Seizures

A seizure is a sudden, uncontrolled burst of electrical activity in the brain. Depending on where it starts and how far it spreads, a seizure can cause convulsions and loss of consciousness, brief staring spells, jerking of one part of the body, confusion, or strange sensations. Epilepsy is a condition of repeated, unprovoked seizures.

The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke notes that having a seizure does not by itself mean a person has epilepsy, and gives first seizures, febrile seizures, and eclampsia as examples of conditions involving seizures that are not epilepsy. Seizures can also be triggered by head injuries, infections, low blood sugar, drug or alcohol withdrawal, and certain medications or toxic exposures.

Seizures come up in litigation in several ways. Some drugs have been linked to seizures as a side effect, and failure-to-warn claims may follow. Toxic exposures, including nicotine poisoning in children and some chemicals, can cause seizures. Birth injury cases sometimes involve newborn seizures caused by oxygen deprivation during delivery. Anti-seizure drugs themselves have been the subject of lawsuits over birth defects when taken during pregnancy. Head injuries from car crashes, falls, and defective products can lead to seizure disorders that last for years.

Evidence usually includes EEG results, brain imaging, neurology records, and a clear timeline tying the seizures to the drug, exposure, or event. Call 911 for a seizure lasting more than five minutes or a first-ever seizure. See our term pages on traumatic brain injury and nicotine poisoning, and our guide to mass torts.