Comas are common in the medical world and are simply a lengthy state of unconsciousness in which the patient is alive but unable to move or respond to their immediate environment. It’s estimated that 135 people per 100,000 end up in a coma annually in the UK, which shows that they do happen but are mostly uncommon to much of the population.
There are many causes of comas too and no two incidents tend to be the same. Strokes or medically induced comas are among the more common causes but one other that we’re going to highlight in more detail within this article is medical malpractice. Medical professionals can cause a lengthy state of unconsciousness through their negligence, and this can sometimes have fatal consequences.
To help you understand more about comas caused by medical malpractice, what the signs are when this has happened, and what you should do about it, we’ve put together a comprehensive guide below. We know how frightening this situation can be and so, knowing what to do and how to act is vital. Read on to learn more.
How does malpractice result in a coma?
Some patients can be in extremely fragile states when they enter a medical facility and without proper care and attention from the medical professionals, they could end up in a life-threatening coma. Here are some examples of malpractice leading to comas:
- Failure to diagnose an underlying condition that could lead to a stroke. This can then result in a coma as the brain doesn’t have the right amount of oxygen to function.
- Improper monitoring of the patient's condition could lead to a lack of oxygen, which can cause the body to shut down.
- General medical errors like overdoses of medicine could lead to the patient falling unconscious.
- Aesthetic could be administered incorrectly and too much can lead to them falling into a coma.
How long can someone survive a coma?
The dangers of a coma are that they can be deadly and there’s not always much that the medical professional can do to pull them out of it either. On average, comas can last up to four weeks but can last many months or years in rare cases. As time goes on, however, the chances of survival get bleaker for patients.
How can you claim compensation when malpractice has led to a coma?
If you or a loved one has suffered at the hands of inept medical care, then you may be owed compensation. Fortunately, the process is relatively simple with the NHS settling around 75% of claims before they go to trial. To give yourself the best chance of being successful, we recommend hiring specialist medical negligence lawyers to give you further support and guidance in your time of need.
Comas are a difficult time for any family to navigate and that’s especially true when the comas could’ve been avoided with proper care from medical professionals. If you’re currently dealing with this, then make sure you try to get the compensation you need to rebuild your life after this event.