Discharged Without Treatment for a Migraine While Having a Stroke
My question involves medical malpractice in the state of: PA
My fiance was taken by ambulance to a local hospital for signs and symptoms of a stroke. She was right side paralyzed, could not speak and was complaining of numbness and weakness. Upon arrival at the hospital all the ER doctor did was run blood work and a urinalysis. She said my fiance has a history of migraines and told her to go home and take another migraine pill. My fiance kept trying to tell her through garbled speech that she did not have a headache. The doctor refused to run any xrays, CT scans or MRI's. She also did not give any IV medication or fluids or any medication at all. She also discharged her to walk out while still being numb and weak on the right side. Since then my fiance has gone to see a neurologist who determined her to have had a stroke. What if anything can be done to the doctor? Law firms have turned us down as soon as they find out it is Geisinger Hospital.
Re: Doctor Failed to Treat
what damages was your fiance subjected to due to the lack of treatment?
did your fiance have insurance?
was this a "county hospital" (gov funded)
Re: Doctor Failed to Treat
Yes, she has insurance. No it was not a county hospital. She is still weak on her right side. She can no longer determine hot or cold temperatures on her right side, for example if she goes to get in bathtub she must first use her left side to make sure she isn't scalding herself. She drags her right foot. Her right arm still doesn't swing while she walks. Things that used to come naturally to her and not take a huge amount of time now takes her awhile to do so, such as running the vacuum. She has memory loss and still complains of numbness. She has no hand strength at all. She used to be an avid shooter now she has a hard time pulling the trigger. Lifting things are a task for her.
Re: Doctor Failed to Treat
Do you have a medical expert who will testify that these weaknesses would not exist had she been treated at the first hospital?
Re: Doctor Failed to Treat
It appears according to this assessment scale often used by emergency rooms, she was not in danger and should have been released and told to see her doctor.
http://dundeemedstudentnotes.files.w.../03/rosier.pdf
Re: Doctor Failed to Treat
You are listing typical effects of a stroke. I asked what damages she incurred due to the lack of treatment by the hospital.
In other words; do you have any proof that her current issues would not have been the result if they treated her at the hospital. If she incurred no damages due to the lack of treatment, there is nothing to sue for since treating her at the time would not have changed her condition now. No damages means no worthwhile suit.
Re: Doctor Failed to Treat
Yes, the neurologist feels if she would have been treated and given a proper diagnosis at the time of occurrence the ongoing issues would not have occured or would have been lessened.
Re: Doctor Failed to Treat
ok, then since no lawyers are jumping on the chance at representing her, either the amount of damages would not justify a lawsuit or the lawyers hear what the doctor said and are not convinced he is sure enough of his position to be able to claim that is the situation. So, if you want to do more, break out the wallet and lay a couple hundred thousand dollars on a lawyers table. That will get their ears to perk up and consider representing her.
the only other thing to do, but it provides no compensation to your fiance, is to file complaints with the appropriate medical boards and licensing agencies.
Re: Doctor Failed to Treat
I am an EMT and use that scale daily. The paramedic also used that form and she was definitely in danger. Her stroke assesment was +5 and her ABCD was a 5. Her speech was horrible and she could not use her right side at all. Upon discharge our son had to hold her right side and assist her to walk. Her leg dragged behind her.
Re: Doctor Failed to Treat
Have your fiancee's medical records reviewed by a med-mal practitioner, who will determine if the standard of care was breached.