How a Lawyer Helps Georgia Families Get Answers
When you reach out to Newsome Law, the process begins simply: we listen. From there, we gather your loved one’s medical records and imaging, and we coordinate a review with independent medical experts who can examine the care your loved one received and compare it against accepted standards of care.
That review is the heart of what we do. It is a careful, thorough examination, not a rushed opinion. We know how anxious families are to learn the truth, and we work as quickly as possible to give you an accurate answer.
It is worth knowing that sometimes the review confirms that the providers involved acted appropriately despite a tragic outcome. For some families, that answer is hard to accept. For others, knowing that everyone did what they could, and that nothing could have changed the result, brings a measure of peace. At last, they can stop looking for someone to blame and focus on the future. Either way, the clarity has value.
The consultation is free and comes with no obligation to proceed.
Our Process
We guide you through every step with clear communication and compassionate support.
Free Consultation
Call us anytime to discuss your case. We listen carefully and answer all your questions with no obligation.
Medical Review
Our team conducts a thorough investigation with qualified medical experts to determine if malpractice occurred.
Legal Action
If we find evidence of negligence, we build a strong case and handle all legal aspects on your behalf.
Secure Recovery
We fight to secure the financial resources your family needs for long-term care and peace of mind.
What the Review May Uncover
Stroke misdiagnosis happens in a number of ways. Sometimes the patient does not present with the three “classic” warning signs (face drooping, weakness in one arm, and slurred speech) and providers mistake symptoms like headache or nausea for a migraine, vertigo, or anxiety. Brainstem strokes in particular can be especially difficult to identify because they often don’t follow the familiar pattern. In other cases, a stroke is missed because:
- Imaging was delayed or never ordered
- The patient was discharged too early
- No one thought to consult a neurologist
In some cases, a stroke is detected, but the transfer to another hospital takes too long for the treatment to be effective. Georgia has a door-in-door-out time (i.e., how long it takes from when a patient checks into a hospital to when they are discharged for transfer to another hospital) that is higher than the nationwide guideline of less than 120 minutes. Per JAMA, Georgia’s median time for acute ischemic stroke eligible for endovascular therapy is 132 to 144 minutes. For other acute ischemic stroke, the median time is 217 to 258 minutes.
The review examines all of this. It asks: what did the providers do, and what would a reasonable provider have done under the same circumstances? That comparison against the accepted standard of care is how we determine whether the care your loved one received fell short.
The Consequences of a Delayed Diagnosis
Failure to diagnose a stroke can result in permanent brain damage. The exact nature of that damage depends on how serious the stroke was, where in the brain it occurred, and how long it went untreated. Some patients are left with cognitive disabilities that affect memory or communication. Physical disabilities are common as well, leaving patients unable to walk, lift objects, or care for themselves independently.
A rare but especially severe outcome is locked-in syndrome (LIS). LIS affects the nervous system in a way that leaves a patient cognitively intact but completely paralyzed, typically able to move nothing but their eyes. There are no warning signs for it. The only way to prevent LIS and other severe stroke-related brain injuries is to begin treatment within hours of the stroke’s onset. A missed or delayed diagnosis takes that window away.
Why Stroke Misdiagnosis Is a Particular Concern in Georgia
Georgia families face a stroke risk that is higher than the national average. Georgia sits within the “Stroke Belt,” a region of the southeastern United States where stroke death rates are approximately 30 percent higher than the rest of the country. The coastal plains of Georgia fall within the “Stroke Belt Buckle,” where death rates are about 40 percent higher than the national average, according to the Georgia Department of Public Health.
Access to specialized care is not equally distributed across the state. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), around 55 percent of the tri-state Population (GA, NC, and SC) lives within a 30-minute drive of a certified primary stroke center, and about 77 percent within 60 minutes, meaning that for a meaningful portion of Georgians, especially in rural areas, timely access to stroke specialists is simply not available. When distance compounds a delayed diagnosis, the consequences can be devastating.
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From Understanding to Action: What Happens If Malpractice Is Found
If the review reveals that one or more providers did not act in a reasonable or responsible manner, you have a choice to make. You can end your involvement there, with answers in hand. Or you can choose to pursue legal action; if you do, an attorney can manage the entire process on your behalf, handling all paperwork, filings, and negotiations so you can remain focused on your family.
Medical malpractice can take many forms:
- Failing to communicate with other providers
- Failing to act despite clear warning signs of stroke
- Failing to order tests that could have identified it
- Failing to correctly read results
In some cases, the root cause is systemic, such as an understaffed emergency department, inadequate protocols, or a hospital system that did not provide the oversight it should have. Responsibility may rest with an individual provider, an emergency department, a hospital system, or multiple parties.
