On 14 March 2010 the deceased suffered a stroke due to vertebral artery dissection; she died on 27 August 2014. The central allegations were the failure to diagnose and treat the stroke with thromobolysis or aspirin. The claims were for pain and suffering of the diseased and the psychological injury of her husband. No claim was made in respect of the death itself.
A crucial issue was the time of onset of stroke symptoms; if a patient wakes up with such symptoms their time of onset is uncertain. There is only a 3 hour (licensed; or longer, unlicensed) window of opportunity from the time of onset of symptoms for thrombolytic therapy to be administered.
The court considered NICE guidelines on stroke.
The claims failed.
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