Stroke Misdiagnosis Attorney in Waldorf, Maryland

When a hospital sends a stroke patient home with a diagnosis of migraine or vertigo, the consequences can be permanent. Brain cells die within minutes when a stroke goes untreated. The window for clot-busting medication closes after just a few hours.

If you or a loved one suffered lasting harm after an emergency room missed the signs of a stroke, you may have a medical malpractice claim under Maryland law. The Law Office of Robert Castro, P.A. has served Maryland and Washington, D.C. since 1993. Our team handles stroke misdiagnosis claims across Charles County, Calvert County, St. Mary’s County, Prince George’s County, and the District. Call our Waldorf office at (301) 870-1200 to talk through what happened.

How Stroke Misdiagnosis Happens in the ER

A stroke occurs when a blood clot blocks a brain artery or when a blood vessel ruptures. The American Heart Association’s 2026 Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics Update ranks stroke as the fourth leading cause of death in the United States.

Peer-reviewed research estimates that roughly 9% of confirmed stroke patients are initially misdiagnosed at their first emergency department visit. The CDC’s stroke warning signs and F.A.S.T. guidance lists the indicators every clinician should know: face drooping, arm weakness, and speech difficulty.

Common stroke misdiagnosis scenarios in Maryland cases include:

• Dizziness or vertigo dismissed without a CT or MRI scan.
• A younger patient’s symptoms written off as a migraine or anxiety attack.
• A posterior circulation stroke missed because the symptoms do not look classic.
• A patient eligible for tPA not treated within the 3-hour window.
• A transient ischemic attack brushed off instead of treated as a warning sign.

A doctor who fails to order imaging, consult a neurologist, or admit a stroke patient may have fallen below the standard of care Maryland law requires.

Maryland’s Standard of Care in Stroke Cases

Maryland medical malpractice law holds doctors, nurses, and hospitals to the standard of a reasonably competent provider. In a stroke misdiagnosis case, that usually means proving four things:

1. The provider had a duty to evaluate the patient properly.
2. The provider’s actions fell below the accepted standard of care.
3. That failure caused or worsened the patient’s injury.
4. The patient suffered measurable harm as a result.

Proving these elements takes qualified medical experts. These are usually neurologists or emergency physicians who can review the records and testify. Our team works with these experts to build cases for trial in the Maryland Circuit Courts and in federal court when needed.

Damages You May Be Able to Recover

A successful stroke misdiagnosis claim can pay for:

• Past and future medical expenses, including rehabilitation and long-term care.
• Lost wages and reduced future earning capacity.
• Pain and suffering.
• Loss of enjoyment of life.
• Transportation and home modification costs.
• Wrongful death damages, if a family member died as a result.

Maryland caps non-economic damages in medical malpractice cases under Md. Code, Cts. & Jud. Proc. § 3-2A-09. Your attorney can explain how the cap applies to your case.

Maryland’s Filing Deadlines and Expert Certificate Rule

Under Md. Code, Cts. & Jud. Proc. § 5-109, you must file a medical malpractice claim within the shorter of two deadlines:

• 5 years from the date of the injury, or
• 3 years from the date you discovered (or reasonably should have discovered) the injury.

Whichever deadline comes first controls the case. Different rules apply to minors and to claims involving incapacitated patients.

Maryland also requires a Certificate of a Qualified Expert, filed within 90 days of the lawsuit. The rule is set by Md. Code, Cts. & Jud. Proc. § 3-2C-02. The certificate must come from a qualified medical professional who attests that the standard of care was breached. Missing either deadline can end your case before it starts.

Why Families Choose Castro Law Group

• Serving Maryland and D.C. since 1993, with more than 30 years representing injury victims.
• A local office in Waldorf at 11701 Central Avenue, Suite 200.
• Contingency fee representation, so you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you.
• Evening and weekend appointments, plus hospital and home visits when injuries prevent travel.

We are part of a broader personal injury practice that handles serious injury cases of every kind, with medical malpractice as a core focus area.

Talk to a Maryland Stroke Misdiagnosis Attorney Today

A missed or delayed stroke diagnosis can change a life forever. Our Waldorf medical malpractice team will review your records, work with qualified medical experts, and tell you honestly whether you have a case.

Call (301) 870-1200 or contact us to schedule a consultation. We answer questions every day from clients across Charles County, Calvert County, St. Mary’s County, Prince George’s County, and Washington, D.C.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do I have to file a stroke misdiagnosis lawsuit in Maryland?

You have the shorter of 5 years from the date of injury or 3 years from when you discovered the injury, under Md. Code, Cts. & Jud. Proc. § 5-109. The 3-year clock often runs out first in misdiagnosis cases. Call (301) 870-1200 to discuss your timeline.

How much does it cost to hire a medical malpractice attorney?

Nothing up front. Castro Law Group handles stroke misdiagnosis cases on a contingency fee basis. You pay attorney fees only if we recover compensation for you. We discuss case costs and fee terms during your first consultation.

Do you offer evening or weekend appointments for medical malpractice clients?

Yes. We schedule evening and weekend consultations for clients who cannot meet during regular business hours. If your injuries keep you home or in the hospital, we can come to you.

What counties in Maryland do you serve for stroke misdiagnosis cases?

We represent stroke misdiagnosis clients across Charles County, Calvert County, St. Mary’s County, and Prince George’s County, plus the District of Columbia. Our office is at 11701 Central Avenue, Suite 200, Waldorf, MD.

What is a Certificate of a Qualified Expert and do I need one?

Yes. Maryland law requires this document in nearly every medical malpractice case. It must be filed within 90 days of the lawsuit and signed by a qualified medical professional confirming the standard of care was breached. Your attorney coordinates this for you.

Can I still file a claim if my loved one died from an undiagnosed stroke?

Yes. Maryland allows wrongful death and survival actions when medical negligence causes death. Different filing deadlines apply, so contact a Maryland medical malpractice attorney as soon as possible to protect the claim.