Iowa Stroke Malpractice Lawyers
Stroke Malpractice Attorneys in Iowa Who Know How to Win
When someone suffers a stroke, millions of brain cells are destroyed every minute. This cerebrovascular emergency requires immediate medical attention. However, thousands of stroke patients do not get the treatment they need due to misdiagnosis and delayed diagnoses.
Strokes are one of the most common medical emergencies. Physicians should be aware of stroke symptoms, especially emergency room doctors. Unfortunately, common stroke symptoms are frequently overlooked or ignored. In fact, the National Institute of Health (NIH) estimates that as many as 165,000 strokes are misdiagnosed every year.
Sadly, treatment delayed is often treatment denied when it comes to strokes. There are effective medications that can dramatically reduce the severity of a stroke when administered in time, but misdiagnosis and delayed diagnosis prevent thousands of people from receiving such treatment.
If your loved one was injured due to stroke misdiagnoses or not being treated in a timely manner, contact the experienced trial attorneys at Leventhal Puga Braley P.C. Our firm has won record-breaking settlements for our clients.
Call us at (877) 433-3906 to learn more today.
What Causes Stroke Malpractice?
A stroke results when blood flow to the brain is reduced or interrupted. Many doctors now refer to a stroke as a “brain attack” to help people appreciate the severity of strokes and the importance of prompt medical treatment.
Almost all strokes are either hemorrhagic or ischemic. The most common type of stroke is an ischemic stroke, usually caused by a clot that blocks blood flow. Whereas a hemorrhagic stroke results from a ruptured blood vessel.
The symptoms of a stroke appear suddenly and without warning. Medical professionals have created the acronym F.A.S.T. to help people recognize the onset of a stroke and react appropriately, which stands for:
- Facial drooping
- Arm weakness
- Speech problems
- Time to call for help
When a patient displaying stroke symptoms enters the emergency room, the admitting physician should do the following right away:
- Ask a series of simple questions.
- Check the patient’s reflexes.
- Check the patient’s pulse and blood pressure.
- Listen to their heart and lungs.
- Review the patient’s medical history.
- Request a CT exam or an MRI.
Symptoms That Doctors Commonly Mistake for a Stroke
Patients suffering from a stroke may complain of headaches, confusion, or dizziness, but doctors sometimes mistake these symptoms for other personal or medical issues. Misdiagnosis is particularly common when other factors capture the doctor’s attention.
Doctors are more likely to misdiagnosis a stroke when the patient is young, appears to be of lower means, or if they seem to be suffering from another condition, such as diabetes. Doctors may ignore stroke symptoms when they suspect the patient’s problems are caused by one of the following:
- Drug and alcohol use
- Headaches
- Seizure
- Vertigo
- Migraine
- Untreated diabetes
- Dementia
- Effects of aging
What Is Stroke Malpractice?
Medical malpractice occurs when a doctor or other healthcare professional fails to follow standard treatment procedures. If a qualified doctor could have behaved differently under the same circumstances, and the patient suffers as a result, then they may have grounds for a medical malpractice lawsuit.
Doctors, nurses, radiologists, pharmacists, laboratory technicians, administrators, and other hospital staff may be liable for medical malpractice. When a stroke victim needlessly suffers, grounds for medical malpractice may include:
- Failure to properly examine the patient
- Equipment failure
- Inadequate training
- Laboratory errors
- Inadequate staffing
- Improper discharge
- Incorrect treatment
- Improper medication
The Long-Term Consequences of Stroke Malpractice
There is a type of clot-busting medication known as tPA (tissue plasminogen activator) that can greatly reduce the effects of a stroke, but it must be administered as quickly as possible to be safe and effective.
When treatment is delayed, tPA can exacerbate the long-term effects of a stroke, which may include:
- Paralysis
- Loss of vision
- Reduced muscle control
- Impaired language ability
- Reduced muscle control
- Speech and language impairment
- Reduced intellectual capacity
- Difficulty swallowing
- Loss of bowel and bladder control
- Reduced mobility
- Memory loss
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Irritability
How Your Iowa Stroke Malpractice Attorney Can Help
The Iowa medical malpractice lawyers at Leventhal Puga Braley P.C. will review your case and conduct a thorough investigation. We’ll review your medical records, subpoena hospital documents, and interview witnesses to get an accurate account of what happened.
If you were a victim of medical malpractice, we’ll file a claim to recover damages. Our firm has won millions of dollars for our clients, and we’re always prepared to take a case to court. An Iowa stroke malpractice lawsuit includes the following types of damages:
- Current and future medical expenses
- Time missed from work
- Emotional distress
- Medications
- Pain and suffering
- Medical devices
- Assisted living care
- Reduced quality of life
- Diminished earning capacity
- Wrongful death
Helping You Get the Resources You Need
At Leventhal Puga Braley P.C., we take the time to listen to you and will always treat you and your family with respect and compassion.
We never stop fighting for our clients. Call (877) 433-3906 to schedule your consultation today.
Great Trial Lawyers Obtaining Unparalleled Results
303-759-9945 
877-433-3906