(845) 802-0047Misdiagnosis of serious medical conditions such as strokes is far more common than you might suspect. While failure to diagnose a stroke often occurs in an emergency room, it also can occur at a visit to an urgent care center or to a family doctor. No matter what the circumstances may be, those who have been injured due to misdiagnosis or failure to diagnose should speak to an Albany stroke malpractice lawyer.
Since there is limited time to file a claim, it may be wise to consult an attorney as quickly as possible following a stroke. A knowledgeable medical malpractice attorney may be able to assist you in pursuing any claims against your healthcare provider.
Symptoms of Strokes in Albany
A substantial interruption of the oxygen supply to the brain results in a stroke, also known as a cerebrovascular accident. A stroke is a medical event that causes brain tissue to die and parts of the brain to become non-functional. Strokes often are caused by blood clots that plug up blood vessels leading to the brain or bleeding in the brain.
Symptoms of a stroke may vary, given the area of the brain affected and the extent of the damage to the brain. Some of these symptoms may include:
- Numbness in the face or extremities
- Slurring of speech
- Fatigue
- Trouble walking
- Loss of balance and paralysis on one side of the body
- Nausea, severe headache, and seizures
One of the most common outcomes of a stroke is paralysis, which has the potential to be permanent in some cases. Other potential outcomes could include problems with memory, balance, speech, and vision, and cognitive issues. Individuals who end up suffering from stroke-related impairments due to delays in or a lack of treatment could explore their legal options with a skilled stroke malpractice attorney in Albany. A well-practiced attorney could review a person’s case and explain their rights and legal options.
How Malpractice Occurs in a Cerebrovascular Accident?
All too often, medical providers fail to recognize or appropriately treat the signs of strokes in their patients. This is notably true when their patients do not have typical indicators for stroke. Doctors may attribute stroke symptoms to other medical conditions, fail to order necessary tests, and miss the presence of transient ischemic attacks (TIAs), which are common precursors to stroke. Such delays in treatment could result in severe brain damage, dementia, and permanent paralysis.
Doctors have a duty to take appropriate measures to properly diagnose and treat strokes. The quicker individuals receive treatment, the less likely it is that they have permanent and severe brain damage. Taking precautions such as ordering proper diagnostic tests and administering the correct medications when strokes are suspected could be crucial to the well-being of the patients.
Potential Damages in Malpractice Claims
Damages in medical malpractice cases could include compensation for a wide variety of losses. Some of the damages they may be able to recoup in stroke malpractice claims could include:
- Medical bills, hospital expenses, and rehabilitation costs
- Current and future lost wages due to an inability to work
- Costs related to in-home health care and assistive devices
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Mental Anguish
- Loss of consortium
Depending on the severity of the stroke, individuals may be left partially paralyzed, brain damaged, and unable to return to their former employment. This situation could place a large financial burden on many families, notably as medical bills begin to quickly accrue. An experienced stroke malpractice attorney in Albany may be able to assist individuals to seek compensation when their losses are following the negligence of the healthcare providers.
Consult With a Stroke Malpractice Lawyer in Albany to Evaluate your Case
The injuries suffered an individual could endure following an undiagnosed stroke could be severe and may have permanent consequences. Those who have suffered a stroke may no longer be able to work and support themselves. In this situation, it may be worthwhile to consult with an Albany stroke malpractice lawyer.
Getting strong legal representation from the very beginning of your case may be crucial to your ability to recover adequate compensation. Speak with legal counsel today about your potential rights to compensation through a stroke malpractice action.