors and take appropriate precautions when treating pediatric patients. Proper monitoring during procedures and prompt response to complications are essential to preventing brain injuries in children.
Recognizing Signs of Brain Injury in Children
Parents may notice various warning signs following their child’s medical treatment. Physical symptoms can include persistent headaches, vomiting, seizures, or changes in coordination and balance. Behavioral changes often manifest as increased irritability, sudden mood swings, difficulty sleeping, or regression in previously learned skills.
Cognitive symptoms may include problems with memory, concentration difficulties, trouble learning new information, or changes in speech patterns. In infants and toddlers, signs might be more subtle, such as changes in feeding patterns, excessive crying, or delays in reaching developmental milestones.
Warning Signs Requiring Immediate Medical Attention
If your child experiences any of the following symptoms after medical procedures, you should seek immediate medical evaluation:
- Severe headaches that worsen over time or don’t respond to medication
- Repeated vomiting, especially when accompanied by other neurological symptoms
- Seizures or convulsions of any kind
- Loss of consciousness or periods of confusion
- Changes in pupil size or pupils not responding normally to light
- Weakness in arms, legs, or other parts of the body
- Significant personality changes or extreme behavioral shifts
Early intervention is crucial for minimizing long-term effects and beginning appropriate treatment.
How to Support Your Child’s Brain Injury Recovery and Development
Recovery from childhood brain injuries requires comprehensive, long-term care involving multiple medical specialists. Pediatric neurologists, occupational therapists, physical therapists, and speech therapists often work together to help children regain lost functions and develop coping strategies for permanent limitations.
Educational and Financial Considerations
Educational support becomes crucial as children with brain injuries may require specialized learning plans, additional classroom assistance, or placement in programs designed for children with cognitive challenges. The financial burden can be overwhelming, involving years of medical treatments, therapy sessions, specialized equipment needs, and educational expenses throughout the child’s life, similar to the long-term costs associated with surgical errors and other forms of medical malpractice. With the help of our skilled lawyers at Davis & Davis, you have the best chance of achieving compensation for these losses related to your child’s injury.
Legal Support for Families Affected by Medical Malpractice
When medical negligence causes your child’s brain injury, you may be entitled to compensation for medical expenses, future care costs, lost earning capacity, and pain and suffering. Texas law provides a two-year statute of limitations for filing medical malpractice lawsuits, making prompt legal consultation essential for protecting your family’s rights.
Our Investigation Process
Our legal team conducts thorough investigations to determine whether medical malpractice caused your child’s injury. We work with medical professionals to review treatment records, analyze whether healthcare providers met accepted standards of care, and establish the connection between negligent actions and your child’s resulting brain injury. Remember, insurance companies are not looking out for your best interests. Their objective is to reach a settlement for the minimum amount you will accept.
Contact Davis & Davis for Comprehensive Legal Support for Your Child’s Brain Injury
No family should face the devastating effects of childhood brain injuries alone, especially when medical negligence is the cause. Our Houston-based legal team has dedicated nearly seven decades to fighting for victims of medical malpractice, including complex cases involving childhood brain injuries. We understand the unique challenges these injuries present and work tirelessly to secure the resources your family needs.
While we are based in Texas, our attorneys handle medical malpractice cases nationwide. We operate on a no upfront fees basis, meaning you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for your family. Contact Davis & Davis today at (713) 781-5200 or through our contact form to schedule your free case evaluation and learn how we can help your family seek justice and secure your child’s future.
