Introduction

Liability Risks Related to Stroke
About 800,000 people in the United States suffer a stroke each year and nearly 130,000 of these strokes result in death. Stroke is the fifth highest cause of death in the U. S., with someone dying of a stroke about every four minutes. Stroke also represents both the leading cause of disability and the leading preventable cause of disability in this country.

Stroke-related economic impact is over $34 billion a year, which includes the costs of health care services, the costs of medications to treat stroke, and the expenses attributable to missed days of work.

Patient injuries related to strokes can lead to claims of malpractice or negligence against physicians, hospitals, and other health care providers. This type of litigation may be based on claims related to a stroke resulting from an injury, a stroke induced by medication, a provider’s failure to recognize or treat a person who is about to have a stroke, or the negligent treatment of a person who is having a stroke.

Attorneys, physicians, hospitals, insurers, employers, and others at risk for liability should be aware of the types of litigation issues that may arise in connection with the diagnosis or treatment of stroke.