This case takes place in South Carolina and involves a male patient with permanent limitations to his movement following an ischemic stroke. One day, the patient experienced the sudden onset of severe headache, slurred speech, weakness, and an unequal and uneven smile and facial features. He presented to the ER and was initially diagnosed with a migraine by the defendant physicians. The patient was prescribed Topamax and was sent home. Some time later, the patient returned to the ER and a CT was performed which showed no evidence of hemorrhage. The patient was not administered tPA until later that night, at which point significant neurological damage had occurred. It is alleged that by delaying the administration of tPA, the treatment fell outside of the window of opportunity to prevent permanent injury.
Question(s) For Expert Witness
1. Do you have specific knowledge of strokes and the impact early administration of tPA has on long term outcomes?
2. What are you opinions regarding the potential for tPA to minimize long term complications when administered early?
3. Do you think in this case there was potential to prevent permanent disability if tPA had been administered once the patient was cleared for therapy by CT exam? 4. Please explain your experience reviewing similar cases?
Expert Witness Response E-027369
I am a board certified neurologist with 25 years experience. I am well versed in the management of strokes and the use of tPA. tPA has been proven to minimize the long-term complications of strokes in several clinical trials. In this case there was likely potential to prevent permanent disability if tPA had been administered earlier but I would need to review the relevant medical records in more detail to be sure. It seems that the initial decision to release the patient from the ER was shortsighted, and some sort of imaging study should have been performed. I have done 2-5 expert witness cases involving stroke over the past 25 years.
About the author
Joseph O'Neill
Joe has extensive experience in online journalism and technical writing across a range of legal topics, including personal injury, meidcal malpractice, mass torts, consumer litigation, commercial litigation, and more. Joe spent close to six years working at Expert Institute, finishing up his role here as Director of Marketing. He has considerable knowledge across an array of legal topics pertaining to expert witnesses. Currently, Joe servces as Owner and Demand Generation Consultant at LightSail Consulting.
