Top Stroke Misdiagnosis Attorneys
Stroke Misdiagnosis
At Davis Adams, we diligently discover the important facts, retain world-class expert witnesses, and methodically prepare stroke misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis cases for trial in a way that maximizes the opportunity for a verdict that provides justice for our clients.
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The Most Awarded Stroke Misdiagnosis Attorneys in Georgia
Mr. Davis is an accomplished stroke misdiagnosis attorney in Atlanta, Georgia. He has received virtually every award and honor available to Georgia trial attorneys. He is one of the foremost experts on medical malpractice law in Georgia. Published on March 16, 2017, last updated on June 21, 2019.
Like all medical negligence cases, those involving stroke misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis are highly complex in nature and replete with opportunities for negligent parties to avoid taking responsibility. The attorneys at Davis Adams have the expertise necessary to get the best possible outcome for you and your family in a stroke misdiagnosis lawsuit.
MORE ABOUT STROKE MISDIAGNOSIS
A stroke happens when blood flow to a part of the brain stops. A stroke is sometimes called a “brain attack.” If blood flow is stopped for longer than a few seconds, the brain cannot get blood and oxygen. Brain cells can die, causing permanent damage.
There are two major types of stroke: ischemic stroke and hemorrhagic stroke. Ischemic stroke occurs when a blood vessel that supplies blood to the brain is blocked by a blood clot. This may happen in two ways:
- a clot may form in an artery that is already very narrow — this is called a thrombotic stroke, or
- a clot may break off from another place in the blood vessels of the brain, or from some other part of the body, and travel up to the brain — this is called cerebral embolism or an embolic stroke
Ischemic strokes may be caused by clogged arteries. Fat, cholesterol and other substances collect on the artery walls, forming a sticky substance called plaque.
A hemorrhagic stroke occurs when a blood vessel in part of the brain becomes weak and bursts open, causing blood to leak into the brain. Some people have defects in the blood vessels of the brain that make this more likely.
Some symptoms of stroke, including headaches and vision issues, also occur with other disorders, and this contributes to the rates of stroke misdiagnosis. Other areas where we see this happen are meningitis misdiagnosis and cancer misdiagnosis.
RISK FACTORS FOR A STROKE
High blood pressure is the number one risk factor for strokes. The other major risk factors are:
- atrial fibrillation;
- diabetes;
- family history of stroke;
- high cholesterol;
- increasing age, especially after age 55;
- race (African Americans are more likely to die of a stroke);
- people who have heart disease or poor blood flow in their legs caused by narrowed arteries are also more likely to have a stroke;
- being overweight or obese;
- drinking alcohol heavily;
- eating too much fat or salt;
- smoking;
- taking cocaine and other illegal drugs; and
- birth control pills (increases the chances of having blood clots).
Paying attention to your health by doing things like getting regular physical exams, exercising and eating well, and generally living a healthy lifestyle may reduce the risk of stroke.
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OUR REPUTATION FOR HANDLING STROKE MISDIAGNOSIS CASES ADDS VALUE TO YOUR CASE
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Stroke symptoms depend on what part of the brain is damaged. In some cases, a person may not know that he or she has had a stroke. Symptoms usually develop suddenly and without warning, but sometimes occur on and off for the first day or two. Symptoms are usually most severe when the stroke first happens, but they may slowly get worse.
A headache may occur, especially if the stroke is caused by bleeding in the brain. The headache:
- starts suddenly and may be severe;
- occurs when you are lying flat;
- wakes you up from sleep; or
- gets worse when you change positions or when you bend, strain or cough.
Other symptoms depend on how severe the stroke is and what part of the brain is affected and may include:
- change in alertness (including sleepiness, unconsciousness, and coma);
- changes in hearing;
- changes in taste;
- changes that affect touch and the ability to feel pain, pressure or different temperatures;
- clumsiness;
- confusion or loss of memory;
- difficulty swallowing;
- difficulty writing or reading;
- dizziness or abnormal feeling of movement (vertigo);
- lack of control over the bladder or bowels;
- loss of balance;
- loss of coordination;
- muscle weakness in the face, arm or leg (usually just on one side);
- numbness or tingling on one side of the body;
- personality, mood or emotional changes;
- problems with eyesight, including decreased vision, double vision or total loss of vision;
- trouble speaking or understanding others who are speaking; or
- trouble walking.
This serious condition can have long-term effects. Don’t hesitate to call your doctor if you think a loved one is experiencing a stroke, and don’t hesitate to contact Davis Adams if you or a loved one has suffered stroke misdiagnosis. We are here for all your medical malpractice needs.
WE CAN HANDLE YOUR STROKE MISDIAGNOSIS CASE WHEREVER YOU LIVE
If a Stroke Is Suspected, What Happens?
- If a stroke is suspected, your doctor may:
- check for problems with vision, movement, feeling, reflexes, understanding, and speaking;
- listen for an abnormal sound, called a “bruit,” when using a stethoscope to listen to the carotid arteries in the neck;
- check your blood pressure (which may be high);
- order an angiogram of the head (which can show a blocked or bleeding blood vessel is blocked or bleeding);
- order a carotid duplex (ultrasound), which can show if the carotid arteries in your neck have narrowed
- order a CT or MRI scan of the brain;
- order an echocardiogram (which may show whether the stroke could have been caused by a blood clot from the heart); or
- order a magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) or CT angiography to check for abnormal blood vessels in the brain.
The recovery time and need for long-term treatment is different for each person. Problems moving, thinking and talking often improve in the weeks and months after a stroke. Some stroke victims—especially those who receive timely and proper medical care—will keep improving in the months or years after the stroke and may return to their normal lives.
However, for the patients, young and old, who are not properly diagnosed and treated by healthcare providers, the outcome, and the prospect for a return to normal daily living, are grim. Be aware that stroke misdiagnosis may occur as a result of a radiology error– an issue in ordering the proper scans, performing those scans, or interpreting the resulting images. If this is the case, you may have a radiology malpractice case.
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Our key advantage in medical malpractice cases is our experience. Unlike other firms who only advertise it on their website, we’ve focused our practice 100% on these cases. Let’s discuss your case and see how we can help.
MISDIAGNOSED STROKE LAWSUIT
You Deserve the Best Malpractice Attorneys
If you or a loved one have suffered as a result of a stroke misdiagnosis or a late diagnosis, we can help. For no charge, Davis Adams can obtain the necessary medical records and have an expert physician review the file to determine whether a doctor or other healthcare provider was negligent. Your best bet for a full and fair recovery in a stroke case is retaining a Georgia medical malpractice firm like Davis Adams with successful experience in handling these types of case.
Most people who contact our firm do so reluctantly. They aren’t excited about the possibility of having to sue an anesthesiologist for malpractice, and they understand that money won’t solve all of their problems—and certainly can’t heal their injury. But financial compensation is the only remedy available through the civil justice system, and it can go a long way towards helping your family find peace.
If you are dealing with the aftermath of a stroke misdiagnosis, contact Davis Adams today.
With Davis Adams, you are getting the absolute best malpractice firm in the state of Georgia. Partners Jess Davis and Chad Adams have received virtually every award and honor available to trial attorneys in the state.
Choosing Davis Adams means leveraging our years of experience and our reputation for excellence. We will do everything we can to assist in this terrible situation.