Misdiagnosis of Strokes

Failure to Diagnose Stroke - Attorney David Hunter · Erie, Pennsylvania

Several factors can contribute to misdiagnosis of a stroke, such as a migraine headache or other less serious condition. Certainly some doctors listen closely to patients, and are careful to perform all laboratory tests indicated to properly diagnose a stroke or other serious condition while it can most effectively be treated.

Unfortunately, a doctor may choose to cut costs by overlooking expensive tests, may favor a diagnosis of some more easily treated disease or disorder, or may ignore stroke symptoms because a patient appears too young or too healthy to be at risk for stroke.

A misdiagnosis may be the result of poor charting during a nurse's admission interview, human error in the medical laboratory, or a patient's reluctance to freely discuss symptoms. However, most commonly, error lies in the physician's clinical analysis.

The effects of a failure to properly diagnose a stroke and provide treatment may include brain damage, seizures, paralysis, or wrongful death. When a patient arrives at an emergency room with early warning signs of a stroke, symptoms of aneurysm, brain injury, hemorrhagic stroke, or ischemic stroke, there are professional standards that direct doctors and nurses in how the case should be handled.

If you or your family member was misdiagnosed with a headache or other less serious condition when the actual problem was a stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA, or "mini-stroke"), contact a medical malpractice lawyer and make arrangements for a free consultation, at which Attorney David Hunter will advise you on your options.

Consultations are free. We don't get paid until you do.

Our law office is located in downtown Erie, Pennsylvania, within three blocks of both the federal and state courthouses, and provides free parking that is handicap accessible.