Statistics suggest that every 40 seconds, someone in the United States has a stroke.
People who have strokes as well as their loved ones often discover that the event results in multiple health problems that last the rest of the person’s life. While strokes are one of the most common causes of death among adults in the United States, strokes can also occur at any age, even among children. Even though recent advancements in the medical field have increased the ability to care for people who have had a stroke, it is still important that strokes are identified and treated promptly. When medical providers fail to timely diagnose strokes, a person can experience more serious medical conditions than he or she otherwise would have had the stoke been properly diagnosed. If you or a loved one have suffered from a stroke misdiagnosis, it is important to obtain the assistance of a skilled medical malpractice attorney.
What is a Stroke?
Strokes occur when something interrupts the flow of blood to a person’s brain. Because blood carries oxygen to the brain, when this flow is stopped, a person’s brain becomes deprived of oxygen. Without an adequate amount of oxygen, a person can experience long-lasting brain damage.
The Types of Strokes
Not all strokes are identical and strokes vary significantly based on severity. There are two types of strokes:
Ischemic strokes are often caused by cholesterol, fat, or another substance that blocks a blood vessel in the brain. The National Institutes of Health report that ischemic strokes represent 80 % of all strokes, which makes this by far the more likely type of stroke.
Hemorrhagic strokes are the second type of stroke and occur when a blood vessel in the brain ruptures resulting in blood leaking into the brain tissue. These strokes are often caused by high blood pressure.
The Diagnosis of a Stroke
Medical professionals should be aware of the various early warning signs associated with strokes and thoroughly note these observations when examining of a patient. Some of the factors that increase the chances a person will experience a stroke include diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, smoking, and the occurrence of previous strokes.
Signs of a Stroke
Some of the signs that medical professionals will use to determine that a person is having a stroke include the following:
- Dizziness, loss of coordination, or trouble walking.
- Impaired speech or confusion.
- Numbness or weakness of the extremities, face, or body.
- Sudden painful headaches.
- Vision problems.
In addition to checking for these conditions, a physician should also perform a thorough medical examination that includes checking a person’s vital signs, listening to the heart and lungs, and determining if the person’s memory or cognitive processes have been disrupted.
Obtain the Services of a Medical Malpractice Attorney
If you or a loved one has experience misdiagnosis of a stroke, you likely have a strong medical malpractice claim. Contact The Law Offices of Gerald J. Noonan today. We can evaluate your case and discuss your various options. For over 35 years, we have helped people impacted by medical malpractice obtain the compensation they deserve. Contact our law office today for assistance.
We offer a free, no-obligation legal consultation to help you understand your rights and the value of your case.
Our medical malpractice trial lawyers assist clients throughout all of Massachusetts including, but not limited to, those in the following counties, cities and towns: Plymouth County, Brockton, Plymouth, Bridgewater, Marshfield, Hingham, Duxbury, Wareham, Abington, Rockland, Whitman, Hanson, Holbrook, Middleborough; Norfolk County including Quincy, Stoughton, Dedham, Weymouth, Braintree, Avon, Holbrook, Randolph, Canton, Sharon, Brookline, Franklin; Bristol County including New Bedford, Fall River, Taunton, Attleboro, Westport, Dartmouth, Mansfield, Easton, Raynham, Lakeville, Norton; Cape Cod, Hyannis, Falmouth, Barnstable and the Greater Boston area including Cambridge, Somerville, Medford, Everett, Lawrence, Lynn, Revere, Dorchester, Roxbury.
