Missed diagnosis of heart attack should not happen. A missed diagnosis will do more damage to the heart, cause health complications and, in many cases, can be fatal.
The signs of a possible heart attack are obvious. NHS guidelines show what a doctor, paramedic or nurse should look for when a patient presents with heart difficulties. The symptoms should set off warning bells in any trained medical professional.
To miss the signs of a heart attack wastes valuable time in treating the patient. A missed diagnosis of a heart attack causes you, the patient, to lose that time for doctors to work on you and possibly even save your life.
A missed diagnosis of a heart attack is medical negligence. It should not happen, and the long-term effects on the patient can be catastrophic.
A No Win No Fee medical negligence solicitor will take your case and get you the compensation you deserve for the missed diagnosis of a heart attack.
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What is a missed diagnosis of a heart attack?
A missed diagnosis of a heart attack is when a medical professional does not diagnose your heart attack when you present at the GP, to a paramedic or at the A&E.
To miss a heart attack diagnosis is serious medical negligence. The doctors or paramedics should spot the signs immediately and act accordingly.
A missed diagnosis of a heart attack can be fatal. To say you only have bad indigestion or the beginnings of flu when you are suffering a heart attack is unacceptable.
The doctors or paramedics should not leave anything to chance and immediately refer you for further treatment. Wasting time with a possible heart attack misdiagnosis puts your life in danger.
A heart attack missed diagnosis is medical negligence, and you will have a compensation claim against the doctor or hospital responsible.
What is a heart attack?
A heart attack is when the muscles of your heart do not get enough blood. Blood flow to and from the heart is reduced or stops altogether.
The reduction or stopping of the blood flow to the heart muscles may happen over time or be sudden. Whatever the reason, you will need treatment and the sooner, the better.
Each muscle in the heart needs blood to function. Muscle damage happens when there is not a steady flow of blood; the longer the blood flow is stopped or reduced, the greater the damage.
The pressure put on your heart to function causes a heart attack. If blood flow in the heart is not restarted, the heart will fail, and the muscle damage could be catastrophic.
Speed is vital when dealing with a heart attack. Any delay due to a missed diagnosis of a heart attack costs valuable time and only increases the damage done to the heart.
Signs of a heart attack
Signs of a heart attack range from shortness of breath to chest pain. The signs and symptoms may differ from person to person, but they are the same for both men and women.
Signs of a heart attack are:
The symptoms can come on suddenly or develop over time. Often the symptoms may come on during exercise or even only going upstairs.
Pain or discomfort in the chest
Pain or discomfort in the chest is an undeniable sign of a heart attack. The pain is usually constant and may come on during exercise.
The muscles in your heart are straining to work and spreading pain across the chest area.
Being out of breath
Being out of breath is a common sign that you are having a heart attack. It often happens before the onset of chest pain but will continue as the pain grows in your chest.
Being unable to breathe properly causes less oxygen to get into the blood and makes your heart attack worse.
Pain or discomfort in the neck, jaw and down the arms and back
Pain or discomfort in the neck, jaw, and down the arms and back is another tell-tale sign that all is not well with your heart.
The pain may spread from your chest to the rest of the body, or it may start around other areas as the heart attack develops.
Feeling nauseous
Feeling nauseous is a symptom that comes on with the discomfort and shortness of breath.
Some people may assume the nausea and pain is due to indigestion, but a heart attack is a likely answer when it persists.
Being light-headed and unusually tired
Being light-headed and unusually tired are symptoms that come on with the others on the list. You may feel light-headed if you get up suddenly or even after exercise. Some people may faint.
Your body is not getting enough oxygen and other nutrients, resulting in fatigue and unusual tiredness.
Many people feel like lying down and sleeping when they should be calling for medical help.
The symptoms of a heart attack
The symptoms of a heart attack are obvious and should be clear to anyone with medical training. For a paramedic, doctor or hospital consultant to misdiagnose these typical symptoms is medical negligence and exposes you to the dangers of a missed heart attack.
