Making a medical negligence claim for delay in diagnosing stroke.
Kiera Shoemake looks at the legal issues in relation to delay in diagnosing stroke and the right of patients who have been adversely affected to claim compensation for medical negligence.
What is a stroke?
A stroke can occur when the brain’s blood supply is disrupted, either by a blockage in an artery or a burst blood vessel in the brain. A stroke can happen to anyone at any age, though it is more common in elderly people.
The known signs of a stroke include:
- Facial weakness, where one side of the face may droop;
- Arm weakness, where you may not be able to fully lift both arms and hold them in place; and
- Speech problems, which may include slurring words or sounding confused.
Other symptoms of a stroke can include: feeling dizzy, falling over, a severe headache or being sick.
The need for immediate medical treatment
Because of rapid onset it is important to receive medical attention as soon as possible in order to administer the clot-busting medication. This is because it is most effective when given within 4.5 hours of the stroke occurring.
The consequences of a stroke can be both neurological and physical. A stroke can cause brain damage, speech difficulties, visual problems, memory loss, confusion, difficulty in thinking, numbness or weakness in limbs, and balance issues.
Diagnosing and treating a stroke promptly is crucial if the long-term effects are to be minimised and recovery is to be as effective as possible. It is therefore important for medical professionals to recognise the signs of stroke because delay in administering the treatment can exacerbate its consequences and even cause them to be longer-lasting.
When a patient presents with a stroke, the treating clinician must be thorough in their investigation in order to diagnose the stroke. They must take a detailed history of the patient’s onset of symptoms, perform investigations such as CT scan of the brain to see if there is a clot, and to diagnose the type of stroke so as to be able to administer the correct treatment as soon as possible. If the patient is diagnosed promptly, it means that they are given the best chance at recovering from the long-term effects of the stroke.
How we can help you with a medical negligence claim for delay in diagnosing stroke.
Stroke can have a huge financial impact on a patient’s life, with a requirement for extra care around the home, private physiotherapy or speech therapy, and the need for specialist mobility equipment and expensive adaptations to your living accommodation. Furthermore all of this expense may come at a time when your earning capacity has been reduced.
In these circumstances patients often look to making a medical negligence claim to seek funding and compensation.
If you believe your stroke was not diagnosed as fast as possible, or was misdiagnosed, and you have suffered long-term effects as a result of the delay in diagnosis, then get in touch with our specialist team for a free consultation.
We are highly experienced in handling stroke claims and can work on a no win, no fee basis.
Call 0333 888 0404 or email us at [email protected]
