Stroke Misdiagnosis and Medical Malpractice
Stroke is the fifth leading cause of death and a leading cause of long-term disability for Americans. According to the CDC, every three minutes and fourteen seconds, one person dies of a stroke. And when it comes to the frequency of stroke, research suggests that a stroke happens every forty seconds. A stroke occurs when blood flow to the brain is blocked, killing brain cells and damaging the brain. Prompt diagnosis and treatment are crucial if someone is to survive a stroke with the least amount of physical and mental damage. Unfortunately, stroke misdiagnosis is a common occurrence in the United States. In cases of a stroke misdiagnosis, victims and their families may have grounds for a medical malpractice claim. The Atlanta medical malpractice attorney at Carroll Law Firm can help you understand your legal rights if you or a family member were harmed due to a stroke misdiagnosis.
What Is Stroke Misdiagnosis?
A stroke misdiagnosis occurs when a healthcare provider fails to accurately identify a stroke in a patient experiencing symptoms indicating a stroke. A doctor may diagnose the wrong condition or fail to diagnose any condition. A stroke misdiagnosis can have serious consequences, including delayed treatment, incorrect or unnecessary treatment, worsened outcomes, disability, and even death.
Common Signs of Stroke
It is vital to understand the signs of a stroke. Recognizing the signs of a stroke can make a significant difference in the outcome. The following are some of the common signs of stroke:
- Sudden numbness or weakness in the face, legs, or arms
- Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes
- Sudden trouble speaking or understanding what others are saying
- Sudden trouble walking
- Loss of balance
- Dizziness
- Sudden, unexplainable headache
If you notice any of the above signs, you must act fast. Time is of the essence in stroke treatment.
What Causes Stroke Misdiagnosis?
A stroke misdiagnosis can occur for various reasons, some of which are unpreventable. However, it may be because a healthcare professional acted negligently. Negligence arises when a healthcare provider deviates from the accepted standard of care. The following are some of the negligence acts that can result in a stroke misdiagnosis:
- Failure to conduct appropriate tests
- Failure to gather a comprehensive medical history of the patient
- Misinterpreting tests
- Communication breakdown
- Biases, such as the belief that stroke only affects older people
Healthcare professionals who do not take time to evaluate a patient may diagnose them with the wrong condition because there are several other conditions whose symptoms mimic those of a stroke. Some conditions whose symptoms may mimic those of stroke include migraine headaches, seizures, and abnormal blood glucose levels.
Filing a Medical Malpractice Claim
When a stroke misdiagnosis results from medical negligence and causes harm, victims and their families may have grounds for filing a medical malpractice claim and seeking damages, including medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and emotional distress. If you or a loved one suffered harm due to a stroke misdiagnosis that could have been prevented, you should seek legal assistance. Medical malpractice claims can be challenging and complex. An attorney can help you gather evidence that supports your case, file your claim, navigate legal complexities, and advocate for your rights throughout the legal process.
Contact an Atlanta Medical Malpractice Attorney
Contact our qualified Atlanta medical malpractice attorney at Carroll Law Firm today to schedule a consultation.
Source:
cdc.gov/stroke/facts.htm#:~:text=Every%2040%20seconds%2C%20someone%20in%20the%20United%20States%20has%20a%20stroke.2%20Every%203%20minutes%20and%2014%20seconds%2C%20someone%20dies%20of%20stroke.1
