Preeclampsia is a serious condition during pregnancy marked by high blood pressure and signs of organ damage, typically involving the liver and kidneys. It usually arises after 20 weeks of pregnancy in women whose blood pressure had previously been normal.
When healthcare providers fail to properly recognize and monitor preeclampsia during pregnancy, they put both mother and baby at severe risk of life-threatening complications, including stroke.
Preeclampsia causes dangerously high blood pressure that can lead to cerebral hemorrhage or ischemic stroke if left untreated. Warning signs like severe headaches, visual disturbances, and rapidly rising blood pressure readings require immediate medical attention, yet these critical symptoms are sometimes overlooked or dismissed by negligent practitioners.
The standard of care requires regular blood pressure monitoring, urine protein testing, and careful observation of symptoms throughout pregnancy. When doctors or nurses breach this standard by missing preeclampsia indicators or delaying treatment, they may be held legally accountable for resulting strokes that cause devastating brain damage, permanent disability, or death.
The acronym FAST (Face drooping, Arm weakness, Speech difficulty, Time to call 911) highlights the urgency of stroke symptoms. Emergency medical services play a critical role in pre-hospital triage to ensure that patients reach appropriate care facilities. According to the AHA/ASA guidelines, pre-hospital notification by EMS can significantly reduce treatment delays (Stroke Guidelines, 2019).
Eligibility for tPA is determined by factors including time from symptom onset, absence of contraindications (e.g., recent surgery, bleeding disorders), and imaging findings. Hospitals are required to have protocols in place to evaluate and treat patients rapidly, often referred to as “door-to-needle” time goals. The current recommendation is to administer tPA within 60 minutes of the patient’s arrival at the hospital.
For patients with LVOs who are ineligible for tPA or present after the time window, mechanical thrombectomy may be performed. The AHA/ASA recommends thrombectomy within 6 hours of symptom onset, with some evidence supporting its use up to 24 hours in select cases.
The consequences of failing to diagnose or treat a stroke can be catastrophic. Many stroke survivors experience permanent neurological deficits, including paralysis, loss of speech, or cognitive impairments, significantly reducing their quality of life and impacting their ability to work. In some cases, untreated strokes can result in death. For families, these outcomes often result in significant emotional and financial burdens, which form the basis for legal damages in litigation.
The designation of hospitals as Primary Stroke Centers (PSC) or Comprehensive Stroke Centers (CSC) by organizations like The Joint Commission or DNV Healthcare reflects their adherence to rigorous standards in stroke care. These facilities are equipped with specialized teams, imaging capabilities, and the ability to provide advanced treatments such as thrombectomy.
This organization certifies hospitals as PSCs or CSCs based on adherence to protocols for stroke care, including timely administration of tPA and the availability of neurointerventionalists for thrombectomy. Details about certification criteria can be found on their official website.
DNV also provides certification based on ISO 9001 standards, emphasizing continuous quality improvement. Their certification standards for stroke centers are available on the DNV website.
The AHA/ASA collaborates with The Joint Commission to promote the Get With The Guidelines® – Stroke program, which emphasizes data-driven performance improvement.
Whenever possible, stroke patients should seek care at a certified stroke center, particularly those with Comprehensive Stroke Center status for more severe cases. These facilities are more likely to have the stroke protocols and personnel in place to handle complex cases, which may impact the timing of appropriate intervention and reduce the likelihood of medical errors. For a detailed list of certified stroke centers, patients can visit the websites of the certifying bodies or use tools like the AHA/ASA Stroke Center Locator.
Our commitment extends beyond the courtroom. We routinely connecting clients with top rehabilitation specialists and assist with insurance and disability claims. Throughout the litigation process, we coordinate with life-care planners and help secure necessary medical equipment and home modifications to maximize the quality of life for our clients.
A client who suffered an ischemic stroke in West Texas was denied timely tPA treatment, resulting in permanent brain damage. VWMW filed a medical malpractice lawsuit against the responsible hospital and doctors and successfully obtained a significant confidential settlement.
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