Strokes are the leading cause of death and disability in the United Kingdom. According to the Stroke Foundation around 85% of strokes in the UK are ischaemic strokes. The remaining 15% of strokes are due to hemorrhagic strokes.
Recognising the early signs of strokes and receiving immediate treatment is critical to reducing the long-term effects of a stroke. In cases of medical negligence, when medical professionals fail to provide appropriate care, misdiagnose or provide inadequate medical care during a stroke you may be entitled to compensation for the harm caused.
What is a stroke
Strokes occur when the blood supply to part of the brain is interrupted, leading to brain cell death.
Risk Factors
The main risk factors for stroke occurrence are high blood pressure, diabetes, atrial fibrillation, high cholesterol, age, lifestyle factors, family history, ethnicity and sickle cell disease.
What are the different types of stroke
There are two types of strokes:
- Ischaemic stroke is caused by a blockage in a blood vessel supplying blood to the brain and is commonly caused by:
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- Thrombotic strokes: These happen when a clot forms in a blood vessel of the brain or neck.
- Embolic strokes: This is when an embolic clot occurs when a blood clot forms from another part of the body and travels to the brain.
- Haemorrhagic stroke results from a burst blood vessel causing bleeding into the surrounding brain. There are two main types of hemorrhagic stroke:
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- Intracerebral haemorrhage (ICH) is where blood leaks out of a blood vessel into the brain tissue, sometimes deep inside the brain.
- Subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH) is where blood leaks out of a blood vessel on the surface of the brain and gets into the protective layer of fluid surrounding the brain.
Prevention and Awareness
Early recognition of stroke symptoms is crucial. The FAST acronym assists in identifying the signs.
It is important to act FAST!
- Face weakness: Can the person smile? Has their mouth or eye drooped?
- Arm weakness: Can the person raise both arms fully and keep them there?
- Speech problems: Can the person speak clearly and understand what you say?
- Time to call 999: if you see any one of these signs.
Sometimes the symptoms of a stroke last for a short period and then go away. This is called a transient ischemic attack (TIA), a mini-stroke, or a warning stroke. If a TIA is not treated urgently, a major stroke could follow within hours or days.
Treatments available
A brain scan could be undertaken to establish whether the stroke is due to a clot, or a bleed as appropriate post-management treatment is crucial. There are two main types of imaging which can be used:
- A computed tomography or CT scan
- A magnetic resonance imaging or MRI scan.
The results of the brain scan will help doctors to identify what may have caused the stroke and ensure the patient gets the correct necessary emergency treatment.
It is important to distinguish between the two different types of strokes to determine the medication required.
- Ischaemic stroke
Some people who have suffered an ischaemic stroke are given a clot-busting drug. The main aim of the clot-busting drug is to disperse the clot and return the blood supply to the brain.
- Haemorrhagic stroke
If a person has suffered a haemorrhagic stroke, clot-busting drugs are not an effective form of treatment. It is necessary for a patient to have a brain scan and undergo emergency treatment. Afterwards, support will be required for recovery, including medical prevention treatment and rehabilitation.
Case study
In August 2024, 77-year-old Sir Brian May had a minor stroke which left him unable to use his left arm.
The Queen guitarist explained that “All of a sudden – out of the blue – he did not have any control over this arm.” He explained how it was scary, and he had no idea what was going on. He phoned his doctor who said he thought he was having a minor stroke and to Dial 999 where he was rushed to Frimley Hospital by ambulance and was diagnosed with having had a stroke.
The rock legend gradually regained his strength by allowing himself some recovery time and slowly picking up an acoustic guitar and exercising the muscles. Brian’s wife Anita Dobson explained how it was a case of “retraining the messages from the brain to the arm, that it’s actually okay to do what it used to do”.
Brian has thankfully seen a significant improvement following the stroke.
Early intervention and rapid action were crucial for Brian’s recovery as had he not acted FAST then this may have been a different outcome.
Rehabilitation and Recovery After a Stroke
Recovery following a stroke is often a long and challenging process for patients. Depending on the severity, patients may need physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, and psychological support to regain lost functions. This can be both physically and financially draining.
At Prosperity Law, we understand how debilitating a stroke can be, not just physically, but emotionally and financially. Our Medical Negligence team are dedicated to providing support throughout the claim process, ensuring that you receive the compensation needed to cover medical expenses, rehabilitation, and loss of income.
Medical Negligence and Strokes: When Things Go Wrong
Whilst early recognition and treatment of a stroke can significantly improve recovery outcomes, there are occasions where medical negligence may occur. Common examples of medical negligence related to strokes include:
- Delay in diagnosis: If a stroke is misdiagnosed or not recognised promptly, it can lead to neurological damage.
- Failure to Administer Proper Treatment: If clot-busting drugs (for ischaemic strokes) or emergency interventions (for haemorrhagic strokes) are not administered within the critical window, patients may suffer long-term or permanent disability.
- Inadequate Monitoring and post management care: Following a stroke, if medical professionals fail to properly monitor a patient’s recovery or provide the necessary rehabilitation, this can result in worsened outcomes.
Proving Medical Negligence – Breach of Duty and Causation
In order for a claim for medical negligence to succeed it has to be established that the treatment received was negligent and that the negligence caused or contributed to the injury. Breach of duty of care and causation both have to be proven on the balance of probabilities.
In a medical negligence claim it is necessary to establish that there has been a breach of duty of care which is set down by the ‘Bolam’ principle – ‘No reasonably competent medical practitioner would have acted in the same way as the Defendant at the time the events in question took place. It is necessary to establish that the treatment fell below a reasonable standard to be expected of a reasonably competent practitioner in the relevant field at that time.’
In medical negligence claims you then have to prove causation. It is necessary to establish that the identified breach of duty of care has directly caused or contributed to the injury or damage you suffered; this is referred to as ‘causation’.
In cases of medical negligence, the injured party may be entitled to compensation for the pain, suffering, and financial burdens caused by the stroke.
How Prosperity Law Can Help You
If you think that you or a loved one has been injured as a result of medical negligence associated with a stroke, then you may be able to make a claim.
We hold Medical Negligence Accreditation from the law society ensuring your case is being dealt with by a specialist team.
If you would like to know more about how Prosperity Law can help you with your medical negligence claim or our many other services, then please contact us today for a confidential consultation with a qualified solicitor.
Call us on 0151 909 1848 or Email: enquiries@prosperitylaw.com
References:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cp9rl7d575xo
https://www.stroke.org.uk/stroke/symptoms
https://guitar.com/news/music-news/brian-may-queen-stroke-fears/
https://www.mirror.co.uk/3am/celebrity-news/sir-brian-mays-wife-reveals-34249430
