The Case
A man presented with symptoms consistent with a stroke. Strokes are medical emergencies that require immediate diagnosis and treatment. The faster a stroke is identified and treated, the better the chance of preventing permanent brain damage.
Despite the symptoms, the man was misdiagnosed and discharged from the hospital. He later suffered a disabling stroke—one that caused permanent neurological damage affecting movement, speech, cognition, or other functions.
When stroke symptoms are missed or dismissed, patients lose the narrow window of time in which treatment can restore blood flow to the brain and prevent or minimize permanent injury. The standard of care requires healthcare providers to recognize stroke symptoms and act immediately.
The plaintiff was initially told by another attorney that he had no case. This reflects how difficult medical malpractice cases can be—some firms decline cases based on initial impressions without deeper investigation.
The plaintiff pursued a medical malpractice claim based on the failure to diagnose and treat his stroke symptoms.
The Resolution
The case settled for $1,395,000 before trial. The settlement reflected the medical evidence showing that the symptoms should have been recognized, that proper testing and treatment would have prevented or reduced the severity of the disabling stroke, and that the plaintiff now faces permanent limitations.
Why These Cases Matter
Stroke symptoms include sudden weakness or numbness on one side of the body, confusion, difficulty speaking or understanding speech, vision problems, dizziness, and severe headache. These symptoms require immediate evaluation, typically including imaging studies and neurological assessment.
The phrase “time is brain” describes the urgency of stroke care. Every minute without treatment means more brain cells die. Patients who are sent home when they should have been admitted and treated often suffer catastrophic, permanent injuries.
Being told you have no case does not always mean you have no case. Medical malpractice claims are complex and require careful review of medical records, consultation with expert physicians, and an understanding of the applicable standard of care. Some firms decline cases too quickly.
If you or a loved one suffered a stroke after being sent home from a hospital or after stroke symptoms were dismissed, contact us for an honest assessment. We handle medical malpractice cases on a contingency basis—there is no fee unless we recover compensation for you.