Your Loved One Is in a Coma: Could Medical Malpractice Be To Blame?

A violent accident. A sudden collapse. A fever that climbs higher and higher. Regardless of its cause, a coma plunges a patient’s family and friends into fear and uncertainty.

Discovering a loved one is in a coma can raise questions. Could it have been prevented? Are they getting appropriate treatment?

If you suspect medical negligence may be involved in your loved one’s coma, learn more about pursuing a Michigan medical malpractice claim.

What Is a Coma?

A coma is a disruption in brain activity that causes a prolonged loss of consciousness. A comatose person cannot respond to external stimuli like sounds or sensations. They may lose control of their reflexes and life-sustaining functions like breathing. Therefore, a coma is a medical emergency. Prompt diagnosis and immediate treatment are essential.  

Comas vary in severity, depending on the degree of disruption in brain activity. The Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) is the most widely used scale for grading the severity of a coma. It scores patients on their eye, motor, and verbal responses. A score of 15 is the highest possible. It indicates a patient is awake, aware of their surroundings, and can understand and respond to questions and commands. A score of 8 usually means a coma, and 3 indicates the deepest, most severe type of coma.

A coma usually doesn’t last longer than several weeks. Patients who recover from a coma may have permanent brain damage, leading to long-term physical and cognitive impairments. Brain function can diminish after long periods of coma, eventually leading to a persistent vegetative state or brain death.

What Causes a Coma?

A coma can occur in response to an external cause (like a blow to the head) or an internal issue (such as a blocked blood vessel or tissue inflammation). Common causes of coma include:

• Traumatic head injuries.
• Oxygen deprivation.
• Stroke or aneurysm.
• Brain tumor.
• Drug or alcohol intoxication.
• Chronic illnesses, such as diabetes, hypertension, and epilepsy.
• Infection.

Sometimes, doctors deliberately induce coma using medication or extreme cold. This drastic measure can protect the brain and allow it to heal after a severe injury or illness. Doctors must carefully monitor the patient’s condition while they are in a medically induced coma. If the patient’s injury or illness improves, doctors can carefully and gradually bring them back to consciousness.  

How Could Medical Malpractice Cause a Coma?

Healthcare providers owe their patients a “duty of care.” They must provide treatment that meets a certain level of care and competence. If a healthcare provider falls short of this standard and harms a patient, they may be liable for malpractice. The patient or their loved one may sue to recover compensation for their damages.

Medical providers may be liable for malpractice if their negligence caused a person’s coma. In some instances, they may also bear responsibility for failing to prevent coma. Examples of potential situations that may constitute malpractice include:

• Failure to diagnose or treat a disease or condition such as diabetes, epilepsy, or hypertension.
• Failure to diagnose or treat a traumatic brain injury.
• Mistakes in prescribing or administering medication.
• Surgical and anesthesia errors.
• Failure to diagnose or treat a stroke or infection.
• Infections caused by unhygienic treatment conditions or environments.
• Failure to monitor a patient’s vital signs.

Providers may also be liable for failing to recognize the signs of coma or negligently caring for a patient suffering from coma.

Michigan Medical Malpractice Claims

While your loved one is in a coma, they cannot make decisions for themselves. An attorney can help you understand how you can help them make medical and financial decisions. You may be able to pursue legal action on their behalf.

Coma survivors may need physical and cognitive therapy during their recovery. They may have permanent mental and physical disabilities. Medical expenses, lost wages, and other costs related to a coma can amount to hundreds of thousands of dollars. Their emotional trauma, pain, and suffering can be devastating.

An experienced attorney can help assess whether your loved one’s coma is due to negligence. If so, a medical malpractice or wrongful death claim may help compensate you for these costs. Medical malpractice claims in Michigan have many procedural requirements, including time limits to provide notice of your claim and file a lawsuit. Contact an experienced medical malpractice attorney immediately to discuss your options and protect your rights.