Heart attack is the leading cause of death in men and women in the United States. There are about 1.5 million cases of heart attack annually and around 11,000 cases are not properly diagnosed. When detected early, a heart attack can be easily treated and the recovery rate is very high. However, a heart attack can be overlooked or misdiagnosed by ER staff.
A heart attack can lead to permanent disability or even death when left untreated, thus making misdiagnosis in the ER potentially life-threatening.
How Does a Misdiagnosis Happen?
Cases involving medical malpractice are common in Salt Lake City. A heart attack requires prompt diagnosis and treatment to reduce risky and serious medical complications and death. Common factors that lead to misdiagnosis include:
Failure to take a thorough look at medical history
Failure to perform a proper physical examination
Failure to consider heart attack in patients that appear healthy
Failure to consider heart attack in young patients
Failure to consider heart attack in women
Failure to order timely and necessary tests in an emergent manner
Delayed diagnosis/failure to diagnose a heart attack
Improper EKG result reading
Failure to consult cardiac specialists on time
Laboratory error
Overreliance on EKG results
What Are Your Legal Options?
A sudden physical, emotional, and financial impact caused by a heart attack can seriously ruin your life. It is even worse when it results from medical malpractice or negligence. There are legal actions you can take to seek compensation for the damages caused by medical malpractice.
In cases whereby a loved one was lost through a preventable death caused by medical negligence, a wrongful death lawsuit can be filed to recover damages such as medical bills, lost income, suffering, and funeral and burial costs.
Seeking Legal Damages
By filing a civil lawsuit, your medical malpractice claim can be heard in court. However, there are things you need to prove in a court of law to get compensation.
A medical malpractice lawsuit must be filed within two years of the incident. You are obliged to have an affidavit from a medical professional attesting that the claim has merit. Younker Hyde Macfarlane PLLC will assist you in finding a medical professional.
An authority on medical injuries will testify how medical negligence specifically caused you harm due to your doctors’ misdiagnosis
A malpractice insurance carrier offers a settlement if they believe that the policyholder will be found at fault.
In cases where a heart attack results in death, a wrongful death lawsuit can be launched by the surviving family members.
We Can Help
Medical malpractice is an unfortunate occurrence. Many unfortunate events follow a misdiagnosis of a heart attack, most of which are preventable. However, you don’t have to suffer alone for someone else’s mistakes. Contact us..