Albuquerque Failure To Diagnose Stroke Lawyer

A stroke is a serious medical condition that requires prompt diagnosis and treatment for the best possible prognosis for the patient. If a hospital or health care provider is negligent, or does not act with proper care when diagnosing a stroke, the patient can suffer major health consequences such as permanent brain damage or death.

If you or a loved one is a victim of an undiagnosed stroke in Albuquerque, you may be eligible for financial compensation. Discuss your case at no cost or obligation with an attorney at The Fine Law Firm during a free consultation.

Understanding Strokes

A stroke is a medical condition that can occur when the flow of blood to the brain is blocked or interrupted (an ischemic stroke), or if there is sudden bleeding in the brain (hemorrhagic stroke). Both of these changes in blood flow can lead to a lack of oxygen cells reaching the brain, which can cause damage to the brain’s cells and tissues.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 795,000 people in the U.S. experience strokes every year. The majority of strokes (about 87 percent) are ischemic strokes. Stroke is one of the leading causes of serious long-term disability and death in the United States.

What Are the Signs and Symptoms of a Stroke?

An acronym that can be used to detect the key signs of a stroke is FAST: Face Drooping, Arm Weakness, Speech Difficulty and Time to Call 911. If any of these signs are present, it is essential to call for professional help to minimize brain damage and improve the patient’s recovery outcome with prompt medical care.

Warning signs of stroke include:

• Muscle weakness
• Numbness in the face or body
• Trouble speaking
• Difficulty understanding others
• Confusion or disorientation
• Blurred vision
• Severe headache
• Dizziness
• Lack of balance or coordination

Certain risk factors increase the odds of stroke, including high blood pressure, smoking, high cholesterol, diabetes, obesity, lack of physical activity, poor diet, excessive alcohol consumption, drug use and heart disease.

Treatment Options for Stroke Patients

If a stroke is properly diagnosed, a physician will review treatment options with the patient. Treatments vary based on the circumstances, including the type of stroke, the severity of the stroke and how soon the stroke was detected.

Possible treatments include:

• Medication to dissolve a blood clot
• Anticoagulants or antiplatelet drugs
• Mechanical thrombectomy, or the removal of a blood clot
• Emergency surgery or medications to control bleeding in the brain
• Oxygen therapy and IV fluids (general supportive care)
• Blood pressure medications
• Physical therapy and rehabilitation

The success and efficacy of stroke treatments depend on how early the treatment is conducted. The American Stroke Association states that a doctor must diagnose and treat an ischemic stroke within three to four hours of symptoms arising for certain drugs to be effective. It is critical to treat a stroke as soon as possible.

The Consequences of an Undiagnosed Stroke

An undiagnosed stroke can lead to severe health consequences for a patient. If a doctor does not identify a stroke in a timely manner, the patient may miss out on important treatment options. This can allow the stroke to continue damaging the patient’s brain.

The consequences of an undiagnosed stroke can include:

• Serious and permanent brain damage
• Loss of cognitive and physical abilities
• Lasting memory loss
• Physical disabilities, including paralysis on one side of the body
• Loss of motor skills
• Trouble walking unaided
• Speech and communication problems
• Trouble swallowing or eating
• Partial or total blindness
• Behavioral, personality and emotional changes
• Increased odds of another stroke
• Reduced life expectancy

A lack of proper blood flow or bleeding in or around the brain can cause irreparable damage to the brain cells. The longer a stroke continues to go undiagnosed and untreated, the worse the brain damage and patient outcome will be.

Medical Malpractice and Failure to Diagnose Stroke

A health-care provider failing to diagnose a stroke may be considered medical malpractice if a reasonably skilled practitioner would have diagnosed the stroke under the same circumstances.

Examples of medical malpractice that can lead to an undiagnosed stroke include:

• Hospital understaffing and overloaded workers
• Making a patient wait an unreasonable amount of time for care
• Failing to conduct a physical examination
• Ignoring the patient’s symptoms or medical history
• Failing to recognize or treat a blocked blood clot
• Failing to properly monitor a patient
• Neglecting to order the correct diagnostic tests for stroke
• Violating hospital protocols

If a medical professional or facility failed to provide a patient with the expected standard of care for the medical industry, the patient or patient’s family can file a medical malpractice claim in pursuit of justice for an undiagnosed stroke.

How to File a Medical Malpractice Claim in Albuquerque for Failure to Diagnose Stroke

A medical malpractice claim is a civil lawsuit that can be brought against one or more health care professionals for falling below the accepted standard of care. If a patient is harmed due to medical negligence, he or she has the right to pursue financial compensation (damages) for all losses suffered. This can include medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.

To file a medical malpractice claim in Albuquerque, start by contacting an attorney who specializes in this practice area. An experienced medical malpractice lawyer can guide you through the legal process. You must initiate your claim no more than three years from the date of the malpractice incident, according to New Mexico’s statute of limitations (N.M. Stat. § 37-1-8).

The elements that must be established are that the defendant 1) owed you a duty of care as your health care provider, 2) breached or violated this duty of care by failing to diagnose your stroke, and 3) caused you injury or harm. An attorney will investigate to search for evidence of medical malpractice, taking actions such as hiring medical experts to help prove your case.

Contact an Attorney in Albuquerque for Legal Assistance

Failing to diagnose a stroke can have long-term or permanent consequences for a patient. If you or a loved one has been affected by this form of medical malpractice in Albuquerque, you may be able to pursue a claim for financial damages to help you move forward. Work with an experienced lawyer to improve your odds of success.

To discuss a failure to diagnose stroke case in Albuquerque with an experienced attorney in detail, call The Fine Law Firm at (505) 889-3463 to arrange a free consultation.