Brooklyn Failure to Diagnose Heart Attack Attorneys
Coronary heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, according to the American Heart Association. Unfortunately, the failure to diagnose a heart attack is also one of the most common forms of medical malpractice. When a diagnosis of heart disease is missed -- and your health is harmed -- medical malpractice may have occurred.
If you or a family member has suffered because of a doctor’s failure to diagnose a heart attack, you may be entitled to money for your damages. The experienced medical malpractice attorneys of Schwartzapfel Partners P.C. will provide a free case evaluation when you contact us at 1.800.966.4999 or via our online contact form. We will protect you! We serve clients throughout Brooklyn, New York, including Brooklyn Heights, Prospect Park, Flatbush, Park Slope, Coble Hill, Clinton Hill, DUMBO and Borough Park.
Failure to Diagnose a Heart Attack
Coronary heart disease can occur when plaque builds up inside the arteries that supply the heart with oxygen-rich blood. When these arteries are narrowed or blocked, a heart attack can result. Without quick treatment, a heart attack can lead to lasting health problems and even death.
Due to the frequency and severity of coronary heart disease, any delay in diagnosis can be fatal. Once the warning signs are recognized, treatment should be initiated quickly to possibly prevent or reverse the damage of a heart attack.
Some Doctors Ignore or Misdiagnose the Symptoms
Common symptoms of a heart attack may mirror symptoms of other medical conditions. Patients may have chest discomfort, discomfort in other areas of the upper body, shortness of breath, cold sweats, nausea or lightheadedness. These symptoms are often misdiagnosed as heartburn, panic attacks, muscle strain, bronchitis, or pneumonia. A patient who visits a doctor with any of these symptoms should be subjected to certain diagnostic tests in order to confirm or rule out the possibility of a heart attack. When a doctor fails to conduct these tests or misreads the test results, a heart attack can go undetected and result in death.
The Pitfalls of the ER
Heart attack victims are often seen in the emergency room, which subjects them to the fast-paced and overcrowded conditions that accompany emergency care. Emergency rooms are the site of numerous medical errors each year -- errors that may result in injury, worsening of an existing medical condition, or death. Although the most severe symptoms of heart attacks are hard to miss, there are varying degrees of severity. People who experience less serious symptoms are more likely to die from an undiagnosed heart attack. There are several tests that can be performed to look at a person’s heart, including coronary angiographies, CT scans, echocardiographies, electrocardiograms, and MRIs.
The Responsibility of the Medical Community
Some heart attacks are sudden and intense, but most heart attacks start slowly, with mild pain or discomfort. A person who is experiencing a heart attack should be able to depend on proper medical care. Such intervention is necessary for survival. Given the widespread occurrence of heart disease, doctors need to be able to spot the telltale signs of heart disease and heart attacks in the patients they examine so that they can provide the appropriate treatment.
Failure to diagnose heart disease or mistaking heart disease for another condition can pose devastating consequences for a patient. The doctor responsible can be held accountable for failing to make the correct diagnosis. A medical malpractice lawsuit can help victims of an improperly diagnosed heart attack recover for the damages they incurred, including medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
If you have been the victim of medical misdiagnosis, you may have a medical malpractice claim. In order to recover the damages to which you are entitled, it is important to work with skilled attorneys during this challenging time. As you fight for your health, the experienced attorneys of Schwartzapfel Partners P.C. will fight to help you recover the money you need for your medical care and other expenses.
Our knowledgeable heart attack lawyers can help if you or a loved one was hurt by a doctor’s failure to diagnose a heart attack. We will not collect a fee unless you are successful in your case. Please contact us at 1.800.966.4999 or fill out our online contact form for a free case evaluation. Let us concentrate on your legal case while you concentrate on your health.
