Frequently asked questions about stroke misdiagnosis and negligence claims
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How do I make a stroke misdiagnosis claim?
If you believe a medical professional acted wrongfully or negligently after you suffered a stroke, you could claim for compensation.
You can also claim on behalf of a family member that is unable to manage their own claim, or has sadly passed away.
Thompsons Solicitors can help you with a medical negligence claim if you have suffered because of a stroke misdiagnosis or doctor negligence. Our specialist team will guide and support you throughout the entire compensation claim process.
Our medical negligence experts will investigate your case to determine if you received a misdiagnosis, whether a medical professional was at fault and what harm has been caused.
Call us on 0800 0 224 224 for free legal advice on making a stroke misdiagnosis claim. Alternatively, start your claim by completing our no-obligation online claim form.
One of our specialist clinical negligence lawyers will get back to you to discuss your case.
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Can I make a no win, no fee claim?
Yes. There is no financial risk in claiming on a no win, no fee basis. There are no upfront or hidden fees, and all costs are covered by Thompsons Solicitors during your case.
If you win, a contribution to our costs will be deducted from your compensation. This is known as a success fee, and whereas many law firms take a larger percentage, we cap these fees at a maximum of 25% of the damages awarded to you. This means that when you claim with Thompsons, you’ll always keep at least 75% of your medical negligence compensation.
You'll pay nothing at all if you lose, as long as you comply with the agreement with your medical negligence solicitor and have the appropriate insurance in place, which Thompsons Solicitors will arrange for you.
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How much compensation for a stroke misdiagnosis am I likely to receive?
The amount of medical misdiagnosis compensation you receive will vary based on your individual circumstances.
Compensation will be awarded for pain and suffering experienced as a result of the misdiagnosis. Generally, the greater the impact on you, the more compensation you will receive.
You can also claim compensation for any financial losses incurred. This could include loss of earnings, rehabilitation costs, plus the cost of travelling to and from any medical appointments.
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Is there a time limit to claim?
You have three years to start your claim. The time limits for medical negligence claims may be extended if you are claiming on behalf of someone else, such as a minor or a person without the capacity to make their own claim.
The courts are very strict about time limits, so you should contact a medical negligence lawyer as soon as possible.
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What is a stroke?
A stroke happens when there is a lack of blood supply to the brain. It can happen for a variety of reasons. The health and lifestyle of a person can play a role in someone suffering a stroke. High blood pressure, smoking, obesity, high cholesterol, and stress are all factors.
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What are the different types of stroke?
There are three different types of stroke:
The most common type of stroke is an ischaemic stroke. This is caused by a blockage cutting off the blood supply to the brain.
A haemorrhagic stroke is caused by a bleeding in or around the brain.
- Transient ischaemic attack or TIA
A Transient ischaemic attack – also known as a ‘mini stroke’ - is the same as a stroke, except that the symptoms only last for a short period of time. This is because the blockage that prevents blood from reaching your brain is temporary.
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What are the symptoms of a stroke?
Experts have developed the ‘FAST' method for identifying a stroke:
Face. Can the person smile? Is their face drooping on one side?
Arms. Can the person raise both arms? Does one arm move downwards?
Speech. Can the person speak clearly? Are they hard to understand?
Time. Call 999 straight away if you see any of these warning signs.
Other signs of a stroke to look out for include weakness, numbness or an inability to move one side of the body, blurred or lost vision, and difficulty in understanding what people are saying.
Additionally, people may experience memory loss, confusion, dizziness or a sudden and severe headache.
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How should a stroke typically be diagnosed?
In addition to the FAST method, doctors will usually rely on more sophisticated methods to make a full diagnosis.
For example, if someone has a suspected mini stroke, NICE diagnosis guidelines recommend using the 'ROSIER' diagnostic tool.
Doctors will choose from several options when diagnosing a stroke, including:
- Physical examination
- Blood tests
- Brain scans
- Heart and blood vessel tests
- Lumbar puncture.
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Why should I progress a claim with Thompsons’ stroke misdiagnosis solicitors?
We have some of the UK's best medical negligence solicitors on our team, and The Times has ranked us among the top personal injury and medical negligence law firms.
Many of our lawyers are members of both the Law Society’s Clinical Negligence Accreditation Scheme and Action Against Medical Accidents’ (AvMA) referral panel.
Over the last 100 years, Thompsons Solicitors has been helping people obtain justice following personal injuries. We have throughout our history refused to act for those who cause injury or their insurers.
Whatever your circumstances, we will handle your case with compassion, sensitivity, and the level of care it deserves, making sure to understand your story and what you are hoping to gain from your claim.
Request a call back or call us on 0800 0 224 224 to discuss your case.
