Chicago Heart Attack Misdiagnosis Lawyer

If you or a loved one suffered harm due to a failure to diagnose a heart attack, an experienced heart attack misdiagnosis lawyer from our team is ready to fight for the compensation you deserve.

A heart attack, also known as a myocardial infarction, occurs when blood flow to the heart muscle is blocked, depriving it of oxygen. This blockage is usually caused by a buildup of plaque in the arteries, a condition known as heart disease. When doctors fail to recognize the warning signs or delay critical treatment, the consequences can be devastating.

At Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers, we represent individuals and families affected by a misdiagnosed heart attack, holding medical professionals accountable for their negligence. 

The Dangers of Misdiagnosis

A heart attack misdiagnosis can have severe consequences, particularly if a doctor fails to diagnose or mistakes the condition for something less serious. When a missed or delayed diagnosis occurs, the patient may not receive the emergency treatment needed for a successful outcome.

Failing to timely diagnose a heart attack can result in:

• Permanent heart damage;
• Brain damage;
• Stroke misdiagnosis;
• Wrongful death.

Common Misdiagnoses

Because heart attack symptoms can mimic those of other medical conditions, health care providers may mistakenly diagnose a heart attack as something else. Common misdiagnoses include:

• Indigestion or acid reflux;
• Anxiety or panic attacks;
• Muscle strain or costochondritis;
• Pneumonia or lung issues;
• Gallbladder disease;
• Stroke misdiagnosis;
• Lung cancer or breast cancer.

Causes of Heart Attack Misdiagnosis

A heart attack misdiagnosis can occur for many reasons, often due to negligence by a medical provider. Whether a provider fails to recognize symptoms, does not order the appropriate testing, or overlooks key risk factors, these errors can delay life-saving treatment.

Failure to Recognize Symptoms

Not all heart attack symptoms follow the classic pattern of severe chest pain and left-arm discomfort. Many patients, especially women, the elderly, and individuals with diabetes, experience atypical symptoms such as:

• Nausea or vomiting;
• Shortness of breath;
• Fatigue or dizziness;
• Pain in the jaw, back, or stomach.

Inadequate Testing

Accurate tests are essential for identifying a heart attack, yet many health care professionals fail to order or correctly interpret them. Common errors include:

• Not performing an electrocardiogram (EKG);
• Misinterpreting blood tests;
• Relying only on a chest X-ray.

Communication Errors

Medical errors are not always due to a single mistake. Miscommunication between doctors, nurses, and other health care providers can contribute to diagnostic errors. Examples include:

• Incomplete patient history;
• Failure to explain test results;
• Miscommunication in emergency settings.

Overlooking Risk Factors

When evaluating heart attack symptoms, Doctors should always consider a patient’s medical history and risk factors. A failure to diagnose can occur when providers ignore warning signs such as:

• A family history of heart disease;
• High blood pressure or high cholesterol;
• Diabetes or obesity;
• Smoking or heavy alcohol use.

The Impact of Heart Attack Misdiagnosis

When a medical professional fails to diagnose a heart attack correctly, the patient may not receive the emergency care they need. This can lead to delayed treatment, unnecessary procedures, emotional distress, and significant financial hardship.

Delayed Treatment

A delayed diagnosis of a heart attack can mean the difference between survival and life-threatening complications. If a doctor fails to diagnose correctly or dismisses the patient’s concerns, the necessary steps to treat properly may not be taken in time. As a result, patients face increased heart damage, higher risk of complications, and even wrongful death.

Unnecessary Treatment

When a heart attack misdiagnosis occurs, patients may be treated for the wrong condition, exposing them to unnecessary risks and side effects. Some examples include:

• Patients misdiagnosed with anxiety may be prescribed sedatives that lower heart rate and blood pressure, worsening their condition.
• A misdiagnosed patient may undergo unnecessary surgery.
• Patients may not receive critical heart medications or lifestyle guidance to prevent future heart attacks.

Emotional Distress

A misdiagnosed heart attack can take a serious emotional toll on both the patient and their family. Many patients experience fear, anxiety, and loss of trust in medical providers. Surviving family members who lost a loved one due to medical negligence often experience profound grief and anger.

Financial Burden

A heart attack misdiagnosis lawsuit can help recover the financial compensation needed to cover the high costs of medical mistakes. The financial consequences of diagnosis negligence include:

• Increased medical bills;
• Lost wages;
• Funeral and wrongful death costs.

