A misdiagnosed heart attack can be a matter of life and death. And unfortunately, heart attacks are all too often misdiagnosed by medical professionals.
If you believe your heart attack was misdiagnosed and you suffered injury as a result, you may have a claim for medical malpractice.
If so, you want an experienced medical malpractice attorney on your side.
At Dempsey, Kingsland & Osteen, we have a team of attorneys who will advocate on your behalf and help you get the most compensation possible for your heart attack misdiagnosis.
What Is a Heart Attack?
A heart attack also called a myocardial infarction, occurs when blood flow to the heart is severely restricted.
Blood flow can be restricted by a buildup of fat, cholesterol, or other material within the arteries. Without blood flow, tissue can lose oxygen and die.
This tissue damage leads to health complications down the line, affecting your heart’s rhythm and preventing it from pumping blood throughout your body.
Some common symptoms of a heart attack include:
- Chest pain or discomfort, which often occurs in the center or the left side of the chest;
- Feeling lightheaded or faint, which is often accompanied by cold sweats;
- Pain or discomfort in the jaw, neck, and back; and
- Shortness of breath, which is usually one of the first symptoms to appear.
Heart attacks can be dangerous, and you should seek medical attention immediately if you are experiencing one of the above or another symptom of a heart attack.
Why Are Heart Attacks Misdiagnosed?
Heart attacks share many of the same symptoms as other medical conditions, slightly increasing the odds a heart attack is misdiagnosed.
However, heart attacks are relatively common, and when providing proper medical care, a medical specialist should be able to understand what is going on.
Unfortunately, heart attacks are commonly misdiagnosed as the following medical issues:
- Acid reflux,
- Bronchitis,
- Anxiety attacks,
- Angina,
- Heartburn, and
- Gallstones.
If you suffered a misdiagnosed heart attack, you should reach out to a medical malpractice attorney as soon as possible.
What Is Medical Malpractice?
Whenever a medical professional fails to perform appropriate testing, recognize symptoms, and/or render the proper treatment, it can lead to a cause of action for a medical malpractice claim.
To prove medical malpractice, you must show the following elements:
- The medical provider had a duty to you,
- The medical provider breached their duty,
- The breach caused you injury, and
- You incurred damages as a result of the injury.
A medical malpractice lawyer can explain the above elements more in-depth and discuss the process of pursuing any claims for medical malpractice arising from a heart attack misdiagnosis.
How Can Dempsey, Kingsland & Osteen Help?
At Dempsey, Kingsland & Osteen, we have over 100 years of combined litigation experience.
Our firm has a reputation for providing every one of our clients with the zealous representation they need after suffering a misdiagnosed heart attack.
To reach out to our office and schedule a free consultation, call us at 816-793-6451.
The legal team at Dempsey Kingsland Osteen works to ensure that the injured are fully compensated for their lasting injuries from medical malpractice or other negligence. We push for comprehensive damages that anticipate the long-term needs of our clients, rather than taking a quick settlement out of convenience.
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