Stroke Misdiagnosis Information
In Washington & Oregon
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WHAT IS A STROKE?
A sudden blockage or rupture of a blood vessel in the brain, cutting off blood supply to a portion of the brain and the death of brain cells. Depending on the severity of the damage and the portion of the brain affected, a stroke can cause loss of consciousness, paralysis, loss of speech, loss of the use of a limb, other neurological problems, or, if severe, death. A majority of strokes are ischemic strokes, caused by the formation of a blood clot in a vessel supplying blood to the brain. A minority of strokes are hemorrhagic strokes, caused by the rupture or leakage from a blood vessel. A stroke is also known as a cerebrovascular accident or "CV".
DID YOUR DOCTOR MISDIAGNOSE OR TAKE TOO LONG TO DIAGNOSE YOUR STROKE?
Over half a million people will have strokes in the United States this year, and around 20% of them will die. Thousands more will have to live with complications and disabilities from their strokes. The negative effects of stroke can often be minimized with prompt diagnosis and treatment. In some cases, stroke victims will not get the prompt treatment they need due to medical negligence. Doctors may delay testing or medication too long, or they may misdiagnosis the stroke and even send the patient home from the emergency room with another diagnosis entirely.
Prompt emergency room care for a stroke can mean the difference between life and death or long-term disability. It is a condition for which speedy care is absolutely crucial.
If you have concerns or doubts about whether a doctor did not diagnose your stroke - or that of a loved one - you owe it to yourself and your family to find out for sure. Contact an attorney at Fuller & Fuller for a FREE consultation. Our firm has been associated with many failure to diagnose stroke cases. To determine whether you have a strong claim, these are among the factors that are analyzed:
- Whether the malpractice took place within the time allowed to bring a claim, or whether it is barred by the statute of limitations;
- Whether the delay in diagnosis was longer than is reasonable by the standards of the medical community in which the doctor practices. Did the doctor keep the patient waiting too long in the hospital or, even worse, just send the patient home?
- Whether the doctor failed to get a complete patient history. There are many risk factors for stroke and obtaining a thorough patient history assists a doctor in arriving at a diagnosis of stroke;
- Whether the doctor failed to order the necessary tests, or failed to interpret them correctly when he got the results. A normal CT scan, for example, does not rule out a stroke;
- Whether the doctor failed to administer the necessary medication. Clot busters, in particular, are most effective when administered within a short time of the stroke;
- Whether the doctor failed to perform any necessary medical procedures or surgical procedures;
- Whether the delay caused the patient serious harm or death or permanent disability; and
- How much money in damages would be appropriate to compensate the patient, or the patient's spouse or family members.
You have nothing to lose by consulting with an attorney. It is always in your best interest to learn about your legal options and make sure that your legal rights are preserved. A medical malpractice case is also about righting a wrong, holding the medical community responsible, and raising the level of care so that the same thing does not happen to another patient.
Remember that you are always entitled to proper care in the emergency room even if you have no medical insurance or are a member of an HMO.
COMMON SYMPTOMS OF STROKE
Whenever you have symptoms that may be a stroke, call 911 immediately! Don't decide to wait and see if the symptoms go away. Prompt treatment is your best chance of avoiding serious damage to your brain.
The symptoms of a stroke may include some of the following. Some strokes come on quickly and may cause a sudden onset of symptoms. Other strokes take time to develop, and symptoms may develop over hours or days.
- Trouble understanding speech or trouble speaking;
- Numbness, weakness or paralysis, especially when it is on only one side of the body, or temporary weakness or tingling in a limb;
- Confusion;
- Loss of consciousness;
- Dizziness, loss of balance, trouble walking, loss of coordination, and falls;
- Severe headache;
- Loss of vision or dim vision in one or both eyes.
- A mini-stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA) may be a precursor to a full stroke. Prompt diagnosis and treatment of the TIA may prevent a larger serious stroke.
Remember, stroke is the number three cause of death in this country. You can take charge of your health care by reducing your risk factors, knowing the symptoms of a stroke, getting help promptly, and making sure that your doctor gives you appropriate treatment.
Early detection and treatment of strokes can prevent serious brain damage. If you are concerned that your doctor did not detect or treat your stroke soon enough, please contact Fuller & Fuller, Attorneys, for a free evaluation of your claim . Fuller & Fuller is a family of medical malpractice lawyers serving residents of Washington state or Oregon.
Contact our Stroke Misdiagnosis lawyers
Fuller & Fuller is a family of medical malpractice and serious injury lawyers serving residents of Washington and Oregon.
