Stroke Misdiagnosis Compensation Claims

Strokes happen every five minutes in the UK. A stroke is a serious, life-threatening condition that occurs when there is a disruption of the blood supply to part of the brain, sometimes leading to brain injury.

The longer the blood supply to the brain is interrupted, the more serious the consequences. That’s why it’s vital that healthcare providers recognise the signs of stroke, make a quick and accurate diagnosis and provide the relevant treatment and care.

If you or a family member has suffered a stroke, it can have a devastating impact on your life – particularly if medical professionals failed to diagnose your condition or there were delays in treatment resulting in disability, severe brain injury or even, death.

Our specialist medical negligence solicitors may be able to help you make a claim for compensation if you or your loved one has suffered due to the misdiagnosis of their stroke or delays to their treatment.

They are experts in helping people claim maximum compensation due to medical negligence and have supported many clients in securing damages against those responsible for their injuries.

Our team is dedicated to helping and supporting clients throughout the course of their claim and beyond. We have close ties to support groups, charities and organisations that help people who have suffered a stroke, as well as connections to renowned rehabilitation centres. We also offer home visits, to make the claims process as calm as possible, and build trusted relationships with our clients.

What are the warning signs of stroke?

Stroke can happen to anyone, of any age, at any time. It’s vital to know how to spot the warning signs of a stroke in yourself or someone else. The ‘FAST test’ is the recommended way to do this:

• F – face. Part of the person’s face starts to droop, making it difficult for them to smile.
• A – arms. The person is unable to fully lift their arms.
• S – speech. The person has difficulties with speech, which becomes slurred.
• T – time. It is time to call 999. A person displaying these symptoms must immediately be taken to an emergency department for treatment.

What happens if a stroke is misdiagnosed?

Strokes can have a significant impact on your health and can result in life-changing injuries. The effects can include problems with speech, mobility, vision, continence, memory loss, fatigue and your emotions. If a stroke is misdiagnosed and you don’t receive prompt medical attention, you may suffer a serious brain injury which results in you losing your independence and requiring long-term care and support.

What are the different types of stroke?

There are two main types of stroke: ischaemic strokes and haemorrhagic strokes and they affect the brain in different ways and can have different causes. Ischaemic strokes are the most common and occur when a blood clot blocks the flow of oxygenated blood to the brain. These blood clots typically form in areas where the arteries have narrowed or become blocked over time by fatty deposits known as plaques. Haemorrhagic strokes (also known as cerebral haemorrhages or intracranial haemorrhages) are less common and occur when a blood vessel within the skull bursts and bleeds into and around the brain. The main cause of haemorrhagic stroke is high blood pressure, which can weaken the vessels in the brain and make them prone to rupture.