Medical Negligence in Neurosurgery: What You Need to Know
Neurosurgery is one of the most complex and delicate areas of medicine. It involves surgical procedures on the brain, spinal cord, and nerves - parts of the body that control vital functions like movement, speech, and memory. When something goes wrong in neurosurgery, the consequences can be devastating. In some cases, these mistakes are unavoidable. But in others, they result from medical negligence.
What IsMedical Negligence in Neurosurgery?
Medical negligence happens when a healthcare professional provides care that falls below the accepted standard, and this causes harm to the patient. In neurosurgery, even small errors can lead to life-changing injuries - or, in the worst cases, death.
Examples of medical negligence in neurosurgery include:
- Misdiagnosing or delaying the diagnosis of a brain tumour or spinal condition
- Operating on the wrong part of the brain or spine
- Damage to surrounding nerves or brain tissue during surgery
- Failure to control bleeding or swelling in the brain post-surgery
- Leaving surgical instruments inside the patient
- Inadequate monitoring after surgery, leading to complications such as infection or stroke
- Failing to inform the patient about the risks of the surgery
How toIdentify Medical Negligence After Neurosurgery
If you or a loved one has recently undergone neurosurgery and something doesn’t feel right, it’s important to be aware of the signs of possible negligence. Some red flags to look out for include:
- Unexplained or worsening symptoms: Such as severe headaches, weakness, paralysis, or vision problems after surgery.
- Delays in treatment or poor communication: If doctors were slow to act or failed to explain what went wrong.
- Repeat surgeries: If a second operation is needed to correct a mistake made during the first.
- Sudden decline in condition: Especially when no clear cause is given.
It’s not always easy to know whether what happened was a known risk or a preventable error. That’s where specialist medical negligence lawyers can help. At Tomlin and Partners, we work with independent medical experts who can review your case and determine whether your care was negligent.
Consequences of Neurosurgical Negligence
The effects of negligent neurosurgery can be long-lasting and traumatic.Depending on the error, a patient may experience:
- Permanent brain damage
- Paralysis or loss of mobility
- Seizures or epilepsy
- Memory loss or cognitive impairment
- Incontinence or loss of bowel/bladder control
- Chronic pain or reduced quality of life
- Psychological distress, including PTSD or depression
- In some tragic cases, death
For families, the emotional and financial burden can be overwhelming. Many patients need long-term care, specialist equipment, or modifications to their home. If the patient was a primary earner, the loss of income adds to the strain.
What Can You Do if You Suspect Neurosurgical Negligence?
If you believe you or a loved one has been harmed due to poor neurosurgical care, you may be entitled to compensation. A successful claim can help cover:
- Loss of earnings
- Cost of ongoing treatment or rehabilitation
- Care and support at home
- Pain and suffering
- Travel expenses for medical appointments
- Specialist equipment or housing modifications
At Tomlin and Partners, we offer a “No win no fee medical negligence” service across the UK. That means you won’t pay us anything unless we win your case. Our experienced team will guide you through every step of the process with care and professionalism.
Why Choose Tomlin and Partners?
We’re a boutique law firm that focuses entirely on helping victims of medical errors. Contact Us Today.
If you think you’ve been affected by medical negligence in neurosurgery, don’t wait. Time limits apply to most claims, and it’s important to start gathering evidence early. Contact Tomlin and Partners today for a free consultation with one of our clinical negligence solicitors.