Stroke Patient Sues Emory Johns Creek Hospital For Negligence

DEKALB COUNTY, GA – A medical negligence lawsuit filed in DeKalb County claims that doctors failed to correctly diagnose and treat a Fulton County man’s stroke, which has left him with cognitive defects, the inability to move his left arm or leg, and difficulty speaking and swallowing.

Stefan Lane first visited the Emergency Room at Emory Johns Creek Hospital in December of 2017 reporting neurological symptoms on his left side.

According to the lawsuit, a stroke alert was called, but Lane was not seen by a neurologist. Less than a half hour later, Lane’s left-sided neurological symptoms returned to normal — meaning he had a “mini-stroke” that had resolved.

A mini-stroke is a warning that a more serious stroke may be on the way. While Lane was at Emory, he suffered two additional mini-strokes, making it a total of three.

According to the complaint, Lane is seeking full compensation.

The lawsuit filed by Bell Law Firm says the Emory doctors and nurses failed in multiple ways – doctors failing to order stroke-symptom monitoring at the correct intervals, nurses failing to perform the monitoring that was ordered, providers failing to recognize and respond to stroke symptoms they did observe, doctors failing to order diagnostic tests or neurology consultations urgently, a neurologist who failed to respond to stroke symptoms happening while he observed the patient, suggesting instead a psychiatric explanation – “conversion disorder.”

“Emory dropped the ball with Stefan’s treatment, and violated the standard of care,” said Attorney Lloyd Bell in a news release. “Actually, multiple medical providers at Emory dropped multiple balls. Stefan must now live out his life with catastrophic injuries that rob him of his ability to travel, walk on the beach, carry on a conversation, and enjoy his retirement years.”

An Emory Johns Creek Hospital spokesperson said they couldn't comment due to "pending litigation."