Subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH) claims

Subarachnoid haemorrhage or SAH is a type of stroke caused by bleeding into the subarachnoid space between the membranes on the surface of the brain. Subarachnoid haemorrhage happens suddenly and usually without warning. It is a life-threatening, medical emergency.

SAH can be caused by tumours, traumatic birth injuries, infection and other conditions affecting the blood vessels, but is more commonly caused by the rupture of a cerebral aneurysm (a bulge in a weakened blood vessel). Brain aneurysms are often symptomless and can remain undetected until they rupture and bleed into the area around the brain. If a brain aneurysm is detected before it ruptures, for example if the patient has symptoms of impaired vision, facial or eye pain, or persistent headaches caused by pressure on the brain, surgery may be recommended to prevent the aneurysm from rupturing and causing a SAH.

In rare cases, spinal subarachnoid haemorrhage (SSAH) can lead to permanent neurological injury from spinal cord or nerve root compression.

People with cerebral (brain) aneurysm have an increased risk of SAH but may not be aware that they have a brain aneurysm, or of its risks. Patients who are known to have a brain aneurysm should be given medical advice about surgical treatment to reduce the risk of SAH from brain aneurysm rupture.

The risk of SAH is also increased by:  

• smoking;
• high blood pressure;
• drinking excessive amounts of alcohol;
• a family history of SAH;  
• certain other conditions, such as autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD).

Subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH) is a medical emergency. It usually occurs suddenly, without prior warning. Symptoms of SAH include:

• sudden, agonising headache with pain unlike anything experienced before, as if hit on the head;
• stiff neck;
• photophobia (sensitivity to light);
• nausea and vomiting;
• blurred or double vision;
• slurred speech or weakness on one side of the body (similar to stroke);
• loss of consciousness or convulsions (fits).

If someone is suspected to have suffered an SAH, they need emergency admission to hospital where the diagnosis will be confirmed by a CT scan and, if necessary, a lumbar puncture to check their cerebro-spinal fluid for signs of bleeding into the brain.

Subarachnoid haemorrhage medical negligence compensation claims are complex and must be handled by specialist solicitors who are skilled in investigating and quantifying complex brain injury claims.

Subarachnoid haemorrhage and all its associated disability can be caused by some types of medical negligence, such as traumatic birth injury. However, in many cases where SAH occurred suddenly as a result of the rupture of a symptomless, previously undetected brain aneurysm, the claim will relate to any additional disability that was caused by delays in emergency response, diagnosis or treatment.

We work closely with our trusted medical experts to investigate whether the care that our client received from ambulance, A&E and neurosurgical teams met acceptable standards for this life-threatening condition, and whether previous opportunities to identify and minimise our client’s risk of SAH from cerebral aneurysm rupture were acted upon by their doctors.

Mistakes which commonly lead to SAH medical negligence claims include:

• delay or failure to recognise symptoms of SAH;
• delay or failure to refer, transport or admit a patient with suspected SAH to hospital with cranial neurosurgery facilities;
• delay or failure to carry out CT scan, lumbar puncture or other diagnostic tests;
• misinterpretation of CT scans and diagnostic tests;
• delays or errors in surgical treatment to prevent SAH or further bleeding; 
• delay or failure to diagnose brain aneurysm;
• failing to advise a patient with brain aneurysm about risks and benefits of surgical treatment;
• medication errors;
• use of excessive force during forceps or ventouse delivery;
• delays and errors in diagnosis and treatment of infection.

Subarachnoid haemorrhage medical negligence claims usually involve one or more of the following injuries:

• brain injury;
• epilepsy;
• cognitive problems affecting memory, planning and concentration, and daily tasks;
• headaches;
• extreme tiredness and/or problems with sleep;
• weakness and loss of sensation in arms and legs;
• difficulty distinguishing between hot and cold (and associated safety risks);
• impairment of sense of smell and taste;
• visual impairment;
• problems with speech and communication;
• PTSD and psychological problems;
• the death of the patient.

Patients with SAH from ruptured brain aneurysm also remain at increased risk of further life-threatening brain injury from future complications, such as:

• ‘rebleeding’ from a further rupture;
• secondary cerebral ischaemia;
• hydrocephalus.

With correct care, the risks of these future complications can be reduced by preventative medication or surgical treatment.

The amount of compensation that each client receives from their claim depends on the severity of the injury and disability that was caused by their negligent healthcare, the cost of meeting their needs arising from their disability and its impact on their life. Where SAH negligence leads to severe brain injury, the claim may include compensation for:

• pain, suffering and disability;
• costs of care and case management;
• costs of rehabilitation and therapies, such as:
  • physiotherapy;
  • occupational therapy (OT);
  • speech and language therapy;
  • hydrotherapy;
  • psychological counselling;
• costs of private medical treatment or surgery;
• increased costs of suitable accommodation or home adaptations; 
• loss of earnings and pension;
• adapted vehicles, specialist equipment and assistive technology; 
• support for special educational needs (SEN) (if a child);
• Court of Protection deputyship.

Where negligent treatment of a patient with SAH caused their death, we help the deceased’s dependents claim compensation for their loss.