While most physicians work to administer high levels of care, they are not always successful. In some cases, negligence and recklessness can lead to a stroke misdiagnosis or errors in treating a person who has suffered a stroke. Carelessness in this regard could result in worsened medical conditions, severe injuries, and even death. If you or a loved one suffered significant injuries following a doctor’s negligence in either treating a stroke or failing to diagnose a stroke, consult with an experienced Hudson Valley stroke medical malpractice lawyer. A dedicated medical malpractice attorney could examine the factors that may have contributed to your injuries and work to demonstrate how a physician acted negligently. Reach out and schedule an appointment to start discussing your potential legal options.
What Are Some Common Symptoms Associated with Strokes?
Strokes or transient ischemic attacks (TIA) are severe medical events that can cause significant damage to a person’s health. Several signs frequently associated with a stroke may include:
- Loss of consciousness
- Numbness
- Droopiness in the face
- Lack of sensation
- An extreme and debilitating headache
- Lack of motor function on one side of the body
Failing to identify a stroke and its surrounding symptoms could result in catastrophic injuries. A Hudson Valley stroke medical malpractice lawyer could advocate on an injured person’s behalf and work to hold a negligent doctor and medical provider accountable.
Protocol of Treating a Potential Stroke
When a person suffers a transient ischemic attack, they should immediately seek medical care at an emergency room. Depending on the circumstances, a doctor may conduct a CAT scan of the brain to determine whether they have had a stroke. In many cases, a person may need a secondary consultation with a neurologist. Generally, a neurologist will review the CAT scan of the brain, determine if they have had a stroke, and may keep the person in the hospital for longer. It is common for CAT scans to come back negative within the first four hours following a stroke. In most cases, a person may need to undergo multiple scans to confirm whether a stroke occurred.
What Are Some Types of Strokes?
After confirming that a stroke occurred, the doctor typically should try to determine the type of stroke. There are two different types of stroke. One is called an ischemic stroke, which means there is a blockage of blood flow in the brain. Ischemic strokes are the most common types of stroke and are usually caused by a blood clot blocking the flow of blood in the cerebral artery. The other kind of stroke is called a hemorrhagic stroke, which means that there is bleeding within the arteries of the brain. For example, a cerebral aneurysm which is a weakness in the artery of the brain that appears as a bubble in the artery could burst and lead to bleeding. This type of severe bleeding can lead to death.
Misdiagnosing or failing to recognize a person’s stroke symptoms could lead to severe or fatal consequences. A person who has sustained significant injuries following a doctor’s recklessness and negligence should consider speaking with a caring Hudson Valley stroke medical malpractice attorney. Certain legal strategies may result in compensation which could help satisfy an injured person’s financial needs.
Potential Treatment Options
There are many different types of medications that can be given to diminish the effects of a stroke and to reduce the likelihood that another stroke will occur. Medications such as Beta blockers commonly are administered to reduce blood pressure and lower the heart rate. Vasodilators are another medication used to treat a stroke. This pharmaceutical opens up the arteries in the brain to help blood pass more easily if there is a blockage. In cases of hemorrhagic strokes, a surgical procedure may be an appropriate method of treatment. For example, if a person has a cerebral aneurysm, a neurosurgeon could place a coil around the weakness of the artery to prevent rupturing. Often times, a hemorrhagic stroke is treated through surgical intervention and an ischemic stroke is remedied through medication.
Contact a Knowledgeable Stroke Medical Malpractice Attorney in Hudson Valley
If you suffered a severe injury following a physician’s inability to diagnose your stroke or treat your stroke symptoms, consult with a trustworthy Hudson Valley stroke medical malpractice lawyer. They could listen to your story and research different legal strategies that may be effective for your case. Call today to start building a compelling case that could help you hold a negligent doctor accountable for their actions.