Report: Chimp-attack victim may have brain damage

Hospital officials in Ohio say a Connecticut woman mauled by a 200-pound chimpanzee two weeks ago lost her hands, nose, lips and eyelids and may be blind and suffering brain damage.

The Cleveland Clinic said 55-year-old Charla Nash also lost the bone structure in her face when she was attacked on February 16 in Stamford.

The clinic revealed the specific injuries for the first time yesterday. Nash remains sedated in the hospital, which performed the nation's first face transplant in December. Hospital officials say it's too early to know if she will be a candidate for a face transplant.

Michael Nash, the victim's twin brother, had been considering filing a lawsuit on his sister's behalf after he was appointed her temporary conservator two weeks ago. The conservator is needed to make medical decisions after consulting with doctors, according to court papers.

Also in court papers, Michael Nash said the conservator status was needed to protect his sister's ability to recover damages in future litigation.

Authorities have not said whether the chimp's owner will face criminal charges. Connecticut state law allowed her to own the chimp as a pet.