In a perfect world, doctors would correctly diagnose every patient on their very first visit to the hospital. Unfortunately, we do not live in a perfect world. Incorrect or missed diagnoses might constitute malpractice if the doctor was negligent.
Injuries including brain damage, loss of bodily functions, or even death are possible after an undiagnosed stroke. If you suffered a stroke after your Maryland doctor failed to make the correct diagnosis, you should speak with a lawyer about a possible medical malpractice case. You should also get a second opinion on your condition from another doctor. If a medical expert believes the failure to diagnose your stroke constitutes treatment below the relevant standards of care, you may be able to file a lawsuit. We will need evidence of your stroke, subsequent injuries, and negligent treatment from your doctor to prove your claims.
If you or a loved one experienced a stroke after a doctor in a Maryland hospital failed to diagnose the stroke, our Baltimore medical malpractice attorneys can help you file a lawsuit. For a free case review, call the offices of Rice, Murtha & Psoras at (410) 694-7291.
Consequences of an Undiagnosed Stroke in a Maryland Hospital
Undiagnosed strokes might lead to serious health complications for patients. Even if a stroke does not leave lasting injuries or cause death, the odds of a second stroke might increase, and your doctor needs to be on high alert. Our Maryland medical malpractice attorneys can help you hold a negligent doctor or other medical professionals liable for your injuries after an undiagnosed stroke.
Brain damage is a possible consequence of an undiagnosed stroke. Strokes are so serious because they can leave patients with traumatic brain injuries, leaving them severely disabled. While many patients can somewhat recover from these injuries, the recovery process often takes years, and full recovery might not be possible. Acting as soon as possible to reverse the effects of a stroke is essential in properly treating a stroke – all of which is impossible without a proper diagnosis.
Once you suffer one stroke, the odds of a second stroke go up. This is why it is crucial that doctors spot the signs of the first stroke and make a diagnosis as soon as possible. If your doctor failed to diagnose your stroke, you might be vulnerable to future strokes and health complications.
People who suffer strokes often lose certain bodily functions. Losses of fine motor skills, speech, and senses are all possible. After a stroke, a patient might need to undergo intensive physical therapy to recover even a fraction of their lost functioning. Many patients report going to physical therapy for years after a stroke.
Undiagnosed strokes can also lead to death. Some patients might pass away almost immediately after suffering a stroke, especially if the stroke was significant. Other patients might experience rapidly declining health after an undiagnosed stroke until they ultimately succumb to their injuries. If you lost a loved one to an undiagnosed stroke, our Mount Airy wrongful death attorneys can help you get justice.
What Should I Do if my Doctor Failed to Diagnose a Stroke in a Maryland Hospital?
If you or someone close to you experienced a stroke that was undiagnosed by a doctor, there are several steps you should take to protect your physical wellbeing and your legal options. The first thing you should do is get immediate medical care for the stroke. While many people can bounce back from a stroke, others have difficulty. The sooner you get medical treatment, the better your prognosis is likely to be.
When getting treatment for a stroke, you should get a second opinion from another medical professional about your condition. Medicine is a very complicated field of study, and patients might not realize that their undiagnosed stroke was an act of negligence until another doctor tells them. It might be wise to get opinions from several other doctors, just to make sure.
Next, you and your family should talk to a lawyer as soon as possible. If you want to file a medical malpractice lawsuit, you must do so before the statute of limitations on your case expires. According to Md. Code, Courts and Judicial Proceedings. Art., § 5-109(a), you must file your case within 5 years of your injuries, or within 3 years of the day you realized the injuries. Our Hartford County medical malpractice lawyers can help you file your lawsuit as soon as possible.
If you think a lawsuit is the best way to get compensation for your injuries, you should keep very thorough and accurate medical records. Hospitals are responsible for compiling your records, but they can only do so if you visit the hospital. You should be making regular doctor visits about your condition to keep your records accurate and up to date.
Proving Medical Malpractice for an Undiagnosed Stroke in a Maryland Hospital
Medical malpractice occurs when a doctor or other medical professional negligently injures a patient. Injuries must be more than mere mistakes or treatment that did not go as expected. Doctors are usually free to make mistakes as long as they make decisions based on what they truly believe is in the patient’s best interest. Many medical treatments come with a bit of risk, but if a doctor’s actions fall below the relevant standard of care, they may be negligent and open to a malpractice lawsuit.
To begin a medical malpractice lawsuit, you must have your case reviewed by a medical expert. You must have a doctor or other medical expert review your case and confirm that your undiagnosed stroke is a case of medical malpractice. You must file this information with the Maryland Health Care Alternative Dispute Resolution Office within 90 days of filing your malpractice complaint.
Much of your case will likely turn on the word of medical experts. Things like thorough medical records and other documentation about your stroke will be of the utmost importance. Our Maryland medical malpractice lawyers can help you find a qualified expert to begin your case.
Call Our Maryland Medical Malpractice Attorneys for Guidance
If your doctor failed to diagnose a stroke and you suffered great injuries as a result, our Maryland medical malpractice attorneys can help you get justice in the form of compensation. For a free case review, call Rice, Murtha & Psoras at (410) 694-7291.