Strokes represent one of the biggest health threats in the U.S. According to the Centers for Disease Control, someone in the U.S. has a stroke every 40 seconds, while every three and a half minutes someone in the country will die from a stroke. About one in every six deaths related to cardiovascular disease is caused by stroke. There are approximately 800,000 cases of stroke every year, with about 600,000 stroke victims experiencing their first stroke.
Unfortunately, in many cases of stroke, a patient does not display any obvious signs of distress, especially in the early stages of the stroke. This may result in a delayed diagnosis of the stroke, which can have serious consequences for a patient. If you suffered a delayed diagnosis of your stroke, you may be entitled to obtain financial recovery for the expenses and losses you incurred due to the delay.
Why Prompt Diagnosis of Stroke Matters?
An early diagnosis of a stroke is the key to a good prognosis and long-term outcome. A stroke blocks the flow of blood and therefore oxygen to the brain, which results in the death of brain cells. There are a number of treatments that can be deployed within the first few hours after the onset of a stroke that can help prevent stroke complications, such as left- or right-side paralysis and other neurological issues. In addition, there are also other treatments that can be used prior to the onset of the actual stroke when a patient begins to display pre-stroke symptoms. However, these symptoms are often mistaken for other conditions such as infection or syncope rather than the signs of an oncoming stroke.
Strokes Often Subject to Delayed Diagnosis
Stroke victims may present themselves at the hospital or the doctor’s office with symptoms such as nausea and vomiting, dizziness, and difficulty walking, which in combination with a history of hypertension or observed high blood pressure should mean that stroke is included in the differential diagnosis. It is often possible to confirm that a patient is suffering from a stroke through the use of brain imaging. However, only a fraction of patients who display signs of a stroke undergo brain imaging within the recommended time after presenting at the hospital.
What Are Your Rights if You Had a Delayed Diagnosis of Stroke?
If you experienced a misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis of your stroke, you may be entitled to pursue financial compensation when negligent errors were committed by your patient care team and proper care would have led to you receiving more effective treatment and a better outcome. A medical malpractice claim arising from a delayed diagnosis of stroke can allow you to secure a financial recovery for expenses and losses such as:
- Costs of additional or more expensive treatment required to treat a more advanced stroke, including costs of physical and speech therapy that might have been avoided with a prompt diagnosis
- Long-term care expenses, including home health services or assisted living/nursing home care, or installing accommodations in your home, if you become permanently disabled
- Loss of income if you need to take additional time from work to recover from a stroke or loss of earning capacity if you are disabled from returning to gainful employment
- Physical pain and emotional distress caused by the stroke and your subsequent recovery
- Loss of enjoyment and quality of life due to physical disabilities that cause humiliation or embarrassment or interfere with your daily living
Contact A Medical Malpractice Attorney for a Consultation About Your Delayed Diagnosis Case in New Jersey
Were you or a loved one injured due to medical malpractice in New Jersey? Then you need to talk to an experienced medical malpractice lawyer as soon as possible for guidance on how to proceed. The Haddonfield delayed diagnosis attorneys at The Law Offices of Andres, Berger & Tran P.C. are prepared to assist you with your legal claim. We represent victims of negligent surgeons, doctors, nurses, and pharmacists throughout New Jersey, including Pennsauken, Voorhees, Lindenwold, and Collingswood. Call us today at (856) 795-1444 or fill out our online contact form to schedule a consultation. Our main office is located at 264 Kings Hwy. E., Haddonfield, NJ 08033.
The articles on this blog are for informative purposes only and are no substitute for legal advice or an attorney-client relationship. If you are seeking legal advice, please contact our law firm directly.
