Nerve injuries can be debilitating, affecting the body’s ability to function correctly.
They can result from various causes, including accidents, medical procedures, and workplace incidents.
Nerve injuries can lead to chronic pain, loss of sensation, and limited mobility, greatly impacting your quality of life.
In addition to the pain of recovery, you may be unable to work and worried about how to pay your bills.
If you have suffered nerve damage due to the wrongful actions of another, you don’t have to face the aftermath alone.
An experienced nerve injury lawyer, like the medical malpractice attorneys at Poulos & Coates, can provide valuable guidance and advocacy and will fight for the compensation you deserve for your pain, suffering, and medical expenses.
What Are the 3 Types of Nerve Injury?
So, what is a nerve injury, and how does one affect a victim’s life? Nerve injuries are generally classified into three main types: neurapraxia, axonotmesis, and neurotmesis, each varying in severity and requiring different approaches to treatment and recovery.
Neurapraxia
Neurapraxia is the mildest form of nerve injury and typically occurs due to nerve compression or mild stretching. In this type of injury, there is a temporary loss of function without any structural damage to the nerve.
Neurapraxia is characterized by a temporary interruption in nerve conduction, leading to symptoms such as numbness, tingling, or weakness. Fortunately, neurapraxia often resolves independently within a few weeks to months as the nerve recovers its function.
Axonotmesis
Axonotmesis is a more severe form of nerve injury that involves damage to the axons, which are the long projections of nerve cells responsible for transmitting signals. Unlike neurapraxia, where the nerve structure remains intact, axonotmesis damages the axons themselves.
This type of injury can occur due to more severe compression, stretching, or crushing of the nerve. Recovery from axonotmesis can take several months to years and may require surgical intervention, especially in cases where there is significant damage to the axons.
Neurotmesis
Neurotmesis is the most severe type of nerve injury and involves a complete severing of the nerve. In this type of injury, both the axons and the connective tissue surrounding the nerve (known medically as epineurium) are damaged.
Neurotmesis requires surgical repair to reconnect the nerve ends and restore function. However, even with surgical intervention, full recovery of nerve function may not always be possible, and the extent of recovery can vary depending on factors such as the location and extent of the injury.
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Common Causes of Nerve Injuries
Nerve injuries can happen in many ways, but sadly, one of the more common ways is through medical malpractice. While we trust medical professionals to give us the best care possible, this isn’t always true.
Errors during medical procedures, such as surgical mistakes, anesthesia errors, or misdiagnosis, can lead to severe nerve damage.
For example, surgical errors, including accidental cuts or damage to nerves during surgery, can result in long-term consequences for the patient, including chronic pain, numbness, or loss of function.
Anesthesia errors, such as administering the wrong dosage or improperly monitoring a patient’s condition, can also lead to nerve damage and other serious complications.
Additionally, misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis of conditions affecting the nerves, such as spinal cord injuries or nerve compression syndromes, can result in further injury and complications.
Other Common Causes
Other common causes of nerve injuries include:
- Motor vehicle accidents,
- Workplace incidents,
- Slip and fall accidents,
- Sports injuries,
- Assault or other trauma, and
- Medical conditions.
These examples illustrate the diverse situations that can result in nerve injuries. If you or a loved one has suffered due to nerve damage, it’s essential to seek legal help as soon as possible.
At Poulos & Coates, our nerve injury lawyer team has experience representing victims of medical negligence and their families and can help you along the path to recovery.
Possible Legal Claims for Nerve Injuries
Nerve injuries can lead to various legal claims, depending on the circumstances of the injury. One of the primary reasons someone might seek legal recourse after a nerve injury is medical malpractice.
Medical malpractice occurs when a healthcare provider fails to provide the standard of care expected in their profession, harming the patient.
Nerve injuries can result from surgical errors, misdiagnosis, medication errors, or other forms of medical negligence. In New Mexico, medical malpractice claims require the injured party to prove:
- The existence of a doctor-patient relationship,
- The healthcare provider’s deviation from the accepted standard of care,
- A causal connection between the healthcare provider’s negligence and the nerve injury, and
- Damages resulting from the nerve injury.
Other claims an injured party might pursue include negligence, product liability, and workers’ compensation claims. Navigating the legal process for nerve injury claims can be complex and often requires the expertise of experienced attorneys familiar with New Mexico’s laws.
Seeking legal representation can help ensure that injured individuals understand their rights and options for pursuing compensation.
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Damages for Nerve Injuries in Medical Malpractice Cases in New Mexico
In New Mexico, victims of nerve injuries resulting from medical malpractice may be entitled to various damages. These damages aim to compensate the victim for the losses and suffering caused by the medical provider’s negligence.
Compensatory Damages
Compensatory (also known as economic) damages are intended to compensate the victim for financial losses directly resulting from the nerve injury. This may include medical expenses incurred to treat the injury, such as hospital bills, surgical costs, rehabilitation expenses, and any ongoing medical care.
Compensatory damages may also cover lost wages and loss of earning capacity if the nerve injury prevents the victim from working or reduces their ability to earn income.
General Damages
General (also called non-economic damages) are designed to compensate the victim for the non-financial impacts of the nerve injury, such as pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life.
These damages are more subjective and can vary widely based on the nature and severity of the nerve injury and its impact on the victim’s life.
Punitive Damages and Medical Malpractice Damages Cap
Punitive damages may be awarded in cases of gross negligence or intentional harm by the medical provider. The intention of punitive damages is to punish the wrongdoer and deter others from engaging in similar misconduct but are rarely awarded unless the conduct is particularly egregious.
Like some other states, New Mexico has a cap for medical malpractice claims, updated yearly to reflect inflation. In 2024, damages are capped at $1,000,000, not counting punitive damages.
How Long Does a Nerve Injury Take to Heal?
Nerve injuries can vary in their severity and duration. While some nerve injuries may resolve on their own within days or weeks, others can permanently impact a person’s life.
Nerve damage can result in chronic pain, numbness, weakness, and loss of function, significantly affecting a person’s quality of life and ability to work or perform daily activities.
Seeking help from a medical malpractice attorney is crucial for individuals who have suffered nerve injuries due to medical negligence.
An experienced nerve injury lawyer, like a member of the medical malpractice team at Poulos and Coates, can help victims understand their rights, navigate the legal process, and seek the proper compensation for their injuries.
Take Action Now – Call Our Las Cruces Nerve Injury Lawyer Right Away
Nerve injuries can negatively impact your life in many ways. If you believe you were the victim of medical malpractice and suffered nerve injuries as a result, call us today.
With decades of combined experience and a proven track record of successful outcomes, you can trust Poulos & Coates to fight for your rights and be your guide every step of the way. Call us to schedule a consultation at (575) 218-7873, or fill out our online contact form to get started.
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