What are the dangers of a missed heart attack?
The dangers of a missed heart attack are increased damage to the heart, but it can be death in some patients. Medical conditions such as stroke and heart attack are emergencies and are very dependent on time and quick action by medical professionals.
The dangers of a missed heart attack are:
Damage to the muscles of the heart
Damage to the muscles of the heart will get worse with a missed diagnosis of a heart attack. Instead of receiving treatment to resolve your heart issues, you have a missed diagnosis of a heart attack and are sent home.
The damage to the heart muscles will only increase, and weaken your heart and body.
Reduced blood flow to the brain and other organs
Reduced blood flow to the brain and other organs happens when the heart is not pumping blood properly. Your body needs blood to function and stay healthy.
Reduced blood flow only puts pressure on the other organs, which will damage them over time.
Increased chances of having another heart attack
Increased chances of having another heart attack is the inevitable consequence of a missed diagnosis of your first one. The dangers are still the same, and the damage from the first heart attack will only increase the pressure on your heart.
The chances of having a second heart attack are close to 100% if you have a missed diagnosis of the first heart attack.
Not addressing the dangers in your lifestyle
Not addressing the dangers in your lifestyle, which you should, happens when you receive a missed diagnosis of your heart attack. Instead of you making the necessary changes, you carry on as normal and will probably do a lot more damage to your heart.
Smoking, not changing your diet and leading a sedentary life will only lead to more heart attacks and will seriously affect your life.
Having a stroke
Having a stroke often happens when people have a heart attack. The interruption to the heart’s beating can cause a clot in the heart or elsewhere, and a stroke can kill quickly.
A missed diagnosis of a heart attack misses the chances of avoiding a stroke and the damage it can cause to you.
Increasing the need for invasive surgery
Increasing the need for invasive surgery happens with a missed diagnosis of a heart attack. As you do more damage to your heart, the chances of a quick and easy solution to your heart disease decrease.
Early intervention is vital to preserving your heart. A missed diagnosis of a heart attack also misses the chance of early intervention and greatly increases the chances of open-heart surgery.
Death due to a heart attack
Death due to a heart attack is an unfortunate but common outcome of a missed diagnosis of a heart attack. Instead of the cardiac team getting to work on you and relieving the pressure on your heart, the problem will only get worse.
In many cardiac patients, their arteries block fully, and the pressure causes the heart to fail and the death of the patient.
Factors that may cause a heart attack
Factors that may cause a heart attack can range from family history to lifestyle problems. The factors may differ from person to person, but that does not mean medical professionals should make a missed diagnosis of a heart attack.
Factors that may cause a heart attack are:
If you have one or more factors that cause a heart attack, you are in danger of heart disease and having a heart attack. The medical professional dealing with your case should look for heart attack symptoms and the underlining factors that may cause a heart attack.
A missed diagnosis of a heart attack can be fatal. At the very least, it greatly increases your chance of having another heart attack.
Who is at fault for a missed diagnosis of a heart attack?
A medical professional is at fault for a missed diagnosis of a heart attack. The doctor, paramedic or hospital consultant is responsible for that missed diagnosis of a heart attack which only puts your life in danger.
When you call an ambulance or present at the A&E or even the GP’s clinic with heart attack symptoms, they should make a quick and correct diagnosis. Making a missed diagnosis of a heart attack will cost you valuable treatment time and, in some cases, cost the person’s life.
Being sent home or told that all is ok when it is not only increases the dangers of a missed heart attack. Instead of taking steps to prevent further heart damage, you continue as normal, with catastrophic conclusions.
Missed diagnosis of a heart attack happens:
There are reasons for a missed diagnosis of a heart attack but not any excuses.
The missed diagnosis delays your treatment and chances of recovery. It can also cause a lot more damage to your heart and, in other cases, cause the patient’s death.
