Empowering You to Seek Compensation with Experienced Stroke Misdiagnosis Lawyers
Recognizing the profound impact of stroke misdiagnoses, a dedicated team of specialized lawyers who are committed to advocating for victims of medical malpractice can be crucial. Stroke misdiagnosis lawyers armed with deep medical and legal expertise can strive to secure the full extent of available compensation for the negligence endured, offering a beacon of hope and support on the journey towards justice and recovery.
At Weiss & Paarz, our focus is not just on legal representation but on understanding and addressing the unique challenges each client’s case presents, ensuring we fight for the most optimal outcome during every step of your stroke misdiagnosis lawsuit.
What is a stroke and how does it occur?
A stroke is defined as the sudden death of brain cells due to a lack of oxygen. Strokes typically occur when blood flow to the brain is interrupted, resulting in abnormal brain function. This interruption is normally caused by a blockage or rupture of an artery in the brain.
Types of Strokes and Their Diagnosis
A stroke can occur due to different underlying causes, primarily categorized into ischemic stroke and hemorrhagic stroke. Ischemic strokes happen when a blood clot obstructs blood flow to the brain, while hemorrhagic strokes result from a ruptured artery that causes bleeding within the brain. The complexity in diagnosing these two types can lead to serious outcomes if misdiagnosed. Stroke misdiagnosis, especially when failing to distinguish between ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes, can result in delayed treatment and worsen patient outcomes.
What is a stroke misdiagnosis?
Stroke misdiagnosis is a significant cause of medical malpractice claims, as stroke remains the leading cause of adult disability and the third leading cause of death in the United States. A stroke misdiagnosis can occur when healthcare providers fail to recognize the stroke immediately or overlook warning signs of an impending stroke. To prevent permanent disability or death, it is crucial to avoid stroke misdiagnosis through a careful review of the patient’s history, a detailed physical exam, and diagnostic tests such as imaging studies. In this way, many strokes can be prevented or at least timely treated before they cause permanent disability and harm.
Types of Strokes
Strokes can occur in several forms, each with unique causes and effects on the body. It’s essential to identify the specific type of stroke accurately, as misdiagnosis can lead to inappropriate treatment strategies and affect the patient’s recovery journey.
Ischemic Strokes
Ischemic strokes occur when a clot blocks blood flow to the brain, depriving it of essential oxygen and nutrients. This blockage often stems from conditions like atherosclerosis, where arteries are narrowed by fatty deposits. Immediate medical intervention is crucial to dissolve or remove the clot, highlighting the importance of rapid and precise diagnosis.
Hemorrhagic Strokes
Hemorrhagic strokes are characterized by bleeding within or around the brain, caused by the rupture of a weakened blood vessel. Factors such as uncontrolled hypertension and arteriovenous malformations can predispose individuals to this type of stroke. The prognosis depends significantly on the amount of bleeding and the swift initiation of treatment to control the hemorrhage and reduce intracranial pressure.
“TIA” transient ischemic attack
In a Transient Ischemic Attack (“TIA”), a patient has stroke-like symptoms but by definition, these symptoms are only temporary (transient). The occurrence of a TIA can be a very important warning sign because they often occur before a full-blown stroke takes place. TIA’s typically only last about 10 to 20 minutes, but prompt diagnosis and treatment can prevent a more serious, life-threatening stroke from occurring. Once it has occurred, time is of the essence. Timely treatment can stop the damage from progressing and can even reverse the damage. Undiagnosed stroke or misdiagnosed stroke means delayed treatment or no treatment at all. This allows brain cell death to continue, and can quickly escalate to preventable permanent brain injury or death.
What are the consequences of an undiagnosed stroke or misdiagnosed stroke?
- Brain injury
- More severe stroke
- Paralysis, often on one side of the body
- Seizures
- Loss of motor skills
- Memory problems
- Difficulty speaking and/or understanding words
- Difficulty reading and writing
- Difficulty swallowing
- Pain
- Behavioral changes
- Depression
- Death
What are the symptoms of a stroke?
