In the United States, 250,000 deaths occur every year due to medical malpractice, making it the third leading cause of death in the country. A Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome misdiagnosis can lead to significant damage, and you deserve compensation if this has happened to you or a loved one in St. Louis, MO. We’re here to help.
At Schultz & Myers Personal Injury Lawyers, we’ve dedicated our entire legal practice to helping the injured. Our St. Louis Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome misdiagnosis lawyers have over 100 years of combined experience, and we’ve secured more than $100 million for our clients to date.
Contact our law offices today for help at (314) 444-4444. We offer a free initial consultation.
How Schultz & Myers Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help With Your Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome Misdiagnosis Case in St. Louis
Since 2010, we at Schultz & Myers Personal Injury Lawyers have been helping people in St. Louis, Missouri, who’ve suffered injuries because of someone else’s negligence. We offer assistance for those who’ve been victims of medical malpractice, providing guidance and helping you get the compensation you deserve.
Our experienced St. Louis medical malpractice lawyers offer comprehensive legal services, including the following:
- Providing a free consultation to assess your claim
- Gathering evidence and documentation
- Negotiating with insurance companies on your behalf
- Fighting for your rights at trial
We’ve received numerous awards, including recognition by The National Trial Lawyers, The Best Lawyers in America, and more. If you’ve sustained injuries and suffered damage because of medical error, turn to our trusted attorneys and legal team today. Your initial case review is free of charge.
Understanding Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome and the Dangers of a Misdiagnosis
Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome is a degenerative brain and memory disorder that occurs from a lack of vitamin B1 (thiamine). It requires immediate treatment and is most often found in people who suffer from malnutrition, have an alcohol use disorder, or have experienced prolonged vomiting.
A thiamine deficiency causes damage to areas of the brain called the thalamus and hypothalamus. Some symptoms you may experience include:
- Low blood pressure
- Vision problems
- Mental confusion
- Lack of muscle coordination
- Hypothermia
- Coma
The condition has two stages, beginning with Wernicke’s encephalopathy. If it’s not treated in time, the condition can progress to Korsakoff syndrome, which damages nerve cells and other supporting cells in the spinal cord and brain. It can cause amnesia and tremors.
Although the condition can be reversed if caught in time, lasting damage might still occur. Memory function can be diminished, and recovery might be incomplete. A vitamin B1 deficiency also has the potential to damage the circulatory system and even the heart.
Medical professionals must be able to quickly spot the symptoms and offer thiamine to prevent the progression of the problem. For people who’ve been under the care of a doctor or other medical professional who didn’t recognize the syndrome or who didn’t act quickly enough, it can be possible to receive compensation.
No patient in a hospital or other care setting should ever develop a thiamine deficiency profound enough to cause Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome. Because of how long the deficiency takes to develop and how easy it can be to prevent and treat, this kind of syndrome in a care setting involves negligence in most instances.
Medical Malpractice: Why You Need Professional Guidance
Medical malpractice is, unfortunately, quite common. In the United States, approximately 99% of all physicians in high-risk specialties face at least one lawsuit by the time they’re 65 years old.
In Missouri, the process of filing a malpractice claim and getting compensation is highly complex. It involves understanding the ins and outs of personal injury law, which is why turning to lawyers is vital.
To file a medical malpractice claim in Missouri, you must do so within two years of the incident. There is also an outer limit of 10 years for medical malpractice claims to protect defendants from open-ended litigation.
In Missouri, plaintiffs have to submit an affidavit when litigation begins to show that the case has merit. The affidavit must come from a medical professional who has practiced recently and who is properly licensed in Missouri or another state. The affidavit must be filed within 90 days of presenting the claim.
You may also need to have expert medical witnesses, who must also have all the requisites that the law demands. Medical malpractice lawyers will have the right contacts to help you present your case.
Schedule a Free Consultation With Our St. Louis Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome Misdiagnosis Lawyers
If you or a loved one suffered a Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome misdiagnosis, you deserve to get compensation for your pain and suffering as well as your financial losses. When you turn to Schultz & Myers Personal Injury Lawyers in St. Louis, Missouri, you can get the assistance you need right from the start.
Contact our St. Louis Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome Misdiagnosis Lawyers today to schedule a free consultation.