When you go to see a doctor, you trust that you will receive reliable and competent care. The sad reality is that this is not always the case. Doctors often make mistakes that have serious consequences for a patient’s health. If you or someone close to you was harmed by a doctor’s failure to recognize a heart attack, you may be able to file a medical malpractice claim against that doctor. At Arfaa Law Group, we can meticulously evaluate the facts of your case and determine your legal options.
Unfortunately, heart attacks are very common in Maryland and throughout the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, every 43 seconds, someone in the United States has a heart attack. Each year, approximately 735,000 Americans have a heart attack – about 525,000 are a first heart attack, while 210,000 happen to people who have already had a first attack. The American Heart Association reports that heart disease is the number one killer in Maryland.
When a patient complains about chest pains, coupled with shortness of breath or pain in the arm, a medical professional should immediately investigate for a potential heart attack. Doctors and other medical professionals are highly trained to recognize the signs of a heart attack. A patient who presents the symptoms of a heart attack should be carefully evaluated before being released from the hospital. If a doctor fails to recognize a heart attack, a patient can suffer serious consequences, including death. Put simply, a timely diagnosis may be able to prevent irreversible heart damage.
In Maryland, medical malpractice occurs when a doctor fails to use the level of care that another doctor in the same specialty would have used under the same or similar circumstances. In order to win on a medical malpractice claim, the plaintiff must establish the following elements: i) the medical professional owed the patient a duty of care; ii) the medical professional breached the duty of care owed to the patient; iii) the patient suffered harm as a direct result of the medical professional’s breach; and iv) quantifiable damages were sustained that can be compensated.
In cases in which a patient dies as a result of a failure to diagnose a heart attack, the surviving family members may be able to file a wrongful death claim. These types of lawsuits permit plaintiffs to recover compensation for medical expenses prior to the death of the decedent, funeral and burial costs, loss of companionship, loss of future income, and more.
If you or your loved one suffered a heart attack due to a medical professional’s error or negligence, we can help. At Arfaa Law Group, our Baltimore cardiology malpractice attorneys can examine the facts of your case and provide you with a realistic assessment of your claim. You can rest assured that our firm will fight aggressively for your rights at every step of the way. We are here to answer your questions and address your concerns. To discuss your case in more detail, call us at 410-889-1850 or contact us online.
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