by Tim O’Hare
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Heart disease is the leading cause of death worldwide. In the U.S., half a million people die from heart attacks each year. Sometimes, a heart attack is entirely preventable with proper medical care. To prevent heart attacks, however, doctors must know the signs of a heart attack as well as every symptom a patient presents with, and consider whether or not it’s potentially a sign of heart disease.
If a doctor fails to properly diagnose heart disease that leads to a heart attack, it can be medical malpractice in the form of negligence. “Failure to treat” is one form of medical malpractice in which negligence on the part of a doctor regarding diagnosis of illness or disease results in failure to treat that illness. When illness or disease goes untreated, it could be fatal for that patient. Doctors have a duty to their patients to diligently work to diagnose and provide proper treatment for illnesses. When a doctor fails to diagnose or treat an illness or disease that leads to further illness or even death, it is grounds for a medical malpractice lawsuit.
After we receive a call in which someone suspects medical negligence led to a heart attack, the next step is to determine how the heart attack could have been prevented. If a patient suffered a heart attack that could have been prevented had a doctor properly diagnosed symptoms or illness, but failed to do so, that doctor is at fault. If it is determined that a medical professional is at fault, they are legally responsible to pay for damages. This could include medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and in the case of death, payment for wrongful death.
Doctors have the difficult task of diagnosing and treating illness in their patients, and taking necessary actions to prevent further illness, infection or death. In the case that a doctor misdiagnoses or mistreats an illness, thus leading to further illness or death, it could be deemed medical malpractice due to negligence.
Medical malpractice claims can be complicated. We only take on medical malpractice cases that involve severe injury or death. If you have experienced what you believe to be medical malpractice, contact The Law Offices of Tim O’Hare for a free initial consultation with an experienced personal injury attorney. Call us at 972-960-0000 or Toll-Free 888-960-0020.
