Failure to Diagnose and Treat Stroke Leading to Harm

Most people are aware that a stroke is a medical emergency. People are often taught the acronym FAST (facial drooping, arm weakness, speech difficulties, and time) to help identify an individual who may be having a stroke. What happens if an individual suffering from a stroke does not receive the proper care that they need? The results can be devastating, potentially leaving victims severely disabled or even sadly deceased. All physicians and healthcare providers are taught to identify potential stroke victims which should lead to a timely diagnosis and treatment for these patients. Unfortunately, there are times when a healthcare provider may fail to diagnose a stroke, or the patient may not be triaged appropriately, leading to a delay in diagnosis or treatment. The result of these failures can be devastating, and when this occurs it is considered to be medical malpractice. 

What Happens When a Person Has a Stroke?

A person experiences a stroke when there is a lack of blood flow to the brain, leading to the brain experiencing oxygen deprivation. As a result of this, it causes brain damage. There is more than one type of stroke that a person may experience. Types of strokes include the following:

• Hemorrhagic – This type of stroke occurs due to an artery in the brain rupturing, leading to a leaking of blood, which subsequently puts pressure on the brain. 
• Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA) – This type of stroke is often referred to as a “mini-stroke”. People who experience this type of stroke do not usually sustain long-term damage, but are at very high risk of experiencing a major stroke. A TIA only causes a blockage of blood flow to the brain for a short period of time (i.e. five minutes or less).
• Ischemic Stroke – Ischemic strokes occur when there is a blockage in an artery, leading to a blockage of blood flow. The most common cause of ischemic strokes are blood clots. 

How is a Stroke Diagnosed? 

A stroke is often diagnosed with a few of the following:

• Physical exam – a patient may come in experiencing the hallmark symptoms of stroke, leading to further investigation of symptoms
• MRI – MRIs are often used to identify stroke
• CT – CT scans are another method used to identify stroke, although MRI is preferred 
• CT angiogram – CT angiograms are performed to get a picture of the blood vessels in the brain
• CT Perfusion – this type of CT is performed to assess the blood flow in the brain
• MRA – MR angiography is used to to look at the blood vessels in the brain. Often times they also perform MR perfusion to identify if there is any brain damage present. 

Treatment for Stroke Patients

Common treatment for stroke patients include the following:

• tPA – This type of drug is used to dissolve a clot that may be causing the patient’s stroke
• Surgical procedures – Often times, surgical procedures are required in order to stop the bleeding.
• Endovascular procedures – These types of procedures may also be used to treat hemorrhagic strokes. These types of procedures involve a tube being inserted into an artery in the arm or leg leading to the site of the leaking blood vessel. A coil or other device is then installed to repair the weak vessel and prevent bleeding. 

Medical Malpractice Related Causes of a Delay in Diagnosis or Treatment of Stroke

While a delay in diagnosis or treatment of a stroke can happen for reasons that are not due to medical malpractice (i.e a delay in the patient seeking treatment), there are times in which a patient seeks out treatment, but there is a delay in the treatment of or diagnosis of a stroke, leading to permanent brain damage or even death. Examples of medical malpractice related causes of harm due to a delay in diagnosis or treatment of stroke include the following:

• Failure to appropriately triage a patient
• Failure to obtain appropriate imaging
• Misdiagnosis of the patient, leading to a delay in diagnosis and treatment
• Unsafe staffing ratios
• Lack of experienced staff
• Diagnosis of a patient in a timely manner, but a delay in initiating treatment 
• Failure to follow the protocol for stroke patients
• Failure to appropriately assess a patient, leading to a delay in diagnosis or treatment of stroke

Damages Stroke Victims and Their Families May be Eligible For

When a person needlessly suffers harm due to another individual’s mistake, they are often eligible for something called damages. Damages are awarded to help compensate for any injuries that the person may have. Most times, damages are awarded monetarily. Examples of damages that a stroke victim may be eligible for include the following:

• Physical pain and suffering
• Loss of consortium
• Emotional pain and suffering
• Assistive devices (i.e. wheelchair, walker, etc.)
• Rehabilitative care
• Long-term care (i.e. nursing home, etc.)
• Home care
• Funeral and burial expenses (if applicable)
• Lost wages
• Medical bills

Injuries Caused by a Failure to Diagnose a Stroke Could be Medical Malpractice: Call Our Law Firm

If you or a loved one have been seriously injured or killed as a result of medical malpractice contact the Oregon Medical Malpractice Lawyers at Kuhlman Law at our number below or fill out the intake form.  We offer a free initial case evaluation and handle cases on a contingency fee which means that you pay no money unless we recover.

Our law firm handles cases throughout the state including Bend and Portland Oregon, Redmond, Central Oregon, Sisters, Madras, Multnomah County, Deschutes County, Salem, Eugene, Corvallis, Lane County, Medford, Gresham, La Grande, Albany, Medford, Beaverton, Umatilla, Pendleton,  Cottage Grove, Florence, Oregon City, Springfield, Keizer, Grants Pass, McMinnville, Tualatin, West Linn, Forest Grove, Wilsonville, Newberg, Roseburg, Lake Oswego, Klamath Falls, Happy Valley, Tigard, Ashland, Milwakie, Coos Bay, The Dalles,  St. Helens, Sherwood, Central Point, Canby, Troutdale, Hermiston, Silverton, Hood River, Newport, Prineville, Astoria, Tillamook, Lincoln City, Hillsboro, and Vancouver, Washington.

We also have an office in Minneapolis, Minnesota and take medical malpractice cases throughout the Twin Cities, including St. Paul, Hennepin County, Ramsey County, Dakota County, Washington County, Anoka County, Scott County, Blaine, Stillwater, and Saint Paul Minnesota.