A heart attack requires immediate, accurate medical intervention. If staff at an Ascension Health facility failed to diagnose a heart attack promptly, misdiagnosed it, or delayed critical treatment, the results can be devastating, leading to irreversible heart damage or death. It is important to know that there are avenues for you to protect your rights and pursue compensation for your injuries and losses if you have been a victim of heart attack malpractice.
Understanding Heart Attack Care Standards
The standard of care for a suspected heart attack at a healthcare facility such as an Ascension Health hospital includes rapid EKG, cardiac enzyme tests, and timely interventions (e.g., angioplasty, clot-busters). If you did not receive the proper care or received negligent or reckless treatment, you may be able to pursue compensation for your losses. Negligence by Ascension Health providers can involve:
- Failure to Recognize Symptoms: Dismissing chest pain or atypical heart attack signs.
- Delay or Misinterpretation of EKG/Cardiac Enzymes at an Ascension Health facility.
- Premature Discharge from an ER despite ongoing or concerning cardiac symptoms.
- Failure to Consult a Cardiologist in a timely manner when warranted at Ascension Health.
- Delaying Life-Saving Interventions such as angioplasty when indicated.
This list is not extensive, and if you believe that your heart attack was misdiagnosed or mistreated, contact an attorney today.
The Impact Of Delayed Or Misdiagnosed Heart Attacks
The longer a heart attack goes untreated by Ascension Health staff, the greater the potential damage. This can lead to increased risk of death, congestive heart failure, or permanent heart damage. Additionally, the financial costs of this treatment only multiply. Attorneys such as our friends at Needle & Ellenberg, P.A. know how devastating this can be for victims and how important recovery is.
Filing A Claim After A Heart Attack Malpractice
If you suspect negligence in heart attack care at Ascension Health, there are steps that can be taken to pursue the justice and compensation that you deserve. A hospital negligence lawyer will:
- Conduct a Thorough Investigation: Reviewing all medical records from Ascension Health.
- Engage Cardiology Experts: To assess if care provided by Ascension Health met medical standards.
- Prove Causation and Damages: Demonstrating how negligence by Ascension Health led to a worsened outcome.
- Seek Just Compensation for your losses.
Additionally, your attorney will negotiate with the insurance company or the opposing party on your behalf, pursuing the full and fair amount of compensation that you deserve. In heart attack malpractice cases, compensation typically includes payment for medical bills and expenses, rehabilitation and therapy, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more.
Contact A Lawyer Today
If a delayed diagnosis or improper treatment of a heart attack at an Ascension Health facility harmed you or a loved one, contact an attorney today. The path towards recovery may seem difficult after experiencing improper care, but with professional legal assistance on your side, you can move forward with your claim with confidence and clarity. Do not hesitate to seek the representation that you deserve.