Even if you are not a likely candidate for a stroke, the following symptoms should be taken seriously and the proper tests and actions should be taken right away to prevent a stroke misdiagnosis:
- Weakness, heaviness, numbness, or paralysis (usually on one side of the body)
- Weakness or tingling in a limb
- Sudden loss of strength in the legs
- Severe headache
- Dizziness, loss of balance, loss of coordination
- Difficulty speaking or finding words
- Difficulty understanding speech
- Confusion
- Loss of vision
- Change of vision, such as dimness, blurriness, or double vision
- Fainting
Can damage from a stroke be prevented?
Yes, sometimes the damage from a stroke can be addressed promptly enough or even prevented with proper and timely medical treatment. Avoiding stroke misdiagnosis is crucial, as doctors and healthcare professionals can detect an imminent stroke or accurately diagnose and treat a stroke by:
- Recognizing the warning signs, including a Transient Ischemic Attack (“TIA“) or “mini-stroke”
- Taking a proper and thorough patient history
- Conducting a detailed physical exam
- Avoiding an improper conclusion regarding the patient’s presentation by carefully adhering to established protocols
- Performing an ultrasound of the carotid arteries or angiograms (radiology study of the arteries)
- Administering the appropriate treatment, often including blood thinners
How are strokes misdiagnosed?
Damage from a stroke is sometimes medically preventable and stroke misdiagnosis can occur due to errors committed by medical providers. Some examples of these medical mistakes that lead to stroke misdiagnosis include:
- Laboratory error
- Improper reading of tests
- Failure to consult neurological specialists in a timely manner
- Delay in performing testing for stroke and treatment of stroke
- Failure to take a proper and thorough medical history
- Delayed diagnosis, failure to diagnose, or misdiagnosed stroke
- Failure to perform a thorough physical examination
- Failure to order necessary tests in a timely and emergent manner
- Failure to consider stroke in younger patients
- Failure to consider stroke in patients that seem healthy
What Can You Do After a Stroke Misdiagnosis?
Injury from a stroke can cause sudden physical, emotional, and financial hardships for patients and their families. During this time, it is difficult to think about seeking legal help for a stroke misdiagnosis, but there are time limits for taking legal action. In addition, in many cases, you will need the compensation that you deserve as soon as possible.
If you or a loved one has experienced serious injury or death which you believe may have been due to the failure to prevent stroke, or the failure to timely diagnose or treat stroke, you may be entitled to compensation including:
- Long-term care expenses
- Rehabilitation
- Pain and suffering
- Current and future loss of wages
- Current and future medical bills
- Loss of companionship
- Long-term disability
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Burial expenses
Learn more about frequently asked questions related to stroke misdiagnosis.
Legal Rights and Compensation for Stroke Misdiagnosis
Victims of a misdiagnosed stroke may be entitled to compensation for both economic and non-economic damages, which can include medical expenses, lost wages, rehabilitation costs, and compensation for pain and suffering. In cases where you can also pursue wrongful death claims. It’s essential to consult with an experienced medical malpractice attorney to understand your legal options, as statutes of limitations can impact your ability to file a claim.
Contact us about a potential misdiagnosed stroke lawsuit
Collectively, New Jersey medical malpractice lawyers Weiss & Paarz have presented dozens of stroke misdiagnosis cases to juries and have helped many families achieve substantial financial recoveries. They are committed to using their knowledge and experience to help any individual or family who has suffered a severe, permanent injury or death due to a misdiagnosed stroke. If you believe you or a loved one may have suffered from a stroke misdiagnosis, contact Weiss & Paarz’s specialized legal team today.
Stroke Misdiagnosis FAQs
What are the symptoms of a stroke?
- Weakness, heaviness, numbness, or paralysis (usually on one side of the body)
- Weakness or tingling in a limb
- Sudden loss of strength in the legs
- Severe headache
- Dizziness, loss of balance, loss of coordination
- Difficulty speaking or finding words
- Difficulty understanding speech
- Confusion
- Loss of vision
- Change of vision, such as dimness, blurriness, or double vision
- Fainting
How can damage from strokes be caused my medical malpractice?
