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Cleveland OH 44122
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Cleveland Medical Malpractice Attorneys Represent Victims Improperly Treated by Medical Professionals

Brain stroke circulation heart pulse rate life line Strokes are dangerous, but the harm can often be minimized

Stroke is a medical emergency and a leading cause of death in the United States. It occurs when a blood vessel in the brain bursts or, more commonly, when a blockage develops. Without treatment, brain cells quickly begin to die. The result can be serious disability or death. Medical professionals are trained to recognize the signs of stroke and act quickly. The attorneys at The Eisen Law Firm hold medical professionals accountable when physicians and hospitals fail to properly respond to stroke victims.

Signs of a stroke that medical professionals in Ohio are trained to recognize

Signs of a stroke may include:

Types of strokes

The most common type of stroke is known as an “ischemic” stroke. Nearly nine out of ten strokes falls into this category. The culprit is a blood clot that blocks a blood vessel in the brain. The clot may develop on the spot (a thrombotic stroke) or travel through the blood from elsewhere in the body (an embolic stroke). Less common, but more often deadly, are “hemorrhagic” strokes, which are caused by a vessel that tears or ruptures, reducing blood flow to the brain. Such ruptures often occur at the site of an “aneurysm,” which is a weakened area of a blood vessel wall that begins to stretch out and can burst, causing sudden severe bleeding.

How should people respond to strokes?

Every second counts when seeking treatment for a stroke. Health professionals refer to stroke as a “brain attack,” hoping that people will seek immediate treatment, just as they do for a heart attack. There are drugs called ”clot busters” (TPA is an example) that can reduce brain damage caused by a blockage, but they must be given within three hours — up to 4.5 hours in some people — of the initial stroke symptoms. This is known as the “window of opportunity.” Once brain tissue has died, the body parts controlled by that area won’t work properly. This is why stroke is a top cause of long-term disability.

When someone with stroke symptoms arrives at the emergency department of a hospital, the first step is to determine which type of stroke is occurring. A CT scan can help doctors determine whether the symptoms are coming from a blocked blood vessel or a bleeding vessel. Clot-busting medications can only be used if the stroke is caused by a blocked vessel; the use of such drugs for a bleeding vessel can be deadly.

Whether a stroke causes long-term damage depends on its severity and how quickly treatment is started. The type of damage depends on where in the brain the stroke occurs. Common problems after a stroke include numbness and/or weakness in the arms or legs, difficulty walking, vision problems, trouble swallowing, and problems with speech and comprehension.

With proper care and treatment, the effects of a stroke can be reduced. Unfortunately, however, people do not always get appropriate and timely care. Sometimes the delay is because people do not recognize the “brain attack” and seek help right away. Other times, help is sought promptly (within the “window of opportunity”), but treatment is delayed due to medical negligence.

Sometimes an ischemic stroke is preceded by a mini-stroke or “TIA” (transient ischemic attack). Doctors are trained to recognize TIAs and to take steps to prevent a subsequent stroke. Failure to act to prevent the subsequent stroke is another common example of medical negligence.

Our role as your medical malpractice attorneys after suffering a stroke

At The Eisen Law Firm, we have represented both adults and children whose strokes either were not diagnosed or not treated properly. We have had several multi-million dollar results in these cases. We have both the experience and expertise to evaluate stroke cases and get to the bottom of their cause. We work with preeminent stroke doctors (neurologists) and rehabilitation experts to evaluate stroke cases and to determine whether a stroke was caused or worsened by medical negligence.

 

Contact our Cleveland medical negligence stroke attorneys today for a free initial consultation

Our personal injury attorneys at The Eisen Law Firm in Cleveland have decades of experience helping stroke victims who did not receive the medical attention they deserved. We care about you getting the medical care you need for a full recovery and the compensation you deserve for your suffering. Call us today at 216-687-0900 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation with one of our skillful attorneys. We assist clients in Cleveland, Lorain, Columbus, Toledo, Akron and all of Northeast Ohio.