Failure to Diagnose Heart Disease

Heart disease is one of the leading causes of death in Baltimore and impacts thousands of people each year. While treatments can minimize the symptoms and risks associated with heart disease, when it goes undiagnosed and untreated, it can lead to devastating injuries. While money cannot repair the harm caused by negligent healthcare providers, people hurt by their doctor’s failure to diagnose heart disease are often able to recover damages for their losses via malpractice claims. If you or a loved one were hurt by a physician’s failure to diagnose heart disease, it is critical to speak to a lawyer as soon as possible about your options. At Arfaa Law Group, our knowledgeable Baltimore medical malpractice attorneys can advise you of your rights and craft persuasive arguments on your behalf to help you seek a favorable result.

Heart disease is the term used to describe a variety of heart conditions, including coronary artery disease, congestive heart failure, congenital heart defects, and cardiomyopathy. People with certain conditions, like obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol, have a higher risk of developing heart disease. Symptoms of heart disease vary depending on the precise condition a person suffers from but generally include chest pain, shortness of breath, dizziness, and fatigue. If a patient presents with symptoms of heart disease, a doctor will typically order diagnostic tests like chest X-rays, CT scans, EKGs, and blood tests. If a doctor neglects to conduct such tests, heart disease may go undiagnosed.

Heart conditions usually require immediate treatment. As such, the failure to diagnose heart disease is often detrimental to a person’s health, leading to serious issues including cardiac arrest and death. In many instances in which a doctor failed to diagnose a patient with a heart condition, the patient will seek to recover damages via medical malpractice claims. A plaintiff in a medical malpractice lawsuit typically has to prove the defendant acted negligently.

In Maryland, establishing medical negligence requires a plaintiff to establish that the defendant owed the plaintiff a duty to provide treatment that meets the standard of care. In the majority of cases, the plaintiff will have to hire a medical expert to explain the applicable standard, which is the treatment that a competent practitioner working in the same specialty would render when presented with similar facts. The plaintiff must then show that the defendant departed from the standard of care, which typically requires expert testimony as well. Finally, the plaintiff has to prove that the defendant’s breach of the standard of care caused the plaintiff to suffer quantifiable harm. In other words, that the plaintiff’s losses are directly attributable to the defendant’s behavior.

A plaintiff that proves a defendant’s liability may be awarded damages for the financial harm caused by the defendant, such as the cost of past and future medical care and lost wages, and loss of earnings. Establishing the extent and duration of the plaintiff’s injuries and what treatment will be necessary for the future usually also necessitates testimony from an expert. An additional expert may be needed to prove the plaintiff suffered a loss of income. In addition to damages for economic losses, a jury will often compensate the plaintiff for the intangible losses suffered as well, such as pain, suffering, mental trauma, and anguish.

Heart issues can often be managed if they are diagnosed in a timely manner, but when a doctor carelessly fails to determine that a patient is suffering from heart disease, it can lead to irreparable harm. If you suffered injuries because of a physician’s failure to diagnose heart disease, it is smart to meet with an attorney to discuss whether you may be able to pursue a claim for damages. The seasoned Baltimore lawyers of Arfaa Law Group are well-versed in what it takes to prove liability in medical malpractice cases, and if you engage our services, we will fight zealously on your behalf. We have an office in Baltimore, and we often represent people in cases against healthcare providers throughout the city. You can reach us at 410-889-1850 or through our online form to arrange a consultation.