The plaintiff, age fifty-five at the time, began to feel dizzy in February 2005. He was also sweating profusely and couldn’t swallow. He went to an emergency room barely able to stand and was placed in a wheelchair and taken to a room. A physician’s assistant evaluated the plaintiff and noted his blood pressure was 221/91. The physician’s assistant reported her findings to emergency room physician. She reported the plaintiff’s symptoms as minor and his complaints vague. A CT scan was ordered and it was not conclusive.

Five hours later the plaintiff was seen by a neurologist who immediately ordered a state MRJ. The MRJ revealed a basilar brain stem stroke. The plaintiff claimed that he suffered permanent neurological deficit and required rehabilitation. The plaintiff claimed that the defendants failed to note his classic stroke symptoms. The plaintiff argued that a timely diagnosis would have reduced his injury by allowing the use of tPA therapy.

The defendants claimed that the plaintiff was properly assessed and disputed the ability of tPA to reduce the plaintiff’s injuries. The defendants specifically claimed that even if a stroke had been diagnosed the plaintiff would not have been given tPA. According to a Jury Verdict Reporter a defense verdict was returned.

With permission from Medical Malpractice Verdicts, Settlements & Experts; Lewis Laska, Editor, 901 Church St., Nashville, TN 37203-3411, 1-800-298-6288.