Stroke Misdiagnosis Attorneys Representing Victims And Families In Miami

Strokes are a leading cause of long-term severe disability and death in the United States, with over 795,000 occurrences each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). In the U.S., 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 type of stroke is an ischemic stroke, which occurs when the blood supply to the brain is blocked by a blood clot. Less common types of strokes are hemorrhagic strokes, transient ischemic attacks (mini strokes), brain stem strokes and cryptogenic strokes.

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 is a stroke patient who has been denied appropriate medical attention due to negligence on the part of a hospital or health care professional, contact us, the skilled attorneys at Kaire & Heffernan, PLLC, today. 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 show symptoms consistent with a stroke. It is essential for a doctor to recognize the early warning signs of a stroke and act on 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 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 (ICU). They must be monitored and checked every two hours 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 four-and-a-half 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 tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) 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 a stroke patient’s 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 us at 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. We are an experienced team that will fight for you.

Contact Kaire & Heffernan About Stroke Medical Malpractice Lawsuits

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 us for a free consultation to discuss your legal options. Call us at 305-376-7860 or reach out to us online today.

Related information:

  • How Medical Malpractice Could Cause a Stroke
  • Stroke Malpractice Case Seeks to Hold Hospital Responsible
  • Court Finds in Favor of Stroke Victim
  • Strokes Rising Among People Under 45

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