Medical Malpractice Lawyers Help Victims of Undiagnosed and Untreated Stroke
Distinguished West Virginia advocates protect those harmed by medical misdiagnosis
Stroke is one of the leading causes of death in the United States. When recognized and treated quickly, the danger of brain damage caused by a stroke can be reduced or avoided. This significantly improves the likelihood of recovery and survival. Failure to diagnose a stroke, however, can lead to further brain injury, paralysis or death.
Paulson & Nace, PLLC is our family-owned and managed medical malpractice law firm. Our experienced medical malpractice attorneys have been protecting the interests of undiagnosed stroke victims for more than forty years. We understand the gravity of situations in which brain injury worsened by the minute because a hospital or medical professional neglected to recognize and treat a stroke. If you or a loved one has been injured because of such neglect we can help.
What is a stroke?
A stroke, also called a cerebrovascular accident (CVA), is a condition in which the flow of oxygen-rich blood to a portion of the brain is blocked. Lack of oxygen for only a few minutes causes brain cells to begin dying, which then affects the body parts they control. There are three types of stroke:
- Ischemic. Caused by a clot blocking blood flow to an area of the brain, these account for more than 80% of all strokes.
- Transient ischemic attack (TIA). Often called mini-strokes, TIAs tend to resolve on their own, usually in less than half an hour, but may indicate that a more serious stroke is likely to follow.
- Hemorrhagic. These are caused by rupture of a cerebral blood vessel resulting in an accumulation of blood that compresses and damages brain cells.
The symptoms of all three types of stroke are similar and can include one or more of:
- Sudden onset of severe headache.
- Weakness, heaviness, numbness, or paralysis of the face, arm, or leg, often on one side of the body.
- Difficulty speaking or finding words.
- Difficulty understanding speech;
- Sudden loss of vision or change of vision such as dimness, blurriness, or double vision in one or both eyes.
- Dizziness, loss of balance, loss of coordination or difficulty walking.
- Fainting and confusion.
Why doctors fail to diagnose strokes
Doctors and other health care providers may overlook the possibility of stroke, even when some of the symptoms are present, because of:
- An assumption that the patient is not at risk because of age or overall good health. This is a dangerous assumption, since stroke is possible at any age, especially if risk factors are present.
- Failure to inquire about risk factors. There are several risk factors that every doctor should be aware of, regardless of the patient’s age. These include: prior stroke or heart attack, high blood pressure, diabetes, carotid artery disease, atrial fibrillation, high cholesterol, medications which increase chance of stroke, and a family history of stroke.
- Inadequate evaluation of medical history. This is especially dangerous when the patient has a history of TIAs, as the likelihood of his or her experiencing a major stroke is increased.
Our West Virginia medical malpractice attorneys are here to assist you during your time of need after a loved one has had a stroke. Let a lawyer from Paulson & Nace explain your legal rights.
Failure to diagnose and treat a stroke has serious consequences for the patient
When a stroke is overlooked or misdiagnosed, and a patient is sent home untreated or incorrectly treated, precious time is lost, and irreversible damage, additional strokes, or death may result. Even when a person survives a stroke they may be left with serious neurological impairments, including:
- Loss of motor skills
- Paralysis
- Speech impairment
- Difficulty understanding words
- Diminished reading comprehension and writing ability
- Memory problems
- Behavioral changes
- Depression
- Difficulty eating or swallowing
- Seizures
Depending on the severity and location of a stroke, and the speed with which it is recognized and treated, recovery can be a long and difficult process. Many victims of delayed diagnosis and treatment are permanently disabled and face lengthy rehabilitation efforts and major lifestyle changes. Some do not survive. The chances of survival and recovery increase significantly when a stroke is diagnosed and treated immediately. To learn more, speak with a skilled West Virginia attorney well versed in medical malpractice law.
West Virginia has a two-year statute of limitations on medical malpractice claims. If the time limit expires, you may lose the right to ever bring an action for the damages you have suffered. Therefore, if you or a loved one has been injured because a hospital or medical professional misdiagnosed or failed to treat a stroke, you should seek qualified legal representation as soon as possible.
Contact a West Virginia attorney right away if you suspect medical malpractice
Paulson & Nacre’s distinguished family of medical malpractice attorneys offers the compassionate, personal and professional attention you deserve. We are widely recognized throughout West Virginia for both our comprehensive legal services and our aggressive advocacy for victims of missed or incorrect diagnosis. When you choose us to represent you, you are choosing a team that values families and family relationships. Please call 304-741-8079 or fill out our contact form to tell us your story in a no-obligation consultation. Our office is located at 3501 Maccorkle Ave SE, Charleston 25304.
We have dedicated our lives to helping medical malpractice victims. Let our family help yours.