Fairfax, VA Stroke Malpractice Lawyer

Skilled Stroke Malpractice Attorneys Pursuing Justice for Patients in Fairfax, Virginia

A stroke is a medical emergency that requires fast recognition and response. The damage caused by a stroke can become worse during every minute that treatment is delayed. Medical professionals in emergency rooms and other settings need to be able to recognize the signs of a stroke and provide the right treatment without unnecessary delays. When they fail to do so, patients can suffer permanent neurological damage.

When a stroke has not been diagnosed or treated correctly due to medical malpractice, the lawyer at Shevlin Smith, P.C. can provide legal help for a patient who suffered harm. He provides clients with personal attention in these cases, helping to address their needs and stand up for their rights. He will take steps to determine exactly how failures in diagnosis and treatment occurred, and he will fight for full and fair compensation that will address a person's damages.

Why Time Is Critical When Treating Strokes

During a stroke, blood flow to a portion of the brain will be interrupted. This may be caused by a blood clot that blocks blood flow, or a blood vessel that ruptures can lead to bleeding in or around the brain. Brain tissue that does not receive enough blood and oxygen will begin to suffer damage within minutes.

Millions of neurons in the brain can be destroyed during the time that a stroke goes untreated. The longer the interruption of blood flow continues, the more extensive the brain damage will become. As damage spreads, a person may suffer severe and permanent neurological issues.

The administration of clot-dissolving medications can be crucial during a stroke. These medications must be provided within a narrow window of time after the beginning of stroke symptoms. When the proper treatment is provided, the severity of neurological damage may be reduced, which can improve a patient's long-term outcome. However, when medications are not provided within that window, the opportunity to halt the damage to the brain may be lost.

Recognizing the Signs of a Stroke

The symptoms of a stroke may be based on the specific area of the brain that has been affected by interrupted blood flow. A person may experience weakness or numbness on one side of their face or body. They may experience sudden confusion, or they may have difficulty speaking or understanding speech. Vision problems may occur in one or both eyes. Sudden, severe headaches may occur. Other issues may include difficulty walking, loss of balance, or loss of coordination.

Why Strokes May Be Misdiagnosed

Medical professionals in emergency rooms and other facilities are trained to recognize the signs of a stroke. They should take the correct steps to evaluate patients, but when they fail to do so, the proper care may not be provided within the appropriate timeframe. Reasons that providers may misdiagnose strokes include:

Misattribution of Symptoms

Some of the symptoms that can indicate a stroke may be similar to symptoms of less urgent conditions. Dizziness and vertigo may be attributed to inner ear disorders. Severe headaches may be attributed to migraines. Slurred speech or confusion may be attributed to alcohol intoxication. Weakness or numbness may be attributed to anxiety, hyperventilation, or a musculoskeletal disorder. When a provider reaches an incorrect diagnosis without fully evaluating the possibility of a stroke, a patient may not receive timely treatment, and they may suffer harm that could have been prevented.

Failure to Order Appropriate Tests

Brain imaging tests can be essential when confirming a stroke diagnosis. A CT scan of the brain can identify a stroke and rule out other causes of neurological symptoms. An MRI may also be used to detect a stroke. A provider who does not order appropriate brain imaging may miss a stroke. A radiologist who reviews imaging and fails to identify a stroke may also prevent a patient from being diagnosed correctly.

Inadequate Assessment of Medical History and Risk Factors

The risk factors for a stroke may include high blood pressure, diabetes, prior strokes, smoking, or cardiovascular disease. A consideration of these issues can help a doctor determine whether a patient may be experiencing a stroke. A provider who does not obtain an adequate medical history or who fails to consider risk factors may fail to diagnose a stroke correctly.

Delays in Emergency Room Treatment

Systemic failures within an emergency department can lead to a delay in diagnosing or treating a stroke. These issues may include delays in triage, delays in evaluations by doctors, failure to follow the right procedures during stroke treatment, delays in performing imaging tests, or poor communication between nurses and doctors. When these issues prevent a person from receiving timely treatment for a stroke, a medical facility may be held liable for the injuries a patient has suffered.

The Harm Caused by Stroke Misdiagnosis and Delayed Treatment

The neurological damage that can occur when a stroke is not diagnosed and treated within the appropriate timeframe can be extensive. A person may experience paralysis or weakness on one side of their body. This can range from mild weakness in an arm to complete paralysis of one side of the body, affecting a person's ability to walk, handle personal care, and work.

Speech and language impairments may also affect a stroke victim. These may include the inability to form words, to speak clearly, or to understand spoken or written language. Cognitive impairments can also occur, and they may include memory loss, difficulty with concentration and problem-solving, and reduced brain processing speed. All of these issues can affect a person's ability to manage their finances, perform their job, and engage in daily activities.

Contact Our Fairfax, Virginia Stroke Malpractice Attorney

Serious harm can occur when a stroke is not recognized or treated correctly. In these situations, the attorney at Shevlin Smith, P.C. can help an injury victim take steps to recover compensation that will address the impact that a stroke has had on their life. Contact our Fairfax stroke misdiagnosis lawyer at 703-591-0067 to arrange a free consultation.