Misdiagnosed Stroke

What happens if a stroke is misdiagnosed?

When a stroke is misdiagnosed or a diagnosis is delayed, the results can be devastating. Limited blood supply to the brain over a period of time can lead to brain injury, disability or death in the worst cases.

This is why it’s so important that doctors in GP practices and hospitals act to diagnose and treat a stroke as soon as symptoms appear.

And if someone has had a transient ischaemic attack (mini stroke), actions should be taken to prevent a more serious stroke from happening.

If you or a loved one has suffered harm due to a stroke misdiagnosis, you could have grounds to make a claim.

How are strokes diagnosed?

Diagnosing a stroke early can often make the difference between life and death.

Over the last decade, the FAST test has become more common and this can be extremely useful for quickly identifying whether someone is having a stroke. The FAST method involves four key steps:

• Face – can the person smile? Has their face fallen?
• Arms – can they raise both arms and keep them there?
• Speech – is their speech slurred? Can the person speak clearly?
• Time – if you see any of these three signs, emergency medical care is required

Beyond the FAST test, doctors will typically use more in-depth methods to come to a complete diagnosis. This should include physical tests such as blood pressure measurements, as well as brain scans to determine the type of stroke a patient has had.

Who can make a stroke misdiagnosis claim?

If your stroke was misdiagnosed due to the negligence of a medical professional, you could be entitled to make a claim. But your solicitor will need to prove that the misdiagnosis was caused by sub-standard medical care.

Some examples of negligence that could result in a misdiagnosis include:

• Failing to order biopsies
• Failing to refer you for tests early enough
• Interpreting test results incorrectly
• Providing inaccurate test results

This isn’t an exhaustive list, though. And if you’re not sure whether you have a strong case, our claims team can help. We offer a free initial consultation where we’ll let you know if you’re likely to have a strong claim.

How can First4Lawyers help?

We can put you in touch with specialist medical negligence solicitors who are experienced in these types of claims. They will work on your behalf to build a strong case for compensation, as well as helping you to access support for your recovery.

Your solicitor could also help you navigate the NHS complaints process if you’d like to formally complain about the treatment you received. Many people find this a reassurance as it can help to ensure that the same mistakes aren’t repeated.

For misdiagnosed stroke claims, we work on a No Win No Fee basis. This means that you’ll have nothing to pay upfront and you won’t have to worry about paying us anything if your claim is unsuccessful.

Misdiagnosed stroke claim FAQs

Is there a time limit for making a misdiagnosed stroke claim?

You’ll usually have three years to make a claim after a misdiagnosed stroke. This could be from the date the negligence occurred or from when you first became aware of it.

There are some exceptions to this rule, however. For example, if you’re claiming on behalf of someone who has passed away, you’ll generally have three years from the date of their death to start a claim.

And if you’re acting for someone who has lost mental capacity, there will be no time limit applied.

How much compensation could I get for a stroke misdiagnosis?

Your situation will be unique to you. So it’s difficult to say exactly how much compensation you could be entitled to without knowing the details of your case.

If you decide to take legal action, your solicitor will work to value your claim based on the pain and suffering you’ve endured, the overall impact on your life and any financial losses you’ve suffered.

For instance, if you’ve had to take time off work due to your misdiagnosis, your solicitor will consider your reduced earnings in their valuation of your claim.

For a rough estimate of how much compensation you could receive, visit our free compensation calculator.

I think I have a misdiagnosed stroke claim – what do I do now?

We know that claiming compensation may not be the first thing on your mind after suffering something as life-changing as a stroke. But you’re entitled to justice and support.

When you’re ready, our friendly claims team can help. We’ll ask you a few straightforward questions about the negligence you suffered and let you know if we think you have a strong claim. If you do, we’ll ask if you’d like to be put into contact with one of our expert misdiagnosis solicitors.

It will be entirely up to you whether you’d like to go forward with a claim after speaking to us. We’ll be here to answer any questions you may have but we will never pressure you into making a decision.

To find out more about we could help, give our knowledgeable claims team a call.

You can reach us on the number at the of the screen or request a callback at more convenient time. We also have a quick and easy claims form if you’d prefer to contact us online.