Heart attacks and strokes are two of the leading causes of death and disability in the United States. Timely diagnosis and treatment are absolutely crucial to prevent a heart attack or stroke from causing permanent damage or death, and doctors are trained to recognize the signs and symptoms of these potentially life-threatening events. However, doctors and other healthcare professionals occasionally fail to identify heart attacks and strokes, often resulting in devastating consequences for patients and their families.
If you or someone you love suffered a heart attack or stroke due to a healthcare provider’s failure to diagnose or misdiagnosis, you may be entitled to compensation. At Bertoldo, Baker, Carter & Smith, our award-winning medical malpractice attorneys are committed to holding negligent healthcare professionals accountable and have recovered millions of dollars in settlements and verdicts for our clients. We have a proven track record of success and are prepared to aggressively advocate for you throughout the legal process.
Contact us today at 702.800.0000 to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation with one of our skilled Las Vegas heart attack and stroke misdiagnosis lawyers.
Did you know that according to the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) that “medical negligence and malpractice” is the third leading cause of deaths in the United States today?
Did you know that one out of every 20 American adults has been incorrectly diagnosed?
In 2012, over $3 billion was spent in medical malpractice payouts, with an average of one payout happening every 43 minutes.
Unfortunately, as we at Bertoldo Carter Smith & Cullen have seen first hand, medical malpractice and negligence is common in our country – especially when it comes to heart problems. What is even more alarming is that certain groups – particularly women and younger folks – are more at risk than others of suffering from medical malpractice relating to heart problems.
If you have been diagnosed with any of the following or believe you may be exhibiting symptoms and are not being taken seriously by your doctor, it may be time to ask for a second (or third) opinion:
Heart Attacks
How a heart attack feels to you can differ from how others experience it. Younger people may feel a crushing pain in their chest while older individuals may believe that they have a bit of indigestion. Women may not experience a lot of the classic symptoms of a heart attack, such as a numbing sensation in the left arm. Some women’s symptoms are dismissed as relating to anxiety, (according to one 2014 study), when in fact they are suffering from a heat attack.
Stroke
Every year, medical personnel are quick to discount what may be the early signs a disabling stroke in thousands of Americans. One study from the American Heart Association revealed that younger adults who presented stroke symptoms were misdiagnosed as suffering from migraines, vertigo or alcohol intoxication.
Regardless of an individual’s age, no one should be suffering from a sudden onset of:
Aortic Dissection
One of the most commonly misdiagnosed, yet fatal, conditions is an aortic dissection. If a physician does not order the correct line of tests soon enough, the patient will likely be incorrectly diagnosed and will likely die. One 2009 study showed that close to one-third of patients who were suffering aortic dissection were originally misdiagnosed.
If you suffered a heart attack or stroke due to a healthcare provider’s failure to diagnose or misdiagnosis, you may be entitled to compensation. However, holding negligent healthcare professionals accountable for their actions and recovering compensation for your injuries can be challenging, especially if you try to take on the insurance companies on your own.
At Bertoldo, Baker, Carter & Smith, we have extensive experience handling complex medical malpractice cases and have a proven track record of success. Our attorneys are skilled negotiators and litigators, and we will aggressively fight to protect your rights and help you recover the compensation you deserve. We understand that every case is unique, which is why we take the time to get to know you and your situation and develop a legal strategy that is tailored to your specific needs.
Call 702.800.0000 or contact us online to speak with our Las Vegas heart attack and stroke misdiagnosis attorneys today.
