Missed TIA
If medical professionals fail to diagnose a TIA and this leads to a full stroke, there could be grounds for a medical negligence compensation claim. To find out more you need to speak to a solicitor without delay.
Transient ischaemic attacks
A transient ischaemic attack (TIA) is known more commonly as a mini-stroke. It happens when the blood supply to the brain is temporarily disrupted. This can occur due to a variety of reasons, including fatty deposits in the blood vessels, a clot or a haemorrhage.
A TIA has the same symptoms of a full stroke, including slurred speech, a droopy face and difficulty raising both arms. The only difference with a TIA is that these symptoms are more short-lived, usually lasting around 24 hours.
A TIA can be a precursor to a full stroke, which is why treatment must be provided as a matter of urgency. If left untreated, there is a one in 10 chance that a full stroke will occur within four weeks.
The best course of treatment will depend upon the individual, but may involve a change in lifestyle, medication or even surgery.
Failure to diagnose a TIA
Because the symptoms of TIA may have abated by the time a patient seeks medical help, a diagnosis will depend largely upon a patient's description of their symptoms. A TIA has very characteristic symptoms and medical professionals should immediately become concerned if a patient reports problems such as slurred speech and a drooping face.
If there is any suspicion that a TIA has occurred, a patient should be immediately referred to a specialist for further tests. This should enable medical professionals to determine whether or not a TIA has happened. If so, a suitable course of treatment can be provided.
Unfortunately, however, an accurate diagnosis is not always obtained. Sometimes this is because a patient does not seek medical help for their symptoms, especially if they are very temporary.
Other times a diagnosis is not achieved because medical professionals do not consider that a patient might have had a TIA and so do not refer him/her for further tests. This can be very dangerous as without treatment a TIA can lead to a full stroke.
TIA medical negligence
If you or your loved one has suffered a stroke because doctors failed to diagnose a TIA, you may be entitled to compensation. Please get in touch with us to find out more.
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