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Subdural Hematoma/Brain Bleed

Even minor head trauma can put excessive force on the brain that may result in inter-cranial bleed (commonly referred to as a subdural hematoma).  Subdural hematomas occur when blood vessels burst in the space between the brain and the outermost membrane that covers the brain (dura mater).

The collection of blood forms a hematoma, which puts pressure on the brain tissue. When the pressure from an active bleed builds and goes unrelieved, people can suffer serious injuries or even death.

After any injury to the head, doctors and hospitals need to be tuned in to patient complaints and be mindful of the symptoms of a subdural hematoma.  When identified early, patients who sustain a head injury are more likely to have better outcome and survival rate.

Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers represents clients who have sustained subdural hematomas due to trauma or falls in medical facilities. Our lawyers are available to speak with you for a free consultation at any time. (888) 424-5757

Related materials from Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers:

Frequently undiagnosed and under-appreciated, falls amongst the elderly can frequently result in brain bleeds or technically termed ‘subdural hamatoas’.   Because elderly are predisposed to developing subdural hamatomas, staff in nursing homes and hospitals need to be tuned into the symptoms and when to seek additional medical care.

A subdural hematoma is a type of intracranial bleeding (hemorrhage), caused by head injury.  Subdural hematomas occur when blood vessels burst in the space between the brain and the outermost membrane that covers the brain (dura mater).  The collection of blood forms a hematoma, which puts pressure on the brain tissue.

Everyday nursing home residents fall.  Much like a toddler learning to walk, some falls are unpreventable.  Nursing home residents remain the highest risk for falling and getting injured compared with any other demographic.  The most fall prone must be identified identified by the nursing home staff.  Identification of individuals who are at ‘high risk’ for falling is only part of the solution.

After reading this newspaper article of a Montana woman who fell four times during a 35 day stay at a nursing home, I was reminded of how important is is for nursing homes to have adequate fall protection in place.  Despite the fact that this resident had a medical history which put her at high-risk for falls, the facility did not take precautions.  Moreover, the facility had three opportunities to put fall prevention measures into effect before the last episode when the resident fell and suffered a cerebral hemorrhage….

Coumadin (generic name – Warfarin), is an anticoagulant (blood thinning medication) that is commonly used to help treat and prevent blood clots that could cause a heart attack, stroke, or pulmonary embolism.  This prescription medication works by blocking the creation of certain clotting mechanisms, which prevents blood clots from forming.  The goal of warfarin therapy is to decrease the clotting tendency of blood but not to prevent clotting altogether.

Recognizing the significant threat that ‘falls’ pose to patients in nursing homes, federal regulations impose a duty on facilities to assess each patient at the time they are admitted (and similarly reassess on a regular basis) to determine the likelihood of the patient is at risk falling and then create a plan of care for the facility to implement to minimize the frequency and severity of any ensuing injury.

Given the significant risk of serious fall-related injuries— or even death, fall precautions need to be made a priority at all long term care facilities caring for the elderly.  While some fall precautions may be customized to the patient’s indvidual needs, many experts in geriatric care suggest the following common sense precautions at all facilities….