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Kentucky Failure to Diagnose Heart Conditions Lawyers
Experienced legal representation when your Kentucky doctor fails to diagnose a heart attack
At Crandall & Pera Law, we understand how serious medical mistakes can be, especially when it comes to heart disease and other cardiovascular conditions. The consequences of failing to diagnose a heart condition can be severe, leading to life-threatening complications, permanent damage, or even death. If you or a loved one have suffered because a doctor failed to diagnose a heart condition, you may be eligible for compensation. Our experienced Kentucky medical malpractice lawyers are here to help you understand your rights and fight for the compensation you deserve for your suffering.
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Table of Contents
- Why are heart conditions so often misdiagnosed?
- What are some commonly misdiagnosed heart conditions?
- How does medical malpractice contribute to a misdiagnosis?
- What is the value of my Kentucky failure to diagnose a heart condition claim?
- How can your Kentucky medical malpractice lawyers help with my case?
- How long do I have to file a Kentucky failure to diagnose a heart condition claim?
Why are heart conditions so often misdiagnosed?
Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, but it’s frequently misdiagnosed. Misdiagnosis can happen for many reasons, including the following:
- Not everyone experiences the classic signs of a heart attack, like chest pain. Women, in particular, may have nausea, jaw pain, or fatigue instead. Some doctors might dismiss these symptoms or mistake them for less serious conditions.
- A simple EKG, blood work, or stress test could reveal heart issues, but some doctors might fail to order these tests in time.
- Even when tests are performed, a doctor or other medical professional may misread them, leading to a missed or delayed diagnosis.
- Some doctors assume that younger patients or those who appear “healthy” aren’t at risk for heart conditions, which can cause them to overlook the warning signs.
- Doctors often have limited time with patients, increasing the chances of missing important symptoms.
If a doctor failed to diagnose your heart condition and that failure led to serious harm, you may have a medical malpractice case.
What are some commonly misdiagnosed heart conditions?
Doctors can fail to diagnose a variety of heart conditions, including the following.
Heart attack (myocardial infarction)
Many people believe that heart attacks always come with intense chest pain, but this isn’t always the case. Symptoms can include shortness of breath, pain in the arm, jaw, back, or stomach, dizziness or fainting, cold sweats, and nausea.
Doctors can mistake a heart attack for acid reflux, anxiety, or even a muscle strain. A delayed diagnosis can lead to serious complications or even death.
Coronary artery disease
Coronary artery disease happens when the arteries supplying blood to your heart become narrowed or blocked. Symptoms might be mild at first, but they can develop into life-threatening heart attacks if not diagnosed early.
Aortic dissection
This is a life-threatening condition where the inner layer of the aorta tears. Aortic dissection can cause sudden and severe chest or back pain. Many doctors mistake it for muscle pain or indigestion, delaying lifesaving treatment.
Arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat)
An irregular heartbeat can cause dizziness, fainting, or strokes. If not properly diagnosed and managed, arrhythmias can quickly become deadly.
Heart failure
Heart failure doesn’t mean the heart has stopped. Instead, it means that the heart isn’t pumping blood effectively. Symptoms like swelling, fatigue, and shortness of breath can be dismissed as signs of aging or other health issues.
A failure to diagnose any of the above conditions can have devastating consequences. If your doctor overlooked your symptoms or misdiagnosed your condition, you have the right to seek legal action. The medical malpractice lawyers at Crandall & Pera Law can help.
How does medical malpractice contribute to a misdiagnosis?
Not every misdiagnosis is considered to be medical malpractice. However, if a doctor fails to meet the standard of care that another competent doctor would have provided, they may be held liable. Some examples of medical malpractice in a failure-to-diagnose case include:
- Failing to listen to the patient’s symptoms
- Dismissing warning signs without proper testing
- Misreading test results
- Delaying referrals to specialists
- Failing to recognize risk factors
If you believe that your doctor’s negligence led to your delayed or missed heart condition diagnosis, our legal team can investigate your case and determine whether malpractice occurred.
What is the value of my Kentucky failure to diagnose a heart condition claim?
A failure to diagnose a heart condition or heart attack can cause life-altering consequences. You may face permanent health problems, expensive medical bills, lost income, or the tragic loss of a loved one. If medical malpractice played a role in this, you may be eligible to recover compensation for your:
- Medical expenses, which include past, present, and future costs for hospital stays, medications, surgeries, and any ongoing care.
- Lost wages, if you are unable to work due to your condition. This also includes diminished earning capacity.
- Pain and suffering, which accounts for your physical pain, emotional distress, and reduced quality of life.
- If a loved one died due to a doctor’s failure to diagnose, you may be eligible to recover funeral expenses, loss of companionship, and other damages in a wrongful death
The Kentucky medical malpractice attorneys at Crandall & Pera Law fight to ensure you secure the full and fair compensation you deserve.
How can your Kentucky medical malpractice lawyers help with my case?
At Crandall & Pera Law, we understand that no amount of money can undo the harm that has been done. But, we also believe that negligent medical providers should be held accountable. When you work with us, we can:
- Thoroughly investigate your case to determine how and why your diagnosis was missed.
- Consult with medical experts who can testify about how the doctor’s negligence caused you harm.
- Negotiate aggressively with insurance companies to get you the compensation to which you’re entitled.
- Take your case to trial to fight for your rights if necessary.
We take these cases very personally because we know the impact they have on real people and their families. Our goal is to help you secure your future and find justice.
How long do I have to file a Kentucky failure to diagnose a heart condition claim?
Kentucky has a one-year statute of limitations for filing a medical malpractice lawsuit. This means you have only one year from the date you discovered (or should have discovered) the misdiagnosis to take legal action. There are exceptions, but time is not on your side. If you fail to meet these deadlines, you could lose your right to compensation. If you believe a doctor’s negligence caused your heart condition to go undiagnosed, don’t wait to speak with one of our attorneys.
Kentucky failure to diagnose heart conditions lawyers fighting for you
If you or a loved one suffered harm due to a doctor’s failure to diagnose a heart condition, you deserve answers and justice. At Crandall & Pera Law, we have the knowledge and experience to take on powerful hospitals and insurance companies to fight for you. Contact us today for a free consultation. We’re here to listen to your story, explain your options, and help you take the next steps toward recovery. You don’t pay unless we win your case. Call now, and let us fight for you. Please call our offices or fill out our contact form to schedule your consultation with a Kentucky failure-to-diagnose heart conditions and heart attack attorney. We have offices conveniently located in Lexington and Louisville.