Failure to Diagnose Heart Attack

Heart attacks are one of the leading causes of death in the United States, claiming thousands of lives each year. Heart attacks demand immediate medical attention to minimize damage to the heart and improve survival rates, which means that the timing of a diagnosis can mean the difference between life and death. As such, when healthcare providers fail to recognize the signs of a heart attack or delay treatment, the consequences can be devastating. If you or a loved one experienced harm because of a doctor’s failure to diagnose a heart attack, you may be owed compensation, and you should talk to an attorney about your options. At DeFrancisco & Falgiatano Personal Injury Lawyers, our assertive Rochester medical malpractice attorneys are proficient at establishing that negligent healthcare providers should be held accountable for the losses brought about by their carelessness, and if you hire us, we will work tirelessly to help you seek justice. We regularly represent injured parties in medical malpractice claims in Rochester, Syracuse, and across Upstate New York.

A myocardial infarction, or heart attack, occurs when a blockage prevents oxygen-rich blood from reaching part of the heart muscle. Without quick treatment, the affected tissue begins to die, potentially leading to permanent damage or fatal complications. Common warning signs include chest pain or discomfort, shortness of breath, nausea, lightheadedness, and pain radiating to the arms, jaw, or back. However, not all heart attacks present in the same way. Women, older adults, and people with diabetes often experience less typical symptoms, which can complicate diagnosis.

The failure to diagnose a heart attack can result in severe, avoidable harm. Delayed treatment may lead to irreversible heart damage, reduced cardiac function, or chronic heart failure. Tragically, some patients do not survive. Many delays occur because healthcare providers dismiss symptoms as minor or fail to order critical tests, such as an electrocardiogram (ECG) or cardiac enzyme studies. Misinterpreting test results is another common error. These oversights rob patients of the opportunity to receive life-saving interventions, like clot-dissolving drugs or emergency procedures to restore blood flow.

People injured by the failure to diagnose a heart attack have the right to pursue medical malpractice against the providers responsible for their harm. Typically, medical malpractice occurs when a healthcare provider’s negligence causes harm to a patient. Under New York law, to demonstrate negligence in the realm of medical care, a plaintiff must prove four key elements: duty, breach, causation, and damages.

First, the plaintiff must establish that the provider owed them a duty of care. This is typically straightforward when a doctor-patient relationship exists. The duty a doctor owes a patient is to provide treatment that aligns with what is considered the good and accepted practice of medicine, which is the level of care a reasonably competent provider in the same field would offer under similar circumstances. In heart attack cases, this includes recognizing symptoms, ordering appropriate diagnostic tests, and initiating timely treatment.

The plaintiff then has to show that the defendant breached this duty by failing to meet the standard of care. Examples of breaches could include dismissing symptoms as anxiety or indigestion, neglecting to order an ECG, failing to act on abnormal test results, or other mistakes that prevent timely diagnosis and treatment.

The third element, causation, requires the plaintiff to demonstrate that the defendant’s negligence directly caused their harm. For example, a delay in diagnosing a heart attack might allow more extensive damage to the heart muscle or lead to a fatal outcome. Finally, the plaintiff must prove damages, such as medical bills, lost wages, physical pain, and emotional suffering, resulting from the delayed diagnosis.

As the average juror or judge lacks independent knowledge of the standard of care imposed on doctors, medical malpractice cases often hinge on expert testimony. For example, the plaintiff may need to retain a cardiologist or emergency medicine specialist to testify regarding the standard of care, highlight how the provider’s actions fell short, and establish the connection between the delayed diagnosis and the patient’s injuries.

Victims of delayed heart attack diagnosis may recover compensation for both economic and non-economic losses. Economic damages include medical expenses, lost wages, and out-of-pocket costs. Non-economic damages account for the physical and emotional toll of medical negligence, like pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life.

When it comes to heart attacks, every second counts, and delayed or inaccurate diagnosis can have life-altering consequences for patients and their families. If a healthcare provider’s negligent failure to diagnose a heart attack caused you or a loved one to suffer, it is critical to understand your rights, and you should meet with an attorney as soon as possible. At DeFrancisco & Falgiatano Personal Injury Lawyers, our dedicated Rochester medical malpractice attorneys understand the devastation medical malpractice can cause, and if you hire us, we will fight to help you pursue the results you deserve. Our main office is in Syracuse, and we regularly assist people with medical malpractice claims in Rochester as well as in Syracuse and throughout upstate New York. To set up a free and confidential consultation, you can contact us through our online form or call us at 833-200-2000.