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Connecticut Personal Injury Attorneys Tremont Sheldon PC

Was Your Heart Attack Misdiagnosed?

Last updated on March 22, 2023

Misdiagnosis of a heart attack can be fatal. At Tremont Sheldon P.C. in Bridgeport, Connecticut, our medical malpractice attorneys will help you and your family understand your legal options after being harmed by a doctor’s or hospital’s negligence.

You may be able to file a medical malpractice claim against your doctor or medical facility responsible for your care. You may be entitled to recover compensation to pay for your medical expenses, lost wages, loss of future earnings and pain and suffering.

Common Reasons for Misdiagnosis

A heart attack can present sudden and intense symptoms. In other cases, patients may only experience mild discomfort. Heart attacks affect every patient in a different way, which can lead to a heart attack misdiagnosis.

A heart attack may be misdiagnosed as:

Heartburn
Acid reflux
Anxiety attack
Angina
Bronchitis
Pneumonia

Failure to diagnose a heart attack can cause long-term and fatal complications. Misdiagnosis can happen when doctors or emergency room staff fail to thoroughly review a patient’s medical history, perform a full physical examination, incorrectly read EKG or lab results, fail to consult cardiac specialists or view the patient as “healthy” and not at risk for a heart attack. This is common among younger patients and women.

Fighting to Protect Your Rights and Your Future

A timely and correct diagnosis can save a patient’s life. Our lawyers understand the serious nature of misdiagnosis claims. We will analyze your case to see if the misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis could have been avoided by your doctor.

Misdiagnosis or a delayed heart attack diagnosis can result in patients requiring additional treatments, surgeries and cause premature death. All of these things could be avoided if the heart attack was properly diagnosed from the start.

Do You Have a Claim? Contact Us.

We will carefully review your case to protect your rights. We will guide you through the process of filing a medical malpractice or wrongful death claim in Connecticut. Our law firm offers free consultations to help you learn about your options before it’s too late. Call 203-212-9075 or contact us online.

Medical Malpractice Frequently Asked Questions

How can I be assured of good medical care while in the hospital?

When you are in a hospital, demand specific information:

You and a trusted family member should always know the diagnosis and potential procedure.
Question each procedure before it is started.
Before taking medication, ask what it is for and who prescribed it.
Insist that you know the doctor who is in charge of your case overall.
Before going into the operating room, find out who they think you are, as well as what operation they expect to perform and where upon your body.
You and your family members should not be afraid to complain if you feel the patient is having a problem that is being ignored.
Repeat over and over again any allergies or reactions you may have.
If your instincts say something is wrong, demand to see the doctor in charge.
Never hesitate to ask for and obtain a second opinion.

How long does it take to determine whether I have a medical negligence case?

The investigation to determine whether a medical malpractice case exists can take several months and sometimes over a year. This is why it is very important that you consult with an attorney as soon as possible if you feel that you or a family member has been harmed by medical treatment. Before we can decide whether you have a case, we must obtain copies of all your relevant medical records and reports, including at times x-ray and MRI scans. Typically, these records are provided to an out-of-state medical provider in order to determine whether medical rules and standards have been broken. Sometimes we have to consult with doctors in several different medical specialties before we can make a decision on whether we can bring a case for you.

How much time do I have to bring a case against a medical provider, hospital or nursing home for harm caused to me or a family member?

Under the law, you generally have two years from the date of malpractice or from when you knew or should have known of the malpractice in which to bring a claim in a court of proper jurisdiction. The maximum amount of time for bringing a claim under any circumstances is three years from the date of malpractice. In order to determine the specific limitation that may apply in your case, you should consult with a lawyer as soon as possible. You can also request a 90-day automatic extension of time in which to file suit, which must be filed before the applicable limitation has expired.

How to best survive a Connecticut hospital stay?

To reduce problems during a Connecticut hospital stay, demand specific information. Some guidelines are mentioned below:
• You and a trusted family member should always know the diagnosis and potential procedures.
• Question each procedure that someone is to perform before it is started.
• Before taking medication, ask what it is for and who prescribed it.
• Insist that you know the doctor who is in charge of your case overall.
• Before going into the operating room, find out who they think you are, as well as what operation they expect to perform and where upon your body.
• You and your family members should not be afraid to complain if you feel the patient is having a problem that is being ignored.
• Repeat over and over again any allergies or reactions you may have.
• If your instincts say something is wrong, demand to see the doctor in charge.
• Never hesitate to ask for and obtain a second opinion.

If a patient tragically dies as a result of careless medical care and treatment, can a case still be brought?

Yes. In the tragic situation where careless medical care and treatment result in a patient’s death, a lawsuit can be brought by the administrator of the estate of the person who died, whether or not the person had a will.

What is required under the law in order to bring a case against a medical provider, hospital or nursing home for harm caused to me or a family member?

Under the law, in order to file a medical negligence claim against a medical provider, hospital or nursing home, we must obtain the written and signed opinion of a similar health care provider stating that there have been violations of the medical rules or standards in the care and treatment provided to a patient and the statement must also give a detailed basis for the opinions. The statement must be filed with the lawsuit. In addition, the attorney must also attach a certificate of probable cause that there is a good faith belief that grounds exist for a lawsuit.