Baltimore Heart Attack Medical Malpractice Lawyer

Baltimore Heart Attack Medical Malpractice Lawyer

Have you or a loved one suffered the devastating consequences of a heart attack misdiagnosis? You’re not alone. Misdiagnosed heart attacks are a serious issue, and victims deserve justice for the harm that has been done to them. A Baltimore heart attack medical malpractice lawyer from Peter Angelos Law can be your ally in seeking compensation and holding negligent healthcare providers accountable for their actions.

Our experienced team understands the complexities of heart attack misdiagnosis cases and is committed to fighting for the rights of those affected. We recognize the emotional and physical toll such situations can take on individuals and their families. With a significant understanding of medical malpractice law, our Baltimore heart attack medical malpractice lawyers will diligently investigate your case, working to build a strong legal strategy.

If you or a loved one has suffered due to a heart attack misdiagnosis, don’t hesitate to reach out. Call us at 410-705-2405 for a free consultation and let us help you pursue the justice and compensation you deserve.

A man having chest pains and a woman on the phone.

Understanding Heart Attack Misdiagnosis

When doctors fail to correctly identify a heart attack or other cardiac events, including heart disease, by recognizing the symptoms, it results in heart attack misdiagnosis. This distressing reality can result in severe consequences for patients, possibly leading to:

  • Death
  • Disability
  • Extensive heart muscle damage
  • Urgent medical care required for heart attack patients

Common Reasons for Misdiagnosis

Several factors contribute to the misdiagnosis of heart attacks, such as inadequate training, insufficient personnel, and exhaustion among medical staff. These factors can result in the failure to recognize chest pain as a symptom of a heart attack. Undertrained medical staff may not order necessary tests, like an EKG, or might overlook the symptoms and signs of a heart attack, leading to a delay in restoring blood flow to the heart.

Understaffing in healthcare facilities and the overtiredness of medical personnel also play a significant role in the misdiagnosis of heart attacks. Overworked staff may not adhere to protocols and could provide delayed treatment for myocardial infarction, severely compromising patient care.

Impact on Patients

The consequences of a misdiagnosed heart attack can be dire for patients. Potential outcomes may include:

  • Cardiac muscle necrosis and scarring
  • Permanent neurological damage
  • Readmission to the hospital after initial treatment
  • Fatality

Timely medical intervention is critical for patients who experience a heart attack or cardiac arrest, and any delay in treatment can result in permanent heart damage or death.

Consultation with Peter Angelos Law will provide clarity regarding your legal options in the event of a misdiagnosed heart attack.

Medical Malpractice in Heart Attack Cases

Medical malpractice is a form of substandard behavior where a healthcare provider’s conduct fails to meet the accepted standard of care, resulting in harm or death to a patient. In heart attack cases, medical malpractice may arise from negligence, such as:

  • Failure to properly interpret EKG or lab results
  • Misreading symptoms and failing to order necessary tests
  • Delayed or missed diagnosis due to negligence in recognizing symptoms

Establishing Negligence

Proof of negligence in heart attack medical malpractice cases requires evidence that the healthcare provider did not fulfill their professional duties or provide care that meets the accepted standard. This may involve showing that the medical provider provided incorrect, careless, or negligent treatment to the patient.

If a breach of duty of care caused an injury or the worsening of an illness, it might be classified as medical malpractice. This is laid out in state statute Maryland Annotated Code, Courts and Judicial Proceedings §3-2A. The Medical Malpractice Act states: “All claims, suits, and actions … by a person against a health care provider for medical injury allegedly suffered by the person … are subject to and shall be governed by the provisions of this act”.

The standard of care for diagnosing and treating heart attacks involves conducting blood tests, executing diagnostic procedures, initiating early treatment, and providing medication, surgery, procedures, or implantable devices. To demonstrate negligence in a misdiagnosed heart attack case, a patient should obtain medical records, seek counsel from medical providers, ascertain the standard of care, illustrate causation, and record damages.

Potential Defendants

Potential defendants in heart attack medical malpractice cases could include emergency room staff and healthcare providers who inaccurately diagnose heart-related issues. Emergency room staff play a crucial role in diagnosing heart conditions by conducting initial assessments, performing electrocardiograms (ECGs) and blood tests, and initiating further diagnostic tests to confirm or rule out heart conditions.

