Subarachnoid Haemorrhage Compensation

Subarachnoid Haemorrhage Compensation

If a subarachnoid haemorrhage has been misdiagnosed or negligently treated, you may be able to make a compensation claim.

What is a subarachnoid haemorrhage?

A subarachnoid haemorrhage is a serious, often life-threatening, type of stroke caused by a bleed on the brain. It can often occur when a person is undertaking some form of physical exertion.

The cause of a subarachnoid haemorrhage can include a burst blood vessel in the brain (a ruptured aneurysm) or severe trauma to the head. People at higher risk of a subarachnoid haemorrhage include those that smoke, drink excessive alcohol or have high blood pressure.

How is a subarachnoid haemorrhage diagnosed and treated?

Symptoms of a subarachnoid haemorrhage can include:

• Sudden onset of a very severe headache
• Nausea and vomiting
• Changes in vision, such as sensitivity to light and/or double or blurred vision
• Stiffness in the neck
• Slurred speech
• Weakness down one side of the body
• Reduced level or loss of consciousness
• Uncontrollable shaking / seizures

If a subarachnoid haemorrhage is suspected, it is vitally important that urgent medical treatment is sought.

A full history should be taken, to include details such as a description of symptoms, including how and when the symptoms developed, and any relevant past medical history. A CT scan should then be performed which can detect bleeding on the brain. A lumbar puncture can also be helpful in diagnosing a subarachnoid haemorrhage.

Once diagnosed, it is likely specialist neurological care and treatment will be required, often at a specialist hospital. Further tests may also be performed in order to identify the treatment needed, including an MRI scan.

Medication such as Nimodipine (which works to improve blood flow so as to prevent brain damage caused by reduced blood supply to the brain) can be given for a few weeks. Other medications can also be given to relieve the symptoms of a subarachnoid haemorrhage, including pain relief and antiemetics (anti-sickness medication).

Surgery may also be required to repair the burst blood vessel, often by the insertion of coils or a clip.

Whatever the treatment, recovery from a subarachnoid haemorrhage can be prolonged and frustrating.  Patients can also continue to suffer debilitating symptoms including severe tiredness, difficulties sleeping and headaches. Often they will require a lot of support, both physically and mentally.

What if a subarachnoid haemorrhage is misdiagnosed?

Urgent medical treatment is required for a subarachnoid haemorrhage due to the risk of it causing further damage and injury, including further bleeding, permanent brain damage or even death.

A subarachnoid haemorrhage can also cause epilepsy, fluid on the brain (hydrocephalus), cognitive dysfunction and changes in mood. It is therefore vitally important that a prompt diagnosis is made, in order to minimise the damage caused to a patient, which can often have devastating effects.

Can you make a compensation claim?

If you think you have suffered a delay in diagnosis or negligent treatment of a subarachnoid haemorrhage, you may be eligible to claim compensation. Please contact us for advice if you feel you may have a subarachnoid haemorrhage compensation claim, or have suffered any form of clinical negligence.

Due to the complex medical and legal issues involved you need to talk to a specialist clinical negligence solicitor. We understand all the implications of a subarachnoid haemorrhage and can maximise your compensation if your claim is successful.

It is important to contact us as soon as possible. This is because there are strict time limits in place for making a claim for compensation. Once contacted, our solicitors will be able to advise you specifically on the facts of your own case. We even have an in-house dual-qualified doctor/solicitor who can assist in assessing whether or not you may have suffered from clinical negligence.

you think you have suffered due to a misdiagnosed or negligently treated scaphoid fracture, you may be eligible to claim compensation. Please contact us for advice if you feel you may have a scaphoid fracture compensation claim, or have suffered any form of clinical negligence.

It is important to contact us as soon as possible. This is because there are strict time limits in place for making a claim for compensation. Once contacted, our solicitors will be able to advise you specifically on the facts of your own case. We even have an in-house dual-qualified doctor/solicitor who can assist in assessing whether or not you may have suffered from clinical negligence.

Why choose us?

• We offer free initial advice and free assistance drafting a letter of complaint.
• We won’t charge you anything upfront, and we work on a No Win, No Fee basis.
• Our specialist team includes a dual-qualified Doctor/Solicitor. 

Why choose Oliver & Co Medical Negligence team? – Read our guide.

You can direct dial our Clinical Negligence Department on 01244 354688 or fill in our contact us form.

Case studies:

Every year we help lots of clients just like you to claim the compensation they deserve. The case study below demonstrates how we have helped a client claim compensation in respect of the care and treatment of subarachnoid haemorrhage in the past. Please be aware that the compensation amounts depend on the client’s individual situation and experiences. To see how much your claim could be worth please contact us directly.

Case Study 1: £2,000 in Compensation

• Our client began to suffer severe headaches and nausea and underwent a brain scan which she was told was normal.
• Her headaches continued and, tragically, a few years after the scan, and just two days after giving birth to her baby, she collapsed. She had suffered a subarachnoid haemorrhage as a result of a ruptured aneurysm in her brain.
• Our client was left permanently disabled, with paralysis down her left side.

How we helped:

• Our client brought a claim for failing to diagnose an aneurysm on the earlier scan, which could have been treated by way of coiling had it been diagnosed. This would have prevented the subarachnoid haemorrhage and the resulting permanent paralysis subsequently suffered.
• The defendant admitted liability and awarded our client £2 million in compensation.
• This compensation enabled our client to obtain the necessary accommodation, aids and assistance she required as a result of her injuries.

How can we help you?

Our team of specialist clinical negligence solicitors specialise in dealing with claims arising from the negligent treatment or delayed diagnosis of subarachnoid haemorrhage. We understand that it is vital for medical professionals to diagnose and treat the condition as early as possible, so as to reduce, or even prevent, life-changing and life-threatening injury.

We have experience in dealing with subarachnoid haemorrhage compensation claims (please see case study above).

We have also developed brilliant working relationships with experts in many different fields (including Neurology, Occupational Therapy and Psychiatry) who we know to be approachable and reliable in assisting us with subarachnoid haemorrhage compensation claims which allows us to ensure we get great expert advice for our clients.

Our team is headed by a dual-qualified doctor and solicitor, so we benefit from in-house medical knowledge. Our team of specialist clinical negligence solicitors would be happy to help. We can quickly and efficiently assess any areas of potential negligence for a wide range of claims.

Want to have a free and confidential chat in relation to a potential subarachnoid haemorrhage claim? Give our team of specialist clinical negligence solicitors a call on 01244 354688.