What is stroke misdiagnosis?

In the UK, someone suffers from a stroke every five minutes, and its impact can be life changing. If a stroke is not identified or treated quickly enough, it can lead to further occurrences, disabilities, loss of function or changes in behaviour. At its worse, a stroke can be fatal; it’s currently the fourth leading cause of death in the UK, accounting for 35,000 deaths every year.

It is vital that when a person suffers from a stroke, they are treated as quickly as possible to minimise the risk of permanent or further damage. When this does not happen and your symptoms worsen or you go on to experience another stroke, you may be entitled to make a stroke misdiagnosis claim.

Are there different types of strokes?

While many people simply refer to the condition as a stroke, there are different types of strokes. The three main types are:

• Transient ischaemic stroke (TIA): this is often referred to as a ‘mini stroke’ and occurs when one of the blood vessels to the brain becomes blocked and temporarily stops the blood supply, usually due to a blood clot elsewhere in your body. A TIA has the same symptoms as a stroke, though the effects do not last as long, and you can usually expect to fully recover within 24 hours.
• Ischaemic stroke: this is the most common type of stroke and like a TIA, occurs when the blood supply to the brain is stopped because of a blood clot. However, it is much more severe as it deprives the brain of more oxygen, resulting in brain cells beginning to die.
• Haemorrhagic stroke: this is sometimes referred to a brain haemorrhage and occurs when a weakened blood vessel bursts, resulting in a bleed on the brain or in the skull.

What mistakes can lead to a stroke misdiagnosis claim?

There are a number of mistakes that medical professionals can make that can lead to a stroke claim, such as:

• Not monitoring patients who are at risk of having a stroke due to their medication and suffering a stroke
• Not monitoring patients who have hypertension and suffer a stroke
• Not monitoring patients who have high blood pressure and suffer a stroke

However, the most common mistake is failing to recognise the signs of a stroke and ensuring they get immediate medical attention. If the first signs of a stroke are recognised quickly, and there’s immediate medical intervention, there’s a much better chance of recovery. For example, if you have experienced as transient ischaemic attack (TIA) or ‘mini stroke’, you are far more likely to experience a full stroke later on if you have been misdiagnosed or not given the right treatment.

What are the warning signs of a stroke?

Most people have heard of the FAST test as it’s been well promoted within the UK and as a result of the FAST tests, many lives have been saved. The FAST test is a way for you to easily remember the signs of a stroke, which are:

Face: Can the person smile? Has their face fallen on one side?

Arms: Can the person raise both arms and keep them there?

Speech: Can the person speak clearly? Is their speech slurred?

Time: If you see any of the three signs, you must call 999. Other signs which must be taken seriously are:

• Sudden weakness or numbness on one side of the body, legs, hands or feet
• Difficulty finding words or speaking in clear sentences
• Sudden blurred vision or loss of sight in one or both eyes
• Sudden memory loss or confusion, dizziness or a sudden fall
• Sudden severe headache

If a medical professional has not recognised any of the warning signs of a stroke, and has therefore caused delays in a diagnosis, you may have the right to compensation.

What will my claim for stroke misdiagnosis consider?

Experiencing a stroke can have a devastating impact on your life, and the lives of your loved ones. No one should have to live with the consequences of a stroke because of someone else’s negligence, and while compensation can’t change what has happened to you, it can help to alleviate some of the pressures and difficulties you face.

To determine how much you could be owed in stroke misdiagnosis compensation, you should first speak to a specialist stroke lawyer, who will take a detailed account of what has happened to you to determine what your claim could be worth.

Generally speaking, the amount of compensation you receive will be dependent upon how severe your injury is, and the level of impact it has on your day-to-day life. Other things that will be taken into consideration include:

• The cost of any further treatment or rehabilitation you require due to your spinal injury
• Any financial losses you may incur (such as a loss of wages due to an inability to work, or travel expenses)
• The cost of any adaptations to your home that are required

Why should I choose Slater and Gordon’s stroke lawyers?

At Slater and Gordon, our expert medical negligence team is one of the best in the country, and our industry-leading stroke lawyers are consistently ranked highly in independent legal directories, such as Chambers and Partners, and the Legal 500.

Crucially, our solicitors know the importance of supporting you and your family through this most difficult time. We’ll be sensitive to your needs, compassionate in understanding the challenges you face and dedicated to fighting your case.

As well as lawyers who are experts in the field of medical negligence, we also have trained nurses and medical professionals on our team. We also offer home and hospital visits and provide immediate representation and rehabilitation support.