Medical Malpractice - ER Failed To Diagnose Stroke - Several Risk Factors - Discharged - Partial Paralysis - $250,000 Settlement

Patient Receives $250,000 On Claims ER Failed To Diagnose Stroke Before Discharge

Medical Malpractice - ER Failed To Diagnose Stroke - Several Risk Factors - Discharged - Partial Paralysis - $250,000 Settlement

Type of Action: Medical malpractice

Injuries Alleged: Partial left side paralysis as a result of failure to diagnose stroke

Name of Case: Confidential

Court/County: Cabarrus

Case No.: Confidential

Tried Before: Mediation

Name of mediator: Charlie Tompkins

Special Damages: n/a

Verdict/Settlement: Settlement

Amount: $250,000

Verdict Date: July 8, 2003

Demand: n/a

Offer: n/a

Experts: n/a

Insurer: n/a

Plaintiff's Attorney: Troy J. Stafford, Charlotte

Person Submitting: Della Stafford

Description: Plaintiff presented to the ER with complaints of numbness in her arm, unsteady gait, headache and dizziness. She had several risk factors for stroke. The emergency room physician failed to perform an adequate examination of plaintiff. He did not even ask plaintiff to stand up or walk during the exam to assess her gait and unsteadiness. A neurology consult was not ordered and patient was discharged. She continued to deteriorate at home and she returned to the emergency department several hours later. She was admitted and the diagnosis of stroke was made. Unfortunately, by this time it was too late to administer any medications that could have made a difference in her ultimate outcome. Plaintiff was left with partial one-sided deficit requiring the use of a cane.

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