A missed diagnosis of a heart attack puts your life in danger, and you can claim compensation for the medical negligence.
How much can I claim in compensation for a missed diagnosis of a heart attack?
You can claim compensation for a missed diagnosis of a heart attack amounts of more than £10,000 to those in excess of £1 million. Each case differs, and depending on the damage done and the symptoms missed, you can claim higher or lower final settlements.
There is not one fixed amount awarded in missed diagnosis of a heart attack negligence cases. As in all medical negligence claims, each case is dealt with on its merits and how much you have suffered due to a missed diagnosis of a heart attack.
Your Content Goes HeA No Win No Fee medical negligence solicitor will be the only one who can advise you on a missed diagnosis of a heart attack negligence claim. They will know from experience what your case may be worth and how to go about a successful claim
Your No Win No Fee medical negligence solicitor will handle your missed diagnosis of a heart attack negligence claim and get you compensation for all damages incurred.re
What can you claim for when suing for missed diagnosis of a heart attack negligence?
You can claim compensation for any damages that occurred, when suing for missed diagnosis of a heart attack negligence.
There are two types of compensation damages due when suing for any type of medical negligence: General damages and
Special damages.
General damages
General damages are when you sue for the pain, suffering and the loss of amenity, PSLA, you have experienced due to negligence.
Special damages
Special damages include loss of earnings, future care costs, and out-of-pocket expenses.
Be sure to keep payslips, receipts and proof of any losses you experience as a result of the medical negligence.
You deserve compensation to cover all losses, including loss of life, medical costs and any long-term care needs.
When you or a loved one suffers from the effects of a missed diagnosis of a heart attack negligence, you make a claim for compensation.
Your No Win No Fee solicitor will guide you through the steps in making a missed diagnosis of a heart attack negligence claim.
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What are the steps involved in making a missed diagnosis of a heart attack negligence claim?
The steps involved in making a missed diagnosis of a heart attack negligence claim go from seeking medical advice to issuing court proceedings. The steps are a part of any successful compensation case, and settlement can happen at any stage in the process.
When you follow the steps correctly and get all the facts and figures together, your medical negligence solicitor will do the rest.
Step 1: Seek medical advice
Seek medical advice on the injuries you have suffered or are suffering with immediately you realise you experienced missed diagnosis of a heart attack negligence.
Step 2: Contact a specialist medical negligence solicitor
Contact a specialist medical negligence solicitor who operates on a No Win No Fee basis and tell them what went wrong. The right solicitor will look at your case, see where the problem lies, and advise if you suffered missed diagnosis of a heart attack negligence.
The Medical Negligence Team also have a 100% Compensation Guarantee scheme, where you get all the money awarded in a negligence claim.
You are the one who suffered medical negligence, and you should get all the money due for the suffering.
Step 3: Your medical negligence solicitor obtains your medical records
Your medical negligence solicitor obtains your medical records with your permission. By reading your records, they will confirm if they think you have a valid missed diagnosis of a heart attack negligence case.
The medical negligence team will know from reading your medical records if the case will result in missed diagnosis of a heart attack compensation being paid.
Step 4: The medical negligence solicitor sending a letter of claim to the negligent party
The medical negligence solicitor sending a letter of claim to the negligent party is the next step. The letter will ask them to admit missed diagnosis of a heart attack negligence in what is known as ‘sending a letter of claim.’
When the negligent party receives the letter of claim, it has up to four months to provide a written response.
Step 5: Getting a response from the negligent party’s insurer
Getting a response from the negligent party’s insurer will move your compensation claim closer to a conclusion.
The insurer will either admit the medical negligence or say they intend to defend the case. Deciding to defend the case is known as ‘deny liability’ in legal terms.
If they admit liability, your missed diagnosis of a heart attack negligence claim can be valued.
The two parties will meet to decide on your missed diagnosis of a heart attack compensation payment.
