Failure to Diagnose Heart Attack Medical Malpractice?

Misdiagnosis and Failure to Diagnose

Misdiagnosis or failure to diagnose often is caused by improper medical care, delayed treatment, or no treatment. This malpractice may worsen the patient’s medical condition and result in severe damage or even death. These elements, negligence, causation, and damages are all necessary components to pursue a medical negligence claim.

Heart conditions including a heart attack can be challenging to diagnose. When a patient
presents with a heart attack and the physician fails to identify and treat it promptly, it may be medical negligence. When it causes severe damage to the heart muscle or even death, it may be a medical malpractice claim.

Most Common Symptoms of a Heart Attack

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a heart attack occurs when a blood vessel in the heart gets blocked or spasms and the circulatory system functions improperly.

The most common symptoms of a heart attack are:

• Discomfort or pain in stomach, jaw, back, arm, or shoulder
• Chest Pain
• Dizziness or lightheadedness
• Sudden Weakness
• Heightened anxiety
• Shortness of breath and sweating
• Nausea or vomiting
• Feel like an elephant sitting on your chest

Misdiagnosing a Heart Attack as the following conditions:

A heart attack is often misdiagnosed as:

• Heartburn
• Acid reflux
• Angina
• Anxiety attack

How Does a Doctor Diagnose a Heart Attack?

In most cases, doctors diagnose a heart attack by conducting a physical exam, reviewing the patient’s medical history, and performing essential tests including an Electrocardiogram (EKG or ECG), and lab work.

Permanent Damages caused by Misdiagnosing a Heart Attack

Without immediate medical care for a heart attack, the patient may suffer permanent heart damage or even death. Permanent heart damage can cause a lifetime of pain and disability.

In Florida, Doctors Can “Go Bare”

As a patient, you need to know that Florida medical malpractice law does not require Florida doctors to carry malpractice insurance. When a doctor “goes bare”, it means that doctor chooses not to carry malpractice insurance.

Should that doctor make a mistake that causes injury or death, the doctor is not immune from being sued, but the injured person may never be able to collect compensation for that injury. If a doctor elects to go bare, there should be a notice in the office of that election. Each patient should carefully choose their doctor.

Start Your Free Consultation with a Medical Malpractice Lawyer

At Clark, Fountain, La Vista, Prather, Littky-Rubin, we elect to pursue claims against “bare doctors” understanding we all need to be held accountable for our mistakes and compensate those who are injured by others.

If you or someone you love was harmed due to a misdiagnosis or failure to diagnose a medical condition that caused damage or death, you may have a potential medical malpractice claim. We encourage you to contact an experienced medical malpractice attorney to discuss your legal options. Call 561-899-2100 for a Free Consultation today.