Heart attacks are common medical emergencies in the United States — in fact, approximately 805,000 Americans have a heart attack every year. While heart-related emergency room visits are common, many medical professionals can misinterpret heart attack symptoms as another condition.
Without prompt treatment, heart attacks can turn fatal, and these misdiagnoses often result in additional complications and wrongful deaths. If you received a heart attack misdiagnosis, the attorneys at Fowler Pickert Eisenmenger Norfleet can help.
Why Choose Our Kansas City Medical Practice Law Firm?
- Our firm operates on a contingency fee basis, assuming all the risk for your case. You do not pay legal fees unless we secure a settlement for your damages.
- We have over 25 years of combined litigation and trial experience. Our attorneys have the ability to guide you through the claims process, answer all of your questions, and build a strong case for your compensation.
- Our attorneys have helped hundreds of medical malpractice victims seek the funds they need to recover. We will fight for your right to recovery each step of the way.
What Are the Common Signs of a Heart Attack?
Symptoms of a heart attack can vary from person to person. The most classic signs include pain, pressure, and tightness in the chest, as well as pain that spreads from the chest to the arms and other parts of the body. Some patients may also exhibit atypical heart attack symptoms, including the following.
- Shortness of breath
- Back pain
- Fatigue
- Insomnia
- Arm heaviness
- Light-headedness
- Nausea and vomiting
- Indigestion
- Heartburn
How Does Heart Attack Misdiagnosis Happen?
Medical workers have the responsibility to check for signs of a heart attack if a patient exhibits these symptoms, running blood tests to check for certain cardiac enzymes or ordering electrocardiogram testing. However, some medical professionals mistake atypical heart attack symptoms for anxiety, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), pneumonia, and other less serious conditions. Others may dismiss a patient’s symptoms without checking for heart attack symptoms.
These misdiagnoses can be extremely dangerous. The longer a heart attack goes untreated, heart muscle can die. When a certain amount of heart muscle dies off, the heart will fail — resulting in death or long-lasting complications.
Missouri Medical Malpractice Statute of Limitations
If you want to file a medical malpractice lawsuit in Kansas City, you need to act quickly. Missouri imposes a two-year statute of limitations on medical malpractice cases. This means that you have two years from the date of the heart attack misdiagnosis to file your lawsuit; if you miss this deadline, the court will dismiss your claim.
There are a few exceptions to the statute of limitations, although they may not apply to most heart attack misdiagnosis cases. Speak to an attorney at Fowler Pickert Eisenmenger Norfleet to confirm your filing deadline and secure your right to a medical malpractice trial.
Contact Fowler Pickert Eisenmenger Norfleet Today
When you visit an emergency room, clinic, or other healthcare facility with symptoms of a heart attack, it is the responsibility of the medical professionals treating you to check for this condition. If you or a loved one experienced a heart attack misdiagnosis, you can suffer additional injuries — and if the professionals do not catch the condition in time, the patient may die.
The attorneys at Fowler Pickert Eisenmenger Norfleet can help you seek justice.
