Philadelphia Failure to Diagnose Stroke Lawyer
Strokes used to have a very high fatality rate, and when patients did survive a stroke, they would often be left with debilitating conditions that left them incapable of speech, or the inability to walk. Thanks to modern medication, and early diagnostic methods, most patients who suffer strokes have a desirable outcome. Unfortunately, this is not the case for everyone. If you believe that you are the victim of medical malpractice because your doctor failed to identify your stroke, our Philadelphia failure to diagnose stroke lawyer at The Villari Firm, PLLC is here to help.
How do Strokes Happen?
Ischemic strokes occur when the blood supply to the brain is cut off. Without oxygen, brain cells begin dying within minutes. Less common than ischemic strokes, a hemorrhagic stroke occurs when a blood vessel in the brain bursts, causing bleeding within the brain. The increased blood pressure in the brain can cause permanent brain damage.
The Most Common Signs of Stroke
Prompt diagnosis of various types of stroke can give doctors time to administer vital medication to a patient that has the ability to dissolve the blockage. This allows the body to send oxygen back up to the affected area of the brain, saving brain tissue death and permanent brain damage. Identifying a stroke is a healthcare provider’s first step in saving a patient who is experiencing a stroke. Some of the most common signs that a patient is undergoing a stroke include the following:
- Severe headache
- Vision loss
- Double vision
- Paralysis
- Inability to walk or walk with a normal gait
- Dizziness or loss of balance
- Muscle weakness
- Numbness
- Slurring speech
- Ataxia
- An inability to understand others when they speak
- Confusion
- Altered consciousness
An acronym that healthcare, and non healthcare providers, are often taught to use to identify whether someone is having a stroke or not is FAST:
F — Face: Ask the person to smile and notice if one side is drooping.
A — Arms: Ask the person to raise both arms and notice if one arm drifts downward.
S — Speech: Ask the person to repeat a phrase and notice if their speech seems strained.
T — Time: Treatment is key for surviving a stroke.
Early Diagnosis is Key to Treating Stroke Victims
In order to accurately diagnose a patient who is suffering a stroke, a doctor needs to order a CT scan. A CT scan will show whether the stroke is ischemic or hemorrhagic, at which point medication can be administered to dissolve blood clots. This type of medication only works if it is given to a patient within roughly four hours of the first symptoms. As such, delayed treatment is significantly less effective then when a quick diagnosis is made
Contact a Philadelphia Failure to Diagnose Stroke Lawyer Today
If you or a loved one sustained injuries that you would not otherwise have suffered because of an undiagnosed, misdiagnosed, or delayed stroke diagnosis, our Philadelphia failure to diagnose stroke lawyers can review your case for evidence of medical negligence. Call The Villari Firm today at 215-372-8889 for a free consultation.
