Here is a description of one brain injury lawsuit successfully prosecuted by Patrick Malone of Patrick Malone & Associates . This lawsuit concerned medical malpractice by a radiologist and by a neurologist in failing to prevent a large and debilitating stroke suffered by a client of our firm. This story shows some of the key features involved in successfully developing and prosecuting a brain injury lawsuit.
Sharon Burke v. Groover Christie & Merritt
Introduction
In December 1999, Sharon Burke was a successful retail men’s wear store manager in the Washington suburbs of Prince George’s County, Maryland. She was 40 years old, single, and popular with her friends for her quick wit and positive outlook.
Sharon 2 years before her stroke
Sharon after the stroke
In December 1999, Sharon Burke underwent an MRI scan of the brain because she had started experiencing strange symptoms: numbness and tingling of his arms and legs, mostly on one side. The scan was reported by radiologists at Groover Christie & Merritt, a large Washington-based radiology group practice, as showing signs of multiple sclerosis, a degenerative disease where nerves lose their insulation sheathing.
The symptoms went away, and Ms. Burke’s neurologist did nothing until she came back to him in July 2000, seven months later, complaining of similar symptoms. This time the symptoms were more dramatic: she had had episodes where her legs suddenly gave way and she fell. Another MRI scan was ordered. This time the report was more equivocal. The radiologist said the scan looked like Ms. Burke might have multiple sclerosis, or an inflammation of blood vessels in her brain, or a stroke from a blood clot.
