Seconds matter when a Louisville area resident is suffering from a stroke. A stroke can happen to anyone and if a person is not treated with urgency it can cause permanent injuries or even death. When a person is suffering from a stroke, they are generally brought to a hospital’s emergency room. It is there that a patient needs the best care possible in order for the patient to have the best recovery possible.
A stroke is caused when blood flow to the brain is interrupted which causes death of brain cells due to a lack of oxygen. A stroke is the third leading cause of death in the U.S. When a patient is brought to the emergency room the signs of stroke need to be recognized immediately. When a stroke goes undiagnosed or is misdiagnosed a patient can suffer from brain injury, paralysis, memory problems, loss of motor skills, seizures, and even death.
Sometimes medical providers make errors when it comes to strokes. There can be a laboratory error or a misreading of tests that were completed. There can be a delay in consulting with neurological experts or a failure to take a thorough medical history. Important tests may not be ordered, or a stroke may not even be considered as a diagnosis, especially in younger patients.
If a family believes their loved one’s stroke was misdiagnosed, they may want to speak with a legal professional who is skilled in medical malpractice. An attorney can review medical records and consult with medical experts to help determine what happened. Compensation may be available for medical expenses, pain and suffering, lost wages and other damages.
