Medical malpractice cases are complex, requiring the work of skilled attorneys with expertise in both the medical and legal fields. The attorneys at Janet, Janet, & Suggs have years of experience fighting for victims of malpractice, even when other firms would not take the case. Our first priority is to help you review the signs of medical error in the event that you or a loved one has experienced cardiac arrest, stroke, or heart attack and are concerned about the quality of care you received.
What Is Cardiac Arrest Medical Malpractice?
According to the CDC, heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. That said, the rate of death from cardiac events has dramatically decreased since the 1970s as a result of increased early prevention measures and life-saving medical techniques like “clot-busters” and angioplasty. Unfortunately, these life-saving measures can only be implemented if medical professionals recognize the signs, run the proper diagnostic tests, and act quickly to determine the specific type of cardiac event being experienced by the patient.
Heart attack malpractice generally is the result of situations where:
- Patients report chest pain at rest along with factors that indicate they are at risk of heart attack (such as age, hypertension, diabetes, or a family history of heart attack), but they are sent home without further testing.
- ECGs are misread by either an emergency room physician or cardiologist
- Insufficient EKGs are performed such as in a busy Emergency Department
- Hospital staff recognizes the heart attack but treatment is improperly delayed
- Healthcare professionals provide improper follow-up when discharging a patient after a cardiac event
- Medical professionals fail to diagnose a pre-existing heart condition before operating, or they operate in spite of signs of a pre-existing condition
What Is Stroke Medical Malpractice?
Medical malpractice related to stroke—when the brain is deprived of adequate oxygen and blood supply—can be medically and financially devastating. Cases can stem from:
- Failing to prevent a stroke from occurring, such as by preventing blood clots from forming after surgery or preventing meningitis
- Delaying a CT or MRI scan after a patient reports symptoms consistent with a stroke and positive clinical indicators, such as a positive Cincinnati Stroke Scale
- Failing to accurately diagnose the type of stroke, resulting in inadequate treatment
- Failing to administer tPA within the window of efficacy
- Failing to diagnose hypoxia (lack of oxygenation), resulting in neonatal stroke with birth injuries
What Do You Need to Prove in a Cardiac Arrest, Stroke, or Heart Attack Medical Malpractice Case?
In order to prove that your heart issues—whether one-time or recurring—qualify for a medical malpractice case, you must first be sure that your situation meets a few basic criteria for general malpractice.
- Duty of care. The healthcare provider you are considering suing was responsible for providing care to you.
- Violation of standard of care. The healthcare provider did not act as a reasonably prudent healthcare provider would act under the same or similar circumstances.
- Causation. The healthcare provider’s negligence or error resulted in injury.
- Damages. The injury has resulted in negative financial, emotional, or similar consequences.
To prove the violation of the standard of care, your medical records will be an invaluable resource, such as demonstrated negligence with regard to medically acceptable screening for cardiovascular disease or ignoring the signs when a patient presents with symptoms. Heart surgery malpractice lawsuits may also be warranted in cases of:
- Administering anesthesia incorrectly
- Puncturing an organ during surgery
- Leaving a surgical tool inside the patient
- Using poor or even incorrect technique, resulting in nerve damage, infection, or other complications
Misdiagnosis of illness like mini-strokes or signs of cardiovascular disease can lead to severe injuries or death from the potential consequences of the illness itself, as well as increasing the risk of devastating side effects from medications or other medical procedures.
How Are Heart-Related Medical Malpractice Lawsuits Resolved?
The first step toward the resolution of a medical malpractice case is to reach out to an experienced malpractice lawyer. Malpractice cases can be long and complex, and without expert legal help, they can become painfully overwhelming for you and your loved ones.
Because the statute of limitations (the time you have to file a lawsuit) can be short, it is vital that you reach out to Janet, Janet & Suggs for a consultation as soon as you become aware you may be a victim of malpractice. An initial consultation isn’t a commitment, and it will help you get all the facts you need in order to decide how you want to proceed.
If our attorneys determine you have a case, they will work on your behalf to reach either a settlement or a judgment in your favor. Compensation for these cases will vary depending on a number of factors, including:
- Doctor and hospital bills—past, current, and future
- Lost income—past, current, and future
- Pain and suffering
- Disfigurement and scarring
- Quality of life concerns
Though the individual circumstances of your case will determine the amount of potential compensation, JJS is strongly committed to our client’s success regardless of the potential dollar value of the case.
Why Should You Choose Janet, Janet & Suggs?
JJS has 40 years of experience representing victims of malpractice and has achieved hundreds of millions of dollars in compensation during that time. When you work with JJS, you work with a team that is widely recognized among the top medical malpractice attorneys in the country. Our experienced attorneys and network of expert witnesses will help you find your way through the process of your medical malpractice case to seek justice and fair compensation for your injuries. JJS operates on a contingency fee basis, meaning we collect no fees unless your case is won. Contact us today for a free, no-obligation case review.
Reviewed by:
William R. “Topper” Cramer, RN, MBA, MS, CCRN, CFRN, EMT-P
Legal Nurse Consultant | Nurse Paralegal
Topper has been involved in emergency, transport, and critical care medicine since 1978 when he became an EMT in high school. A United States Air Force veteran, he remains active as a pre-hospital RN/paramedic, certified flight nurse, and critical care nurse. In addition to his professional role as a nurse consultant/nurse paralegal, he is the Chief of Operations at Walkersville Volunteer Rescue in Frederick County, Maryland. READ FULL BIO