Stroke Malpractice by Miami Hospitals
Stroke Misdiagnosis Attorneys Representing Victims and Families in Miami
Having a stroke is a leading cause of long-term severe disability and death in the United States, with over 795,000 occurring each year. In the US, someone suffers a stroke every 40 seconds and someone dies from a stroke every 3.5 minutes.
A stroke occurs when blood flow to the brain is interrupted by a blockage or rupture of an artery. The lack of oxygenated blood in the brain results in damage to brain tissue. The most common types of strokes are ischemic strokes, which means the blood supply to the brain is blocked by a blood clot. Less common types of stroke are a hemorrhagic stroke, a transient ischemic attack (mini-stroke), a brain stem stroke, and a cryptogenic stroke.
When you have any type of stroke, getting proper medical care can mean the difference between life and death. Sadly, sometimes things go wrong during the treatment. In these instances, you may be eligible for compensation under strict guidelines set forth by state and federal governments.
If you or your loved one are a stroke patient that has been denied appropriate medical attention due to negligence on the part of a hospital or healthcare professional, contact the skilled attorneys at Kaire & Heffernan today by calling 866-769-0123. We can help you prove medical malpractice occurred and will fight to get you fair compensation.
Stroke and Medical Malpractice
Doctors and other medical providers have a duty to properly diagnose and treat patients who present with symptoms consistent with a stroke. It is essential for a doctor to recognize the early warning signs of a stroke and act upon those findings.
It is also essential to know what actions should be taken if a stroke does occur. Unfortunately, many physicians fail to identify potential stroke indicators or fail to take an adequate course of action once a stroke is suspected. This failure to administer immediate and appropriate medical care can prove disastrous for stroke victims.
For example, a transient ischemic attack can be a sign that a full acute stroke is coming soon. It has most of the same stroke symptoms as an acute ischemic stroke – dizziness, nausea, headache, loss of vision in one eye, loss of balance, facial droop – but unlike a full-blown stroke, it will eventually resolve itself.
Whenever a patient suffers a transient ischemic attack, it is imperative that the patient is placed in the intensive care unit. They must be monitored and checked every two hours to check for symptoms of an impending stroke.
If a physician or hospital fails to take these steps, they can face medical malpractice lawsuits related to negligence.
Treatment for Strokes
Once a stroke is diagnosed, it must be treated as promptly as possible. The most critical window for intervention is within the first 4.5 hours of onset. As soon as a stroke starts, time is of the essence. Delays in getting the right treatment could result in permanent damage to the brain.
It is important for a doctor to consider their options carefully, as well as the benefits and risks of each procedure. For example, a clot-dissolving medication called tPA (tissue plasminogen activator) administered intravenously must be used shortly after the stroke diagnosis. If doctors delay administering this medication, it could cause more harm than good.
Care providers should always review stroke patients’ medical history before deciding on the best course of treatment, especially if the patient has experienced a prior stroke.
If you think you are a victim of medical malpractice related to a stroke, reach out to Kaire & Heffernan for advice and guidance on filing a medical malpractice lawsuit. We will build your medical malpractice case, negotiate on your behalf, and go to trial if necessary. Our experienced team will fight for you!
Contact Kaire & Heffernan – Medical Malpractice Lawsuits for a Stroke
When the hospital misses the signs of a stroke, malpractice may be the root cause. If your loved one died or was disabled by a preventable stroke, contact the attorneys at Kaire & Heffernan for a free consultation to discuss your legal options. Call us at 866-769-0123 today!
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