Heart attacks and other heart conditions are the leading cause of death in the United States. Heart conditions are responsible for up to one in five deaths every year.
On average, someone in the United States has a heart attack every forty seconds. Adults aged 65 and older are the most susceptible to heart attacks.
With heart attacks being so common, medical professionals should know what to look for to get patients the help they need immediately. Unfortunately, this is not always the case.
A heart attack misdiagnosis can lead to life-changing injuries and even death. To make matters worse, doctors can prevent many heart attack misdiagnoses by following the proper standard of care.
If you believe you or a loved one has experienced a heart attack misdiagnosis, please contact the medical malpractice lawyers at Poulos & Coates, LLP today.
Consequences of a Heart Attack Misdiagnosis
The misdiagnosed heart attack can lead to dire consequences. Common injuries that stem from a medical professional’s failure to diagnose a heart attack properly include:
- Permanent brain damage,
- Muscle damage,
- Scarring of the heart,
- Heart failure,
- Heart valve problems,
- Depression and anxiety, and
- Death.
These injuries can lead to high medical bills, missed time at work, and a severely reduced quality of life for the victim. A proper heart attack diagnosis can easily prevent many of the consequences.
Can I Sue My Doctor for Misdiagnosis of a Heart Attack?
In many cases, the answer to this question is yes. Doctors and other medical professionals must exercise a strict standard of care when dealing with patients. If they do not live up to this standard of care, then you can hold them liable for any resulting damages.
Often, when a health care provider fails to make a timely and accurate heart attack diagnosis, they have not lived up to their standard of care. In these cases, you should be able to recover damages for any injuries you suffer.
Doctors might also be liable if the misdiagnosis causes the death of an immediate family member.
Heart Attack Misdiagnosis Lawsuit Settlement Amounts
The amount of compensation you can recover after a heart attack misdiagnosis depends on how severe your injury is and how it affects your life. Common recoverable damages after a heart attack misdiagnosis include:
- Long-term care,
- Disability,
- Medical bills,
- Loss of wages,
- Physical rehabilitation,
- Loss of enjoyment,
- Pain and suffering,
- Burial expenses, and
- Loss of companionship.
A majority of medical malpractice lawsuits end in some sort of settlement. Insurance payouts for misdiagnosed heart attacks can range from a few thousand to multiple millions of dollars.
The reason for the broad range is that the level of culpability and severity of injury differ from case to case.
A Lac Cruces, NM Medical Malpractice Lawyer at Poulos & Coates Can Help
If you or a loved one has suffered from a heart attack misdiagnosis, Poulos & Coates, LLP can help. We are one of the few law firms with an attorney/doctor (JD/MD) working on every medical malpractice case.
We also have a nurse on staff who can quickly and effectively identify your injuries. Poulos & Coates, LLP has a proven track record of delivering for our clients, and we care deeply for each and every client. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help with your claim.
Greig Coates, M.D., J.D.
Over the last thirty years, Dr. Coates has successfully represented plaintiffs in every conceivable type of medical malpractice lawsuit–from single-physician cases to complex litigation involving over a dozen doctors and several hospitals. Dr. Coates has taken several thousand physician depositions in his career involving every known physician specialty and sub-specialty, and almost as many depositions involving hospital personnel such as nurses, techs, and administrators. He has tried several dozen cases to successful verdicts.
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