Legal Recourse for Heart Attack Misdiagnosis

When a heart attack misdiagnosis occurs, patients and their families may face serious health complications, emotional trauma, and financial burdens. If a health care professional fails to properly diagnose a heart attack due to negligence, legal action may be an option. 

A misdiagnosis lawyer can help victims file a lawsuit to seek compensation for their injuries and losses.

Medical Malpractice Lawsuit

Medical malpractice occurs when a doctor, nurse, or other medical professional fails to provide the appropriate standard of care, leading to harm. In heart attack misdiagnosis cases, this can happen when a medical professional:

• Fails to recognize symptoms of a heart attack;
• Misinterprets diagnostic tests, such as blood tests, an ECG, a cardiac CT, or a chest X-ray;
• Does not order necessary tests to confirm a diagnosis;
• Ignores a patient’s medical history, including risk factors for heart disease;
• Incorrectly attributes symptoms to another condition, such as anxiety, acid reflux, or muscle strain.

Proving Negligence

To succeed in a lawsuit, the patient (or their legal representative) must prove that the health care provider acted negligently. This requires establishing four key elements:

• Standard of care: The doctor or hospital had a duty to provide care that meets accepted medical standards.
• Breach of duty: The health care professional  failed to meet this standard, either by failing to provide an accurate diagnosis, misreading tests, or delaying treatment.
• Causation: The medical error directly led to harm, such as permanent damage, additional medical complications, or death.
• Damages: The patient suffered measurable losses, such as increased medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, or funeral costs in a wrongful death lawsuit.

Statute of Limitations for Illinois Heart Attack Misdiagnosis Lawsuits

In Illinois, the statute of limitations for filing a medical malpractice lawsuit is generally two years from the date the patient knew or should have known about the injury (735 ILCS 5/13-202). However, no case can be filed more than four years after the negligent act occurred. If the victim was a minor at the time of the heart attack misdiagnosis, different time limits may apply.

Failing to file within the legal deadline can result in losing the right to seek compensation. A medical malpractice lawyer can ensure your case is filed on time and meets all legal requirements.

The Role of a Chicago Heart Attack Misdiagnosis Attorney

Filing a lawsuit can be complex, requiring strong evidence and legal expertise. An experienced attorney can guide patients and their family members through the process and fight for the financial compensation they deserve.

Legal Expertise

Not all lawyers have experience with heart attack misdiagnosis cases. These cases often involve failure to diagnose, delayed diagnosis, or diagnostic errors, which require a deep understanding of medical standards and hospital procedures. An experienced lawyer can:

• Identify medical negligence and whether a health care provider breached the standard of care;
• Understand the common symptoms and appropriate tests used for heart attack diagnosis;
• Handle cases involving permanent damage, wrongful death, or severe complications.

Investigation and Evidence Gathering

A strong heart attack misdiagnosis claim requires substantial evidence. A medical malpractice lawyer will:

• Obtain medical records;
• Consult medical experts;
• Analyze diagnostic errors;
• Gather witness statements.

Negotiation and Litigation

Many medical malpractice cases are settled outside of court, but legal action may be necessary if a fair settlement isn’t offered. A Chicago lawyer will:

• Negotiate with insurance companies;
• Hold healthcare providers accountable;
• Take the case to trial if needed.

Seeking Compensation for Damages

When a health care provider’s negligence results in a misdiagnosed heart attack, victims have the right to seek compensation through a medical malpractice lawsuit. Compensation can help cover:

• Medical expenses;
• Lost wages;
• Pain and suffering;
• Loss of enjoyment of life;
• Wrongful death damages.

Contact a Chicago Law Firm for Professional Legal Representation

At Rosenfield Injury Lawyers, our medical malpractice attorneys have extensive experience handling heart attack misdiagnosis cases. We know how devastating a misdiagnosed heart attack can be, and we are committed to helping victims and their families seek justice.

We offer free consultations to discuss your case, and our contingency-based representation means you don’t pay any fees unless we successfully recover financial compensation for you. Call our Chicago personal injury attorneys at (888) 424-5757 or fill out our contact form to schedule your free consultation.

All content undergoes thorough legal review by experienced attorneys, including Jonathan Rosenfeld. With 25 years of experience in personal injury law and over 100 years of combined legal expertise within our team, we ensure that every article is legally accurate, compliant, and reflects current legal standards.