Legal Help After a Delayed or Incorrect Stroke Diagnosis
A stroke occurs when the brain, or part of it, cannot get enough blood or oxygen. A stroke can be caused by a hemorrhage or a lack of blood flow to the brain. Usually, the blood supply to an area of the brain has been cut off, usually by a blockage or by a broken blood vessel. If blood flow isn't restored to the brain within a few minutes, the brain cells begin to die. When a stroke goes untreated because of a delayed or incorrect diagnosis, the patient may suffer permanent disability or sustain a fatal injury.
Stroke Indicators
The symptoms of a stroke may differ depending on which part of the brain is affected by the blockage or bleeding. Symptoms may come on suddenly, or they may appear and disappear over several hours. Some of the more common symptoms of a stroke include:
- Headache
- Difficulty or changes in seeing, hearing, smelling, tasting, or touch sensations
- Difficulty talking, understanding others, or coordinating muscle movements
- Dizziness, vertigo, or loss of balance
- One-sided muscle weakness, numbness, or tingling
Tests Used to Diagnose Stroke
When a patient comes into an emergency room or doctor's office with any combination of the above symptoms, physicians should perform a full physical exam, with neurological testing to determine what is causing the symptoms. A physical exam will usually reveal symptoms like changes in sensations, one-sided weakness or difficulty in coordinating muscles, and difficulty speaking or understanding spoken explanations and instructions.
When a stroke goes untreated because of a delayed or incorrect diagnosis, the patient may suffer permanent disability or sustain a fatal injury.
Several different tests may also be used to determine whether a stroke is occurring. For instance, a physician may order a CT scan or MRI of the brain to see if any blockages or broken blood vessels are visible. A similar, scan, known as an angiogram, can provide additional views of broken blood vessels that can help the physician decide whether surgery is needed to clean up bleeding and repair broken blood vessels in the brain. An angiogram can also help physicians decide if surgery can be used to release a blocked blood vessel and restore blood flow to the brain.
If surgery isn't an option, clot-busting drugs may be used to help break up a blood clot in the brain. However, these medications can only be used within a certain time interval after the blockage occurs. Doctors may not administer medications in time to help the patient if the patient is facing delayed or incorrect diagnosis of stroke in Omaha.
Legal and Medical Experience for Successful Results
A stroke that goes undiagnosed may leave a patient with permanent brain damage, which may manifest as speech problems, movement problems, difficulty understanding what's going on, and other life-altering conditions. If a delay or misdiagnosis of stroke prevented doctors from promptly treating a stroke in someone you love, call the experienced Nebraska personal injury attorneys at Cullan & Cullan LLC at (402) 882-7080 today. We have the legal and medical knowledge to help you obtain full justice.