Subarachnoid Haemorrhage Left Untreated
A subarachnoid haemorrhage is a medical emergency. It must be treated immediately if the patient is to avoid life threatening or life-changing complications. If left untreated, it will almost certainly lead to disability or death.
Subarachnoid haemorrhage
A subarachnoid haemorrhage is when there is bleeding on the brain. More specifically, the bleeding occurs in the fluid-filled space in the pia and the arachnoid layers of the brain. It is normally caused by an aneurysm. Less commonly a subarachnoid haemorrhage will arise as a result of another medical condition, such as a brain tumour or an infection.
The clinical presentation of a subarachnoid haemorrhage will almost always begin with a sudden, severe headache. This is referred to as a thunderclap headache. The individual may fall unconscious, and upon waking will find that they are suffering with a stiff neck, sensitivity to light and vomiting.
Treating subarachnoid haemorrhage
Treatment must be provided immediately if a patient is recover. Sadly some patients will die before reaching hospital. But for those who are admitted and treated in time, the outlook has much improved over the past few decades. Nevertheless, the recovery process can be slow and frustrating, particularly if the haemorrhage has caused some form of dysfunction or disability.
Subarachnoid haemorrhage not treated
Complications will almost certainly arise if a subarachnoid haemorrhage is not treated quickly enough. Out of every 100 patients, around 30% will die before being admitted to hospital. If treatment is not given in hospital, around 50% will re-bleed within six weeks, increasing the risk of disability or death. After 10 years, only 20% will still be alive and 10% will be disabled.
Therefore the outlook for a subarachnoid haemorrhage is very pessimistic without treatment. This means it is essential that medical practitioners immediately admit a patient suspected of suffering a subarachnoid haemorrhage, and commence investigations and treatment without delay.
Doctors did not treat haemorrhage
If you have been left with a disability because doctors did not treat a subarachnoid haemorrhage in time, or your loved one has been left disabled or died, you need to seek expert legal advice.
Medical practitioners should be aware of the symptoms of a subarachnoid haemorrhage and should be fully aware of the need to treat the condition immediately. A failure to do so will amount of a substandard level of medical care. If this causes a patient harm, there may be grounds for a negligence claim.
For more information on medical compensation claims, please contact us today.
Free, no obligation enquiry
We offer everyone a free, no obligation enquiry. This means you can talk to a solicitor completely free of charge. After this consultation you will be given expert legal advice, during which you will be told whether you have grounds to make a claim.
Please call us free on 0800 234 3300 (or from a mobile 01275 334030) or complete our Online Enquiry Form.
Make An Enquiry
Why Choose Us
- Specialist medical negligence solicitors
- Free initial enquiries
- No win, no fee available
Reviews
"I would like to say a big thank you to you for making this whole process easy and relatively painless. You kept me informed throughout and you were always polite and courteous in all forms of communication. I would not hesitate to recommend you to friends and family, so a really big thank you and I wish you all the best in the future."
Mr A.
Our Expertise
Helping Clients Across England & Wales
Free Medical Negligence Guide
'7 Questions You Must Ask Before Choosing A Medical Negligence Solicitor'