Doctors and emergency room staff often fail to associate symptoms with stroke because they do not see the patient as someone who is likely to have a stroke. Mistakes leading to undiagnosed stroke include:
- Failure to take a proper and thorough medical history
- Failure to perform a thorough physical examination
- Failure to consider stroke in patients that seem healthy
- Failure to consider stroke in younger patients
- Failure to order necessary tests in a timely and emergent manner
- Delayed diagnosis, misdiagnosis, or failure to diagnose stroke
- Delay in performing testing for stroke and treatment of stroke
- Failure to consult neurological specialists in a timely manner
- Improper reading of tests
- Laboratory error
Can damage from a stroke be prevented?
Yes, sometimes damage from a stroke can be predicted or prevented by proper and timely medical treatment. Doctors and health care professionals can detect an imminent stroke, or properly diagnose and treat a stroke by:
- Recognizing the warning signs, including a Transient Ischemic Attack (“TIA“) or “mini-stroke”
- Taking a proper and thorough patient history
- Conducting a detailed physical exam
- Avoiding an improper conclusion regarding the patient’s presentation by carefully adhering to established protocols
- Performing an ultrasound of the carotid arteries or angiograms (radiology study of the arteries)
- Administering the appropriate treatment, often including blood thinners
What is a Transient Ischemic Attack (” TIA “) or mini-stroke?
In a Transient Ischemic Attack (“TIA“), a patient has stroke like symptoms but by definition these symptoms are only temporary (transient). The occurrence of a TIA can be a very important warning sign because they often occur before a full blown stroke takes place. TIA‘s typically only last about 10 to 20 minutes, but prompt diagnosis and treatment can prevent a more serious, life-threatening stroke from occurring.
What kind of harm results from a stroke misdiagnosis?
Once a stroke has occurred time is of the essence. Timely treatment can stop the damage from progressing and can even reverse damage. Undiagnosed stroke or misdiagnosed stroke means delayed treatment or no treatment at all. This allows brain cell death to continue, and can quickly escalate to preventable permanent brain injury or death. Consequences of undiagnosed stroke or misdiagnosed stroke can include:
- Brain injury
- More severe stroke
- Paralysis, often on one side of the body
- Seizures
- Loss of motor skills
- Memory problems
- Difficulty speaking and/or understanding words
- Difficulty reading and writing
- Difficulty swallowing
- Pain
- Behavioral changes
- Depression
- Death
I have lost a loved one due to undiagnosed or misdiagnosed stroke. Do I still have a case?
If you have lost a loved one to medical malpractice you may still be entitled to compensation due to your loved one’s wrongful death.
What can I do if I am the victim of failure to diagnose stroke?
If you or a loved one has experienced serious injury or death which you believe may have been due to the failure to prevent stroke, or the failure to timely diagnose or treat stroke, you may be entitled to compensation including:
- Current and future medical bills
- Current and future loss of wages
- Long-term disability
- Long-term care expenses
- Rehabilitation
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of companionship
- Burial expenses
What can a stroke be misdiagnosed as?
A stroke can often be misdiagnosed as conditions like seizures, migraines, or fainting, but there are other conditions that mimic stroke symptoms. These include hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), inner ear disorders (such as vertigo), multiple sclerosis, and psychogenic disorders. These conditions present symptoms like weakness, dizziness, and speech difficulties, which are also common in stroke patients. Failure to recognize these differences can lead to a misdiagnosis of stroke or a delayed diagnosis.
What are 3 conditions that mimic a stroke?
Some of the most common conditions that mimic a stroke include:
- Bell’s palsy, which affects facial muscles and can cause drooping.
- Peripheral neuropathy, which may result in limb weakness or tingling.
- Vestibular migraines, which can cause dizziness and coordination problems. These conditions, along with metabolic disorders like hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia, can resemble stroke symptoms, making timely and accurate diagnosis essential to avoid stroke misdiagnosis.
What is the misdiagnosis rate for strokes?
Studies suggest that approximately 9% of confirmed stroke patients experience a misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis in emergency departments. However, this rate can be higher for younger patients and individuals exhibiting non-classic symptoms, such as dizziness or headaches. In fact, up to 13% of ischemic stroke patients may initially be misdiagnosed, highlighting the importance of early detection and prompt treatment to avoid permanent disability from an undiagnosed stroke.