How Hanson Fuller Resolved a Catastrophic Stroke Misdiagnosis Case with an Eight-Figure Settlement in Under One Year
At Hanson Fuller, we focus on complex medical malpractice cases, especially those involving delayed diagnosis of stroke. In one recent case, we represented a man whose life was forever changed due to an inexcusable breakdown in emergency medical care.
While the outcome was tragic, we were able to secure a resolution that was both life-sustaining and legally extraordinary: a confidential stroke misdiagnosis settlement in the eight-figure range, achieved less than one year from the date of the malpractice event. In the world of medical negligence litigation, that kind of result, in that kind of timeline, is virtually unheard of.
This case study explains what happened, what went wrong, and how we helped our client find justice.
A Routine Morning Turns Into a Medical Emergency
On one fateful morning, our client awoke at home and began his day normally. He spoke with his spouse, used the bathroom, and returned to bed. But within a short time, something was clearly wrong.
His wife found him disoriented and nonverbal, drooling and shaking, unable to respond to her voice. She called 911. He was transported by ambulance to the emergency department of a Georgia hospital certified as a stroke treatment center.
When he arrived, he was showing classic symptoms of a left middle cerebral artery (MCA) stroke, including:
- Right-sided weakness
- Severe aphasia (inability to speak or understand language)
- Altered mental status (confusion)
- Gaze deviation (inability to look in one direction)
These are hallmark signs of a large vessel occlusion (LVO) — a type of stroke caused by a major artery blockage that requires immediate imaging and rapid escalation of care.
Unfortunately, that’s not what happened.
A Devastating Delay in Diagnosis
Despite presenting as a stroke alert and having an NIH Stroke Scale score over 20 (indicating a severe stroke), a CT Angiogram (CTA), the imaging test that reveals blood flow in the brain, was not ordered until over an hour after his arrival.
Once ordered, the CTA was not performed or interpreted promptly. It took nearly seven hours from arrival for the imaging to be reviewed by a radiologist.
During this time, medical providers, including emergency department staff and a remote neurologist, pursued a different diagnosis: a seizure followed by postictal confusion. They incorrectly concluded that our client was outside the treatment window for thrombolytics (clot-busting medication) and failed to initiate transfer to a comprehensive stroke center.
Only after the delayed CTA confirmed a complete blockage of the left MCA artery did transfer discussions begin. But by then, nearly 11 hours had passed. By the time our client arrived at a hospital equipped for neurosurgical stroke intervention, the window for treatment had closed.
Permanent Injury and a Fight for Justice
As a result of these failures, our client suffered a massive, preventable stroke. He now lives with:
- Global aphasia (complete loss of language abilities)
- Profound neurologic impairment
- A need for continuous assistance with daily living
His spouse has become his full-time caregiver.
We filed suit against the hospital and providers, alleging multiple forms of negligence, including:
- Failure to recognize and respond to signs of a major stroke
- Delay in ordering and interpreting brain imaging
- Outdated stroke protocols that didn’t reflect current medical standards
- Poor coordination between in-person care and virtual neurology consultation
- Systemic failure to safeguard patients from diagnostic delays
A Rare and Powerful Result
Within six months of filing suit, and less than one year from the date of the medical error, Hanson Fuller secured a confidential eight-figure settlement on behalf of our client.
That timeline, paired with the size of the recovery, is extraordinarily rare in the realm of medical malpractice. These cases often take years to litigate, especially when multiple defendants, hospitals, and insurers are involved.
This result provided long-term care resources for our client while delivering meaningful accountability, something that was deeply important to his family.
Stroke in the U.S.: Fast Action Saves Lives
Strokes remain a leading cause of disability and death in the United States:
- Every 40 seconds, someone in the U.S. suffers a stroke
- Every 3.5 minutes, someone dies from one
- 87% of strokes are ischemic caused by clots blocking blood flow to the brain
- Timely treatment (often within 3–6 hours) can drastically reduce damage and improve outcomes
Delays in treatment, even by an hour or two, can mean the difference between full recovery and permanent brain damage.
In our client’s case, a timely CTA and rapid transfer to a stroke center could have preserved his ability to speak, walk, and live independently.
Our Specialty: Stroke Malpractice Litigation
At Hanson Fuller, we’ve built a reputation for successfully handling stroke-related medical malpractice cases, including:
- Misdiagnosis of stroke as seizure, migraine, or other non-emergent condition
- Delayed or missed CTA or MRI brain imaging
- Failure to administer tPA (clot-dissolving drugs)
- Delayed or denied transfer to stroke intervention hospitals
- Errors in remote neurology (“telestroke”) consultations
We understand the time-sensitive nature of stroke care. We know the medical standards. And we move quickly to preserve records, build the case, and hold healthcare systems accountable.
Why It Matters
At Hanson Fuller, we are committed to telling our clients’ stories with precision, compassion, and courage. This case is a powerful example of:
- What it means to take urgent, high-stakes action on behalf of a severely injured client
- How deep medical knowledge and litigation experience can expose systemic failures
- Why every second — and every decision — matters in stroke care
When stroke protocols break down, the consequences are permanent. Families deserve answers. Patients deserve justice. And our team is here to fight for both.
If you or a loved one has suffered due to delayed stroke diagnosis or emergency room negligence, you deserve a legal team that moves fast, digs deep, and delivers results.
Let Us Help You
Call Hanson Fuller today for a free and confidential consultation. We’ll review your case with care, explain your options, and fight for the results you deserve.