In October, 2009, my uncle woke up not feeling well. He was experiencing difficulty walking and felt weak. He called his brother (my dad), who took him immediately to his doctor. They explained the symptoms to the office staff. They were told to wait in the waiting room to see the doctor. 1.5 hours later, the doctor saw them. The doctor immediately recognized that my uncle was having a stroke and sent for an ambulance to take him to the hospital.
The doctors at the hospital tell us that there is a "golden hour" where they can take actions to reverse or halt the damage of the stroke.
At the first doctor's office (where he was told to wait) he walked in under his own power, was coherent, and able to communicate. By the time the doctor actually saw him, he was no longer able to walk (barely able to sit) and could no longer speak. He spent that "golden hour" waiting in the waiting room.
My question is this: Since his symptoms were explained to the office staff when they entered the doctor's office, is the office/doctor at all liable for the increased damage he suffered waiting so long to be seen?
He is able to talk now, after a lot of therapy. However, he is not able to use his left side at all, therefore he cannot walk or take care of himself.
The doctors at the hospital tell us that there is a "golden hour" where they can take actions to reverse or halt the damage of the stroke.
At the first doctor's office (where he was told to wait) he walked in under his own power, was coherent, and able to communicate. By the time the doctor actually saw him, he was no longer able to walk (barely able to sit) and could no longer speak. He spent that "golden hour" waiting in the waiting room.
My question is this: Since his symptoms were explained to the office staff when they entered the doctor's office, is the office/doctor at all liable for the increased damage he suffered waiting so long to be seen?
He is able to talk now, after a lot of therapy. However, he is not able to use his left side at all, therefore he cannot walk or take care of himself.
