Chest pain, shortness of breath, sweaty but cold.

A slight tingle down your arm.

Something is wrong with you or a loved one, but you are not sure what the problem is. In the back of your mind, you think it is a heart attack, so you go to the doctor. They send you or your loved one home with some indigestion medicine without running any tests.

Two hours later, someone is in cardiac arrest.

This scenario is not uncommon, but it should not happen. Doctors and nurses are supposed to be on the lookout for signs and symptoms that a patient is having a heart attack. If they fail to notice and treat these symptoms immediately, they are risking lives.

Beyond that, they are setting themselves up for liability. When a cardiologist or other doctor fails to act despite the warning signs that a pending heart attack may be imminent, then they are not acting within the scope of their training and their oath to do no harm.

Failing to treat a patient who may be experiencing a heart attack is medical malpractice, no matter how you look at it. While it is human to make an error, this type of error can cost the patient their life.

If you need a Philadelphia heart attack attorney, you can count on The Weitz Firm, LLC to be by your side. Whether it is you or a loved one who has suffered, we will work to secure the compensation you deserve.

Never feel embarrassed to call 911 if you exhibit signs of suffering a heart attack. Doing so can help you get the care you require to survive quicker than having someone drive you to the emergency room. Responding EMTs and paramedics will ask you a series of questions, take your vital signs, and might even conduct an EKG in the ambulance before transporting you to the hospital.

The Signs of a Heart Attack

The major signs of a heart attack include the following:

  • Discomfort in the chest or chest pain
  • Having a feeling of light-headedness, faintness, or weakness
  • Shortness of breath
  • Discomfort or pain in one or both of your arms or shoulders
  • Discomfort or pain in the back, neck, or jaw

Risk Factors of Suffering a Heart Attack

The following are the most common risk factors for suffering a heart attack:

  • Multiple health conditions
  • Your age
  • Your family history
  • Your lifestyle (what you eat, if you smoke, etc.)

If you suffer a heart attack and survive, you will need to make changes to your lifestyle, including your diet. You might have to cut out a lot of the foods you have come to enjoy, stop smoking, cut back on your alcohol consumption, and begin an exercise regimen. Losing weight might be one of the biggest improvements you can make to your life following a heart attack. Being overweight puts a lot of strain on the heart. The more weight you can lose, the easier the heart will be able to pump blood throughout the body. When you have questions about the care you received during a heart attack, contact an experienced Philadelphia heart attack attorney at The Weitz Firm, LLC as soon as possible. You might be entitled to compensation for your injuries.

Every Second Counts

The brain starts to die after six minutes without oxygen.

A heart attack is scary. Not all heart attacks are the same. In fact, they can present different signs and symptoms for each person. Sometimes there is direct chest pain, other times the pain is somewhere else, like the arm.

It could be shortness of breath or the feeling of heartburn.

Sometimes, the heart simply stops.

Did you know that heart disease is the number one cause of death in the US? Over 600,000 people die each year from heart-related issues. That is why doctors and nurses are so thoroughly trained to be on the lookout for patients presenting signs and symptoms of a heart attack.

The problem is, sometimes they are so busy or distracted that they fail to do this. Healthcare professionals should face scrutiny if they:

  • Fail to recognize the symptoms and perform the proper tests
  • Fail to ask the right questions or perform an exam
  • Fail to get a full patient history

Not every missed case of heart attack misdiagnosis is due to carelessness or negligence on the part of a doctor or nurse, but many of them are. Diagnosing errors contribute a major portion of the medical mistakes that are committed each year in the country.

Whether you call 911 or get to an emergency room, you need to seek care if you exhibit any of the major signs of a heart attack. You should never go to urgent care if you experience any of these symptoms. Doing so can wind up delaying the care that you require. The urgent care staff will only wind up calling 911 to get you transported to an emergency room.

It is important to note that being turned away at an urgent care facility does not constitute medical malpractice. Emergency care facilities are not equipped to treat patients with heart issues, such as having an active heart attack. These facilities are for less serious medical issues, such as broken bones, sprains, administration of staples, and other problems.

What Happens Now

We know that any medical emergency is hard to go through, especially a heart attack. Our hearts are what keep us going. They keep us with our loved ones and give us the ability to fight through the difficulties life has to offer. If our heart is having trouble and healthcare professionals fail to notice something is wrong, they could be negligent in their duties.

Medical Malpractice Damages

Compensable damages due to medical malpractice are far-reaching and may include a mix of recovery—from monetary payments for future lost earnings to medical bills. In order to recover damages, a patient must show that the damages sustained were caused by the act of medical malpractice and that there is a quantitative way to calculate the damages.

Economic and noneconomic damages are the most common. In some cases, punitive damages may be awarded. Damages can be paid through negotiation with the other party and their insurer or after litigating the case in court and receiving a verdict.

Noneconomic damages are damages that are difficult to quantify, such as pain and suffering, loss of companionship, mental anguish, and emotional trauma. Loss of future earning capacity and loss of enjoyment of life are also general damages.

Economic damages are easier to quantify. They include medical costs—including the past, present, and future costs. Past, present, and future income loss is also compensable.

Punitive damages may be awarded in Pennsylvania medical malpractice cases, but it is rare that a jury awards this type of compensation. Punitive damages are damages awarded when the behavior of the defendant is particularly dangerous or outrageous. Punitive damages are meant to penalize the defendant. When punitive damages are on the table, there is no limit to the amount that can be awarded. Punitive awards have no cap.

Wrongful Death Lawsuits Stemming from Improper Care

Should your loved one die as a result of improper care from a Philadelphia doctor after suffering a heart attack, you might be able to file a wrongful death lawsuit. Wrongful death claims make it easier for surviving family members to be compensated for the loss of their loved one. The compensation can be used to help pay for the loved one’s medical expenses, their funeral and burial costs, and the loss of the loved one’s income.

Time is of the Essence

When it comes to filing a medical malpractice suit in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, it is important to file it in a timely fashion. The statute of limitations is just two years. That time frame expands to seven years for underlying medical errors, which is sometimes the case with heart attack patients. This means that all claims must be filed in that timeframe to be considered valid. After the statute of limitations has expired, you can no longer file your medical malpractice claim.

When you need a medical malpractice lawyer in Philadelphia, The Weitz Firm, LLC will be here to help. We want to make sure you get the compensation you deserve if you have been misdiagnosed or received poor medical care. You can contact us for a free consultation by clicking here or calling 267-587-6240.

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