Strokes

While you are under the care of a medical provider, you are relying on them to take care of the entirety of your health. As such, if you suffer a stroke while under medical care, the doctors, nurses, and so forth who were meant to be monitoring your health could be held accountable. Alternatively, you deserve medical care that meets utmost standards after suffering a stroke, and anything less could be considered medical malpractice. Fay Law Group, P.A. and our stroke malpractice attorneys in Washington DC would be honored to discuss what happened to you and explore your legal options.

Dial (202) 589-1300 to arrange a free case evaluation with our firm.

What Constitutes Stroke Malpractice

What sorts of medical failures or mistakes could be considered stroke malpractice?

• Failure to prevent stroke: As mentioned, patients in a medical setting are entirely reliant on the careful observations and care of medical staff. It is the responsibility of the medical staff to prevent strokes from occurring. Malpractice can occur if there is a failure to recognize warning signs of an impending stroke, or if there has been a failure to monitor high-risk patients. A patient can be considered at high risk of a stroke if they have suffered one before, have known cardiovascular issues, have a family with a history of stroke, and so forth.
• Delay in diagnosis: When a patient enters medical care after suffering a stroke, medical staff have the duty to recognize the symptoms and make an accurate diagnosis. Common signs of a stroke are facial drooping, limb weakness, slurred speech, and vision loss. Specific methods may be needed to identify a stroke, such as performing a head CT in a timely fashion. Any unreasonable delay in your stroke's diagnosis could constitute stroke malpractice.
• Delay in treatment: Once it is known that a patient has suffered a stroke, either before or during medical care, medical staff need to take immediate actions to mitigate the harm caused by the stroke. Stroke malpractice may occur if there is a failure to activate the hospital's stroke alert system and/or consult the neurology department. Stroke patients also tend to need blood thinners or the "Clot Buster" drug tPA. Not providing a patient in distress these medications can be malpractice.

Did you or a loved one suffer a stroke while under medical care? Did medical professionals fail to diagnose and treat your stroke in an acceptable amount of time?

Call (202) 589-1300 to speak with our Washington DC stroke malpractice attorneys of Fay Law Group today.