Stroke Malpractice Lawyer In New Mexico

At The Law Office of Salazar, Sullivan & Jasionowski, located in Albuquerque, New Mexico, we understand the critical nature of timely and accurate medical response to stroke symptoms. If you or a loved one has suffered from a stroke-related injury due to medical malpractice, our dedicated team of legal professionals is here to help. We provide specialized legal services across New Mexico, including in Santa Fe, offering personalized attention and expert counsel to each client.

We can review the medical records and determine whether there is cause to file a lawsuit against a doctor or hospital for malpractice resulting from misdiagnosis or a failure to treat a stroke properly.

What Is A Stroke?

A stroke occurs when there is reduced or interrupted blood supply to part of your brain, preventing brain tissue from getting oxygen and nutrients. Strokes are serious medical events, and brain cells begin to die in minutes.

There are three main types of stroke:

• Ischemic stroke: This type accounts for about 87% of all strokes and occurs when a blood clot obstructs the flow of blood to the brain.
• Hemorrhagic stroke: This type of stroke happens when a blood vessel in the brain bursts, leading to bleeding (hemorrhage) in or around the brain.
• Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA): Often called a mini-stroke, a TIA is a temporary period of symptoms similar to those of a stroke. A TIA doesn’t cause permanent damage and is caused by a temporary decrease in blood supply to part of the brain.

A stroke is a debilitating and life-threatening condition. When doctors take steps to prevent stroke or when they act quickly and appropriately to treat a stroke, the outcomes can be far better.

How Medical Malpractice Can Lead To Stroke-Related Injuries

Medical malpractice can significantly impact the outcome of a stroke. Common malpractice issues that can lead to stroke-related injuries include:

• Delayed diagnosis: Timely diagnosis of a stroke is crucial. Delays can result in missed opportunities for treatment that could prevent further brain damage.
• Failure to administer tPA: Tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) must be administered within a specific time frame to be effective in treating ischemic strokes. Failure to administer this treatment promptly can lead to irreversible damage.
• Misdiagnosis of stroke symptoms: Misinterpreting or overlooking symptoms of a stroke can lead to inappropriate treatment plans, worsening the patient’s condition.

One of the most critical errors in stroke treatment is failing to recognize its warning signs. Common symptoms include sudden numbness or weakness in the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body; confusion; trouble speaking or understanding speech; difficulty seeing in one or both eyes; difficulty walking; dizziness; and a sudden severe headache with no known cause. Recognizing these signs and responding swiftly is essential for effective stroke treatment.

There Are Ways Doctors Can Treat Or Prevent Stroke If The Signs Are Caught

There are many tools doctors can use to prevent and treat strokes. A delayed diagnosis and delayed treatment can risk the patient’s life. At our law firm, we work with experts to determine what the appropriate standard of care should have been under the specific circumstances a patient faced.

If there were obvious risk factors for stroke, the patient should have been on a blood thinner to lower the risk. When a patient comes into a hospital with stroke symptoms, quick diagnosis and treatment can mean less damage and a faster recovery. Clot busters and anticoagulants should be given as soon as intracranial bleeding is ruled out. A stroke’s effects worsen with delay. A tired doctor, an understaffed emergency room, an inattentive nurse or a failure to act with a sense of urgency can turn a difficult but treatable problem into a catastrophic event.

We Can Evaluate Your Case For Medical Negligence

If a loved one’s stroke was misdiagnosed and untreated, if symptoms were ignored, talk to a medical malpractice attorney who has the skills, knowledge and resources to assess the situation. Contact The Law Office of Salazar, Sullivan & Jasionowski at 505-349-4003 or online today to learn more about how we can help you.