The goal of legal action is not punishment. It is securing the resources your family may need for expensive ongoing care and rehabilitation, home modifications, lost income, and long-term stability. A verdict or settlement could allow your loved one the care they need, which can cost a family tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars in the first year alone.
| Type of Care | Estimated Cost in Georgia |
| Private duty nurse (hourly rate) | $98/hour |
| Private duty nurse (visit rate) | $135/hour |
| Nursing home — semi-private room (monthly) | $8,800/month |
| Nursing home — private room (monthly) | $9,400/month |
Source: CareScout
Steps to Take While the Details Are Still Fresh
Even before you speak with a lawyer, there are things you can do. Contact the hospital’s records department to request copies of everything they have on your loved one’s care:
- Medical records
- Imaging discs
- Discharge paperwork
Some facilities allow this online; others require a call or an in-person visit. If a hospital drags its feet or denies a request, a lawyer can help you navigate that.
It also helps to write down what you remember: a timeline of symptoms, conversations with providers, anything that struck you as wrong or rushed. Those details matter.
What Sets Newsome Law Apart for Families Like Yours
Families who come to us are not always sure what they want. Some are still in the middle of a crisis, caring for a loved one whose needs change daily, trying to hold everything else together at the same time. Others have been sitting with unanswered questions for months, unsure whether what they are feeling is grief, anger, or something they cannot quite name. We understand that. We are not here to tell you how to feel or what to do.
What we can offer is a steady, experienced presence. That means a thorough investigation, independent medical experts who will take an honest look at the care your loved one received, and an attorney you can actually reach when something comes up. Your family will not be passed off to someone who does not know your case. We keep our caseload manageable because the families we work with are more than a file on a desk.
If we take your case, we do so on contingency, which means no fees unless compensation is recovered. And whatever the review finds, the decision about what comes next belongs entirely to you. We will give you the clearest picture we can and stand by you while you figure out the path forward.
We Are Here to Help With Your Search for Clarity
If you are ready to get answers, or if you still have questions about what a legal review involves and how it could help, the team at Newsome Law is here to listen.
Call us whenever you are ready.
What Our Clients Say
Real stories from families we've helped through difficult times.
5.0
When you’re in a hospital bed all jacked up from an accident and you google best personal injury attorneys, this is who you will find, and they are. Never had been in a lawsuit before and had never needed an attorney. They took such amazing care of me, and handled everything so professionally. A great team of paralegals and attorneys. Thank you so much guys.
5.0
I am so pleased to have worked with this firm. They went above and beyond for my sons case. I would highly recommend this firm to anyone. Always communicated with us, always answered all our questions and fought for my sons case to get the best. Newsome Law thank so much again for all you did. God Bless!
5.0
Partnered with this law firm under unfortunate circumstances and ended up being a great success. They understood the mission and intent, and collectively, conducted all of the behind the scenes work, resulting in a successful end result. If you want one of the best, here’s your opportunity and highly recommended.
5.0
I am so pleased to have worked with this firm. The attention to detail, time spent one on one, not feeling like I was just a number and someone truly caring about what was going on with me and my case was more than I could have ever hoped for. I will use this firm again if I ever need one and will recommend to everyone who asks to reach out to Newsome Law if they find they ever need someone to represent them. More than pleased and happy with everyone and everything from the office. Thank you from the bottom of my heart!
5.0
5 Stars???!!!! These guys deserve the universe!!!!!!! They came through with every promise and were professional, diligent, smart, friendly, and understanding of the situation I was going through every step of the way. Very happy with the customer service so if that’s a thing for you, that’s another reason to go here. Honestly you will be making a mistake if you don’t go here. Rich is top tier in the US for attorneys and he definitely fought hard to get the job done here. If you want your money… GO HERE!!!!!!!
5.0
Just an amazing experience with the Newsome Law firm. Our case was very sensitive and close to our hearts. We were treated with the utmost respect for our situation and everything was handled in a professional and timely manner. We cannot say enough good things about the entire team!
5.0
Newsome Law are fantastic! They have been working on my case for the past 3+ years and I have not once had a bad experience with anyone who works there. They have worked tirelessly to help me through my accident and the medical bills that loomed overhead. I am extremely pleased and grateful to have them, fighting on my side during this period in my life.
5.0
Selecting a Law Firm in a time of tragedy , is one of the most important decisions you will make in your lifetime. There are so many Firms out there that will chase you down , make unrealistic commitments and set unrealistic expectations. This is the last thing that is needed in such a painful and difficult time
Newsome Law Is a step above all the rest. They are not some run-of-the-mill Firm. But rather an experienced Team of established excellence and success. As one of Newsome Law’s grateful clients, they always operated in the best interest of my family. Were always available to take my call , and were compassionate to the pain and needs of my family. Newsome Law is the right Firm for you to choose.
5.0
Newsome Law represented me in a very positive manner. Always professional, courteous, supportive and attentive. They were always able to keep me apprised of the status of my case. The team on my case were always easy to work with and on top of all issues. I never had to wonder where we were at in the process. I would recommend them to anyone needing this type of help in the future.
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