Healthcare providers can be held liable for a failure to diagnose a heart attack if they fail to order necessary tests, recognize and interpret the symptoms of a heart attack, or provide timely and appropriate treatment.

Seeking Compensation for Heart Attack Medical Malpractice

Victims of heart attack medical malpractice could be eligible for compensation to cover physical, financial, emotional, or psychological damages they have incurred. The process for seeking compensation for heart attack medical malpractice involves the following steps:

  1. Collecting evidence
  2. Consulting with a medical malpractice lawyer from Peter Angelos Law
  3. Filing a lawsuit
  4. Discovery phase
  5. Negotiation or settlement
  6. Trial
  7. Receiving compensation

Economic Damages

Economic damages in heart attack medical malpractice cases generally include:

  • Medical expenses
  • Lost wages
  • Diminished future earning capacity
  • Assistive devices
  • Medication costs incurred by the plaintiff due to the injury

To determine medical expenses and lost wages, the costs of medical procedures, hospital stays, medications, and other necessary medical interventions, as well as the individual’s current income and potential future earnings, must be taken into account.

The Role of a Baltimore Heart Attack Medical Malpractice Lawyer

A Baltimore heart attack medical malpractice lawyer can provide experienced advice on medical malpractice law, scrutinize medical records, and aid in negotiations related to medical negligence cases. Peter Angelos Law can help protect an individual’s rights and pursue fair and full compensation for the harm caused by a misdiagnosed heart attack.

Medical Malpractice Case Evaluation

To assess the validity of heart attack medical malpractice claims, a Baltimore heart attack medical malpractice lawyer conducts the following steps:

  1. Comprehensive review of the medical records
  2. Confer with medical providers
  3. Assess the impact of the misdiagnosis on the patient’s health and quality of life
  4. Consider the possibility of financial recompense
  5. Assess the probability of achieving success in a legal claim

Negotiating Settlements

The process of negotiating settlements in heart attack medical malpractice cases entails:

  • Collaborating with insurance companies and opposing counsel
  • Arriving at a settlement that is equitable for all parties involved
  • Insurance companies providing coverage and financial compensation to the parties involved
  • Negotiating and offering settlements to the injured party or their family on behalf of the healthcare provider or facility

The opposing counsel represents the defendant’s healthcare provider or institution, safeguarding their interests while striving to achieve a fair settlement.

Maryland Medical Malpractice Laws and Statute of Limitations

According to Maryland law, medical malpractice is characterized as medical care that deviates from accepted standards of practice, leading to patient injury. In Maryland, the statute of limitations for filing a medical malpractice lawsuit is generally within five years from the date when the injury occurred or within three years from the date the injury was discovered, whichever is earlier. However, there is a maximum limit of five years from the date of the negligent act, regardless of when the injury is discovered.

 

This legal framework is established to safeguard the rights of victims and guarantee a just procedure in medical malpractice cases. If you believe you have a case, it’s essential to consult with Baltimore medical malpractice lawyers to ensure your claim is filed within the appropriate time frame.

Consult with Our Maryland Heart Attack Medical Malpractice Attorney Today

Heart attack misdiagnosis is a serious issue with potentially devastating consequences for patients. By understanding the complexities of heart attack misdiagnosis, the importance of establishing negligence, and the role of a Baltimore heart attack medical malpractice lawyer, you can seek justice and compensation for the harm done to you or your loved one. With the support of experienced legal representation, you can hold negligent healthcare providers accountable and ensure that future patients receive the standard of care they deserve.

As a legal practice with over half a century of experience, Peter Angelos Law has established a successful track record, having recovered billions of dollars in compensation for our clients. Peter Angelos Law is committed to seeking justice for victims of heart attack medical malpractice.

Recognized for our excellence, Peter Angelos Law can guide you through the complexities of medical malpractice law, providing experienced advice and direction throughout the process. Our team of medical malpractice lawyers is here to help.

To explore your legal options and discuss your case, call 410-705-2405 for a free consultation.