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If you have suffered a posttraumatic cerebral infarction as a result of an accident such as a road accident or workplace head injury, you may be entitled to compensation. You may also be entitled to a payout if you had a stroke and it was misdiagnosed or there was a delay in receiving treating from a medical professional (a medical malpractice claim). To find out about your rights, complete the contact form to speak with a U.S attorney who specializes in brain injury law.
What is a stroke (cerebral infarction)?
A stroke occurs when there is an interruption to the blood supply in the brain. An ischemic stroke occurs when a blood clot forms in a blood vessel in the brain, causing a blockage. Another type of stroke is a hemorrhagic stroke. This is when a blood vessel in the brain breaks open, resulting in leakage of blood into the brain. When the brain suffers from a blockage or hemorrhage, the tissue in the brain is deprived of oxygen, which is essential for its function. The result is that brain cells begin to die, and permanent damage follows.
Risk Factors for a Cerebral Infarct
The risk factors for a cerebral infarct are:
- hypertension (high blood pressure)
- diabetes mellitus
- transient ischemic attacks
- ischemic heart disease
- smoking
- medications which increase the risk of a blood clot forming (eg birth control pills)
- medications which increase the risk of a brain hemorrhage
- carotid artery stenosis
- history of family members who have had a stroke
- trauma or accidents
Symptoms of a Stroke
- Weakness or paralysis of body parts, usually arm, leg, side of face
- Tingling sensations
- Numbness
- Altered smell, taste, and/or vision
- Difficulties with speech such as slurring of words or inability to speak
- Problems with swallowing, chewing, drooling
- Change in heart rate and breathing
- Effects on memory
- Dizziness, vertigo, loss of balance and coordination
- Changes in mood and/or personality
- Loss of consciousness
- Vomiting
Posttraumatic Cerebral Infarction
A posttraumatic cerebral infarction occurs in at least 2% of patients with severe traumatic brain injury, and can have a significant impact on a patient’s mortality. One study found that the presence of a blunt cerebral vascular injury, the need for craniotomy, or treatment with factor VIIa, are risk factors for posttraumatic cerebral infarction. If you have suffered a posttraumatic cerebral infarction as the result of an accident that is the fault of someone else, then you may be entitled to compensation.
Cerebral Infarction, Strokes, and Malpractice
Strokes can be caused by malpractice or negligent treatment by medical professionals. However, in most cerebral infarct malpractice cases, the situation is that the patient has had stroke from some other cause, and the malpractice lies in the fact that the treating physician or hospital has failed to recognize the symptoms, misdiagnosed the condition, delayed in diagnosing the condition, delayed in treating the stroke. As a result of the malpractice, the patient suffers irreversible damage- a worse outcome than if they had received the proper treatment in first place.
A stroke is a medical emergency which requires prompt treatment and hospitalization. The sooner you receive medical treatment (such as thrombolytic medicine to break-up any blood clots), the less likely you are to suffer any permanent damage.
Prognosis for Stroke
Only 10% of people who suffer from strokes make a near-full recovery. The majority of people will have some ongoing disability or impairment as a result of the stroke. In the most severe of cases, ongoing care may be needed, with support from nurses, nurses aides, family etc, occupational therapy, physical therapy, rehabilitation, speech therapy.
If you have suffered damage as a result of improper or inadequate medical care, then contact us for legal advice. We can arrange for a U.S lawyer to speak with you and advise you of your right.
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