Each year, almost 800,000 Americans will suffer from a stroke. Strokes are common and are the cause of death in as many as 1 in 20 deaths, making it one of the leading causes of death. There are many possible causes for a stroke and some people are more likely to suffer from one than others. Any time that someone is exhibiting symptoms of a stroke, it’s important for them to get help immediately. In many cases, strokes can be treated to prevent death and disability. Unfortunately, as some stroke victims may learn, seeking help from medical professionals doesn’t always get them the help they need. Symptoms of a stroke are often ignored or overlooked by medical professionals. When stroke victims don’t get treatment quickly, it can lead to lifelong disability or death.
When someone goes to a medical professional for help, symptoms of a stroke should never be overlooked. At Latona Law, we help victims and their loved ones in Wilkes-Barre get help if a medical professional failed to diagnose a stroke.
Medical Malpractice During a Stroke
Strokes are a medical emergency that requires immediate treatment. While many people might not realize, the effects of a stroke can be significantly decreased if a person receives help early enough. Because of this, medical professionals can’t afford to waste any time or fail to diagnose their patients. When many people have a stroke, they show symptoms of it that indicate that they need immediate attention. Patients with stroke symptoms should be given tests, such as CAT scans and physical exams, to determine whether or not they’re having a stroke. If the person is found to be suffering from a stroke, they can be administered clot-busting drugs. The exact treatment needed will depend on the type of stroke a person is having.
In some cases, a person shows signs that they could be having a stroke, but are sent home with no treatment. When this happens, medical malpractice could be involved. A patient might not have been given the proper testing that could determine if they were having a stroke, or the tests could have been done incorrectly. For some who have stroke symptoms, their symptoms might be completely overlooked or get diagnosed with something else, which prevented them from getting treatment. This is something an experienced team of stroke attorneys can determine.
Symptoms of a Stroke
The symptoms of a stroke can include the following:
- Weakness on one side of the body
- Blurred or double vision
- Dizziness or loss of balance
- Slurred speech
- Severe headache
- Numbness
Types of Strokes
There are three different types of strokes that a person can suffer from.
Ischemic stroke – Ischemic strokes make up the majority of strokes. During an ischemic stroke, a blood clot prevents blood from reaching the brain.
Hemorrhagic stroke – When a hemorrhagic stroke occurs, a blood vessel breaks open and causes blood to flow out. Hemorrhagic strokes have several different causes that can result in bleeding in the brain.
Transient ischemic attack – Also known as (TIA), transient ischemic attacks are thought of as mini-strokes or a warning. Although these might be mini-strokes, they still require immediate medical attention. TIAs can be a sign that a stroke may happen soon.
Stroke Attorneys in Wilkes-Barre
When you or a loved one tries to get help for a stroke and are turned away, you shouldn’t have to deal with the damages that come from it. Failure to diagnose a stroke can have heartbreaking ramifications. In most cases, the results of a stroke that was left untreated will cause permanent damage or death.
The costs of caring for a loved one who has suffered from a stroke and was left with a disability can be extremely expensive. A person might require years of medical care after suffering from a stroke, in addition to additional care at home that they may need. Depending on their line of work, they might have to leave their job and miss out on earning a living for themselves. Aside from financial damages, they could also suffer from emotional pain and a loss of enjoyment from their stroke. By working with the lawyers at Latona Law, we can help you get compensation for the damages you’ve faced.
We’re experienced lawyers who specialize in medical malpractice cases like these. Our lawyers are prepared to help you fight against the medical professionals who failed to treat your stroke. We offer a free consultation for residents in Wilkes-Barre. Contact us to learn more about the legal process.