If you or someone you love has recently suffered from a stroke, you might benefit from talking with our Fort Lauderdale, FL tPA stroke lawyer. Tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) therapy is the only FDA-approved treatment for ischemic strokes. This treatment method can benefit some patients a great deal, but others suffer risks and further harm.
At Needle & Ellenberg, P.A., we offer our clients legal counsel for complicated medical malpractice cases.
What is tPA therapy?
Tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) therapy is often called “clot-dissolving” medicine. It is used to treat individuals who suffer from an ischemic stroke. These strokes occur when a blood vessel leading to the brain is blocked with a blood clot. Blood, therefore, cannot reach the brain, and the lack of oxygen in the brain leads to a stroke.
Data from the National Stroke Association shows that around 85% of ischemic stroke victims may be effectively treated with tPA therapy. The medicine is administered through an IV and increases the chance that a patient may recover from the stroke if administered within 3 hours of initial symptoms.
What are the risks of tPA therapy?
Despite the benefits of tPA therapy, it is not without risks. The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) states that tPA therapy is not guaranteed to hasten recovery. It is not suitable for all patients, and it may cause severe complications in some cases. These complications could include bleeding in the brain, gastrointestinal bleeding, and other types of severe hemorrhaging that may lead to death.
If the medicine is administered incorrectly or if the victim is not suffering from an ischemic stroke, these complications may still occur without any benefit to the victim.
How might a tPA stroke lawyer help?
If you’ve suffered from a complication due to tPA therapy, you may be entitled to collect financial compensation depending on the circumstances of your case. You may qualify for a personal injury claim or for a medical malpractice claim. A certain amount of risk is involved with nearly all medical procedures, but egregious errors could warrant financial compensation.
Talking with our experienced Fort Lauderdale tPA stroke lawyer is one way to determine if your case could warrant legal action. Determining how to proceed and collecting evidence to bolster your case are two additional ways that our lawyer may assist you.
Contact a tPA Stroke Lawyer in Fort Lauderdale, FL, Today
At Needle & Ellenberg, P.A., we put our clients’ needs first. We know that it can be difficult to recover from a stroke – not just for the victim, but also for the victim’s family. Our firm understands the challenging issues that may factor into stroke treatments and tPA therapy.
For more information about cases involving tPA therapy, or to speak with our Florida tPA stroke attorney, contact Needle & Ellenberg, P.A. today.