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Delayed Stroke Treatment Lawyers – Private Caretakers
Holding medical professionals accountable for their failure to treat stroke
Delays in the treatment of a stroke can cause paralysis, severe disabilities, and death. At Garcia & Artigliere, our lawyers understand the unique issues involved when stroke treatment is delayed through the negligence of private caretakers. Our delayed stroke care lawyers understand the policies and procedures that every type of caretaker needs to follow if a patient shows signs of a stroke. We work with physicians who understand what medical mistakes were made. Call us today if you or a loved one suffered disabilities or tragically died due to delays in stroke care.
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How can we help?
- What is a stroke?
- What signs of a stroke should private caretakers review?
- What is tPA, or tissue plasminogen activator?
- When is a private caretaker responsible for delayed treatment of stroke?
- What damages are victims of delayed stroke care entitled to claim?
- Do you have a stroke negligence lawyer near me?
What is a stroke?
The US National Institutes of Health (NIH) identifies two types of strokes that affect people of any age:
- Ischemic stroke. This type of stroke happens when the brain doesn’t get the oxygen and blood nutrients it needs because blood flow to the brain is blocked. Brain cells can begin to die within minutes if the brain fails to get the oxygen and nutrients it needs.
- Hemorrhagic stroke. This type of stroke happens when there is sudden bleeding in the brain. The blood that leaks puts pressure on the cells of the brain which damages those brain cells.
Nearly 90 percent of strokes are ischemic strokes.
Fast emergency care is critical for anyone who is having a stroke. Delays in medical care can cause cognitive difficulties, paralysis, other disabilities, and death.
Private caretakers can’t pass the buck to the hospitals. Patients rely on private caretakers to know the signs and symptoms of a stroke and on the ability of the private caretaker to arrange for emergency medical transport, such as by ambulance, for the senior to the hospital.
What signs of a stroke should private caretakers review?
The NIH identifies the following signs and symptoms of stroke and “transient ischemic attacks” (TIAs). TIAs, called ministrokes, are less serious than strokes but are warnings that the senior may have a stroke in the near future.
The signs of a stroke or TIA include:
- A severe headache
- Difficulty speaking, understanding speech, and confusion
- Sudden numbness or weakness in the face or limbs – usually on one side
- Difficulty seeing
- Balance and coordination difficulties
- Dizziness
The NIH suggests that caretakers use the FAST test to help analyze a senior’s stroke symptoms. FAST is an acronym for the following:
- F (Face). Ask the senior to smile. Look to see if one side of the face droops.
- A (Arms). Ask the senior to raise both arms. Look to see if one arm drifts downward.
- S (Speech). Ask the senior to repeat a simple phrase to see if their speech is slurred or unusual.
- T (Time). Call 9-1-1 right away if any of the other tests indicate a stroke. Early treatment is critical.
Complications from a stroke include blood clots, loss of bladder or bowel control, loss of bone strength, muscle weakness, immobility, seizures, vision loss, hearing loss, loss of touch, difficulty thinking and remembering, brain swelling, difficulty swallowing, and pneumonia.
What is tPA, or tissue plasminogen activator?
The clot-busting medication tPA (tissue plasminogen activator) is “the first treatment for acute ischemic stroke to receive Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval.” If it is administered within three (3) hours of the stroke, “tPA helps to restore blood flow to brain regions affected by a stroke, thereby limiting the risk of damage and functional impairment.”
This is why moving quickly is so critical; after that three hour window, the risk of a patient sustaining life-long injuries from a stroke increases.
When is a private caretaker responsible for delayed treatment of stroke?
Good intent is not enough. Individual caretakers, home-health aides, adult daycare centers, and other private caretakers need to know the signs and symptoms of stroke and how to respond.
Private caretakers may be liable for any harm or deaths that happened due to delays in treating strokes if:
- They don’t recognize the signs and symptoms of strokes.
- They don’t call 9-1-1 immediately.
- They fail to inform the doctor or hospital that their patient has suffered a stroke.
- They ignore any complaints made by their patients.
What damages are victims of delayed stroke care entitled to claim?
Our delayed stroke treatment lawyers demand compensation from private caretakers whose negligence causes a disability, injury, or death. We demand compensation for
- Current and future medical bills including ER care, hospital care, doctor visits, rehabilitation care, medication, and assistive devices
- All of the senior’s physical pain and emotional suffering
- The loss of speech, vision, or any other bodily function
- The loss of the senior’s quality of life
Our trial lawyers file wrongful death complaints on behalf of the families whose loved ones die due to stroke care delays. We demand compensation for funeral and burial expenses, the loss of financial support, and the loss of companionship and guidance
Do you have a stroke negligence lawyer near me?
At Garcia & Artigliere, our delayed stroke lawyers work with physicians who understand why strokes happen, why prompt care is essential, and how caretakers should respond to stroke symptom. We’ll assert your rights and fight to hold negligent caretakers accountable for any harm or fatalities due to delays in the treatment of strokes.
Call Garcia & Artigliere now if a private caretaker caused your loved one harm
Private caretakers need to ensure that the health of the people they care for is not in danger. At Garcia & Artigliere, our delayed stroke lawyers understand why tPA must be administered quickly – and the effects of delayed or denied treatment.
To discuss your right to hold private caretakers accountable, call or contact our offices now to schedule a free, confidential consultation. We represent clients who are cared for privately in California, Louisiana, Arizona, Kentucky, and across the United States. There are no upfront costs. We don’t receive compensation unless you do.
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