Who can bring a compensation claim for stroke?
A stroke can be devastating – and when it is not treated quickly or properly, the damage can be permanent. If a stroke may have been prevented or better managed, you might be able to bring a compensation claim to secure the support, care and financial stability needed to rebuild your life, or that of a loved one.
What is a stroke?
A stroke occurs when the blood supply to part of the brain stops, causing damage to brain cells. Suffering a stroke can be life changing. It can happen to anyone of any age and affects people in different ways.
Types of stroke
- Ischaemic stroke – caused by a blockage cutting off the blood supply to the brain
- Haemorrhagic stroke – caused by bleeding in or around the brain
- Transient ischaemic attack (TIA) – a ‘mini stroke’ where the symptoms last a short time.
Compensation claims for stroke
You may be able to bring a compensation claim for stroke if you have been in any of the following situations:
- There is a failure to prevent a stroke – for example, by failing to check or monitor blood pressure, or by failing to manage blood pressure. This is because high blood pressure (hypertension) is the biggest risk factor for stroke.
- A stroke has been caused by negligent medical treatment – for example, due to no or inadequate anticoagulants (medicine that prevents blood clots) being prescribed following a medical procedure such as surgery or childbirth. Removing anti-coagulants entirely or too soon could also potentially cause a stroke.
- Stroke symptoms have started but there is a failure or a delay in diagnosing a stroke/mini stroke – these cases typically occur in urgent care centres or emergency departments where someone is worried about their stroke symptoms, but a proper investigation does not take place, signs of a stroke are ignored, and/or scans are incorrectly reported.
- There is a failure or a delay in treating a stroke – this might occur due to delayed care or misdiagnosis of the stroke by medical professionals.
By law, if you suffer an injury as a result of negligent treatment provided by an organisation or a person, you are entitled to compensation. The aim of the compensation is to put you back in your pre-injury position as far as possible.
Benefits of pursuing a claim for compensation
- Compensation – we will maximise your compensation to ensure that you have financial security for the rest of your life. This will enable you to afford all the services and things that you’ll need, such as care, therapy, treatment, aids and equipment, property adaptations or alternative suitable accommodation, and resuming your hobbies.
- Justice and closure – we are passionate about achieving justice for our clients and knowing that we hold those who have been negligent accountable gives our clients relief and closure.
- Apology – we can ask the responsible organisation to issue you an apology for their failings that have caused you harm, which you may appreciate.
- Early support – we provide early support services, such as assisting you with applying for benefits, contacting your employer to explain your injury and any adjustments you may need at work, negotiating with your landlord or mortgage company to seek a payment holiday or a manageable payment plan, and so on. You can read more about the services we offer here.
- Stroke charities – we have great relationships with some of the leading stroke charities in the country, and we can put you in touch with them so that you may access their services.
How we can help you
If you are concerned that you or a loved one has suffered a stroke due to medical negligence, we can meet you to find out more about your experience and your injury. During a free discussion, we will advise you on whether you may bring a compensation claim based on the facts and time limits and, should you wish to bring a claim, we will support you throughout the entire process.
To read more about how we support our clients and their families and what to expect from us, please see our blog, ‘What to expect from your solicitor’.
For a free, no-obligation conversation, you can contact us on 020 7288 4800.
