A stroke is one of the most serious medical emergencies anyone can experience. It demands immediate medical attention, competent care and an accurate diagnosis to make sure that potential long-term damage is kept to a minimum. When this doesn't happen due to misdiagnosis or medical negligence, the consequences can be life-changing, both for the patient and their loved ones.

At Switalskis, we understand the strain that a delay in diagnosing or misdiagnosis of stroke can bring to your life. The physical and psychological impact, combined with the burden of additional medical expenses, lost earnings and potential care needs, can be overwhelming. We’re here to help you navigate your legal rights and make sure you get the justice and compensation you deserve.

Our highly experienced stroke misdiagnosis solicitors specialise in representing clients who have suffered due to medical negligence. We're able to handle sensitive and complex medical negligence claims, and we approach every case with empathy, professionalism and determination.

If you or a loved one have been affected by stroke misdiagnosis, give us a call today to arrange a free initial consultation. We'll chat about your options and the best potential course of action. No matter what your circumstances are, we'll guide you through the process of pursuing a stroke misdiagnosis compensation claim from start to finish.

A stroke is a severe medical condition that occurs when the blood supply to part of the brain is cut off. The disruption of blood flow means the brain cells stop receiving essential oxygen and nutrients, causing them to die quickly. This can lead to lasting brain damage, long-term disability, or even death.

There are two primary types of stroke:

• Ischaemic stroke: this accounts for about 85% of all strokes, and occurs when a blood clot blocks oxygen and blood supply to the brain.
• Haemorrhagic stroke: this occurs when a weakened blood vessel supplying blood within the brain bursts, causing bleeding in or around the brain.

Because strokes are so dangerous, it is vital to recognise the symptoms of a stroke and make sure the sufferer receives immediate medical treatment. The main symptoms of stroke can be remembered with the acronym FAST, as made famous by the national campaign led by the NHS and the Stroke Association:

• Face: the person's face, mouth or eyes may have dropped on one side, and the person may not be able to smile as a result
• Arms: the person may not be able to lift both arms and keep them there, due to weakness or numbness in one arm
• Speech: their speech may be slurred or garbled, or they may not be able to talk at all
• Time: it's time to dial 999 immediately if you notice any of these signs or symptoms

Other symptoms can include sudden weakness or numbness on one side of the body, including the legs, hands or feet. Difficulty seeing out of one or both eyes, and sudden dizziness, vertigo or loss of coordination, may also indicate a stroke.

Understanding these symptoms is critical to ensuring the person receives immediate medical attention, which can help to minimise the sufferer's risk of developing a serious brain injury. Any missteps in diagnosis and treatment can lead to severe consequences, which may provide the grounds for a stroke misdiagnosis compensation claim.

Making a stroke misdiagnosis compensation claim can play a crucial role in getting you the justice you deserve. In order to make a claim, you’ll need to be able to prove that medical negligence played a role in your undiagnosed stroke and that you suffered harm as a direct result of a healthcare professional failing to deliver the standard of care you deserved.

Here are a few scenarios where you may be entitled to make a compensation claim:

• Delayed diagnosis: if a healthcare professional failed to recognise the signs and symptoms of a stroke and this resulted in a delay in your treatment, you may be eligible for a claim.
• Incorrect treatment: if your stroke was correctly identified, but you didn't receive effective treatment and this led to more severe health issues, this could form the basis of a claim.
• Failure to carry out tests: medical staff should perform the necessary tests to diagnose a stroke whenever stroke symptoms are presented. If they fail to do so, and this leads to a stroke being missed, you could claim compensation.
• Failure to refer: if a healthcare professional does not refer a patient displaying stroke symptoms for further examination or treatment, this could be seen as negligence.

Remember, the purpose of stroke claims isn't just about receiving a financial payment; it's also about securing justice, driving improvements in healthcare standards, and helping to make sure that nobody else has to go through the same experience.

Call Switalskis to speak to a specialist medical negligence solicitor who can advise on whether you are eligible to make a claim.

The question of how much compensation you might receive following a stroke misdiagnosis claim can be complex. Because every case is unique, the amount of compensation awarded can vary, as decided by several key factors:

• The severity of the injury: the impact of the stroke on your health - including any permanent disabilities or life-altering conditions that resulted from the delay in treatment - will be considered.
• Impact on quality of life: this includes any changes to your lifestyle due to the misdiagnosis. For example, if you're unable to participate in activities you once enjoyed, or if your relationships have suffered, this will be factored in.
• Lost earnings: if the misdiagnosis affected your ability to work, whether temporarily or permanently, you can claim for loss of earnings. This includes future earnings if you're unable to return to your previous occupation, or if your career progression has been hindered.
• Care and assistance: the cost of any additional care or support you need as a result of the misdiagnosis, including modifications to your home, will also be considered. If you need ongoing therapy or rehabilitation, these costs can be claimed as well.
• Out-of-pocket expenses: you can claim for any other expenses that you’ve had as a direct result of the misdiagnosis. This could include travel expenses for medical appointments or the cost of medication and treatments.

At Switalskis, our experienced team of stroke misdiagnosis solicitors will work diligently to secure the maximum compensation you’re entitled to. We consider all aspects of your case and the impact the misdiagnosis has had on your life to make sure that your compensation accurately reflects your circumstances and needs.