Your solicitor will negotiate with the negligent party and use their experience to get the compensation you deserve.
Step 6: Issuing court proceedings
Issuing court proceedings is the next step if they deny liability in your missed diagnosis of a heart attack negligence case. Going to court happens, too, when they are not prepared to pay a fair amount for the injuries you have suffered.
Your medical negligence solicitor issues the court proceedings.
Remember that less than 1% of medical negligence cases end up in court, and very few of those cases ever make it to the courtroom.
Our Process
Our team members have a higher career win rate with a 75% success rate on NHS letters of claim, compared to an industry average of 54.5%.
Enquiry
The first step is to get in touch and tell us what went wrong. It’s free and easy. Call our 24-hour helpline: 0800 246 1122 or request a callback here.
Medical Evaluation
Once you have spoken with our team we’ll let you know how we can help. Typically the next step is to obtain your medical records for us to review.
Legal Letter
Once all your medical records have been received they will be reviewed by a medically & legally qualified member of our team. If there is evidence of medical negligence we will send a letter of claim to the negligent party outlining your medical negligence claim.
Using a No Win No Fee solicitor
Using a No Win No Fee solicitor is the only way to a successful missed diagnosis of a heart attack negligence claim. Your No Win No Fee medical negligence solicitor will not charge you for a claim you do not win.
Always have a fee agreement in place before engaging a medical negligence solicitor. If they start talking of a ‘win fee’ or a ‘success fee,’ you should walk away. The negligent party insurers should pay all fees.
The medical negligence solicitor should also operate a 100% Compensation Guarantee scheme. When you win the case, all the money awarded should go to you, not the solicitor.
You are the one who suffered missed diagnosis of a heart attack negligence, and you deserve the compensation to get your life back to normal.
How long do I have to make a claim for missed diagnosis of a heart attack negligence?
You have three years to make a claim for missed diagnosis of a heart attack negligence. All medical negligence claims are subject to limitation periods.
For example, in England and Wales, medical negligence claims must generally be brought, court proceedings issued within three years of the injury, or three years of knowledge of the facts giving rise to the claim.
If someone has passed away, it is the date of death if the limitation period has not expired at the date of death.
Children not under a disability typically have until they reach 21 to start a missed diagnosis of a heart attack negligence claim or court proceedings.
Persons under a disability, who lack capacity, are not subject to any limitation period.
Can I make a medical negligence claim against the NHS?
Yes, you can make a medical negligence claim against the NHS. Suing the NHS for negligence is not unusual. People sue the NHS for compensation for medical negligence and receive the money they deserve for the negligent treatment.
Each year there are between 8,000 and 10,000 successful medical negligence claims against the NHS. Suing the NHS for medical negligence can make some people feel uncomfortable.
Amounts in compensation claims awarded against the NHS range from £1000 to over £10 million. The amount you receive covers minor injuries such as scarring to serious life-threatening negligence, which leaves you with long-term care needs.
We trust in and use the NHS daily and do not expect negligence. It happens, though, and the NHS has a dedicated team to handle medical negligence compensation claims, called NHS resolution.
NHS Resolution has a responsibility to treat patients who seek compensation fairly. Patients pay for the NHS through their taxes, and for that they deserve respect and the best medical treatment.
Contact The Medical Negligence Team
Contact the Medical Negligence Team today to discuss your missed diagnosis of a heart attack negligence claim for compensation. We have both the legal and medical experts to guide you along the steps to a successful medical negligence claim for compensation.
At the Medical Negligence Team, we fight every compensation claim on a No Win No Fee basis. You will not be out of pocket for an unsuccessful claim.
We have a very high success rate and a reputation for a speedy and successful resolution to all medical negligence cases.
Our 100% Compensation Guarantee puts all the money you win into your pocket. You or your loved one suffered missed diagnosis of a heart attack negligence, and you deserve every penny of the compensation.
Contact us at the Medical Negligence Team for all your medical negligence needs.