The good news is that when diagnosed and treated in time heart attacks and strokes are more survivable now than at any time in history. However, left untreated, a heart attack or stroke can easily lead to permanent disability or death. Unfortunately, disengaged physicians, poorly trained staff and overworked technicians continue to misdiagnose or delay critically needed medical care. The attorneys at the law firm of Brais Law Firm with offices in Miami, Florida realize a lawyer’s job is to help clients on their road to recovery. Injury from heart attack or stroke can cause sudden physical, emotional, and financial hardships for patients and their families. During this time, it is difficult to think about seeking legal help, but there are time limits for taking legal action against healthcare providers.

In addition, in many cases you will need the compensation that you deserve as soon as possible. If you have experienced a serious injury or a loved one has died and you believe either of these tragic events are due to a failure to timely diagnose or properly treat a heart attack or stroke, you may be entitled to compensation, including:

  • Current and future medical bills
  • Current and future loss of wages
  • Long-term disability
  • Long-term care expenses
  • Rehabilitation
  • Pain and suffering
  • Loss of enjoyment of life
  • Loss of companionship
  • Burial expenses

Heart Attacks

Heart attack symptoms should never be taken lightly or dismissed. Although some heart attacks present with sudden, intense symptoms, in many cases only mild, gradual discomfort is experienced.

Though heart attacks may occur without any symptoms, some common symptoms include one or more of the following:

  • Chest pain or discomfort
  • Pain or discomfort in any other area of the upper body, including the shoulder, arm, back, jaw
  • or stomach
  • Shortness of breath
  • Weakness
  • Dizziness or lightheadedness
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Sweating
  • Heightened anxiety or feeling of impending doom

Doctors and emergency room staff are responsible to be careful not to mistake heart attack symptoms for symptoms of other less dangerous medical problems, such as:

  • Heartburn
  • Acid reflux
  • Esophagitis
  • Angina
  • Bronchitis
  • Pneumonia
  • Anxiety attack
  • Gallstones
  • Musculoskeletal pain

Similarity of symptoms is not the only factor leading to heart attack misdiagnosis. Heart attack victims are often overlooked simply because they don’t fit the profile that health care professionals expect. For this reason, heart attacks are often misdiagnosed in younger people and in women. Common factors leading to heart attack misdiagnosis include:

  • Failure to take a proper and thorough medical history
  • Failure to perform a thorough physical examination
  • Failure to consider heart attack in patients that seem healthy
  • Failure to consider heart attack in younger patients
  • Failure to consider heart attacks in women
  • Failure to order necessary tests in a timely and emergent manner
  • Delayed diagnosis, misdiagnosis, or failure to diagnose heart attack
  • Failure to consult cardiac specialists in a timely manner
  • Improper reading of EKG results
  • Overreliance on EKG results
  • Laboratory error
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Stroke

Stroke symptoms depend upon what part of the brain is damaged. Symptoms usually develop suddenly and without warning, or they may occur on and off for the first day or two. In some cases, however, a person may not even be aware that he or she has had a stroke. Symptoms are usually most severe when the stroke first happens, but they may slowly get worse. Some common symptoms include one or more of the following:

  • Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm, or leg, especially on one side of the body
  • Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding
  • Trouble seeing in one or both eyes
  • Trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination
  • Severe headache with no known cause

If a stroke is not diagnosed and treated immediately, the consequences can be severe. Stroke misdiagnosis can result in brain hemorrhage and permanent brain damage, even wrongful death.

If you suffered a heart attack or stroke and would like to discuss your legal rights, do not hesitate to contact us. The attorneys at the law firm of Brais Law Firm have the experience to protect your rights, the compassion to serve your needs, and the skill to obtain the compensation you deserve. To reach our lawyers you may click email the firm, call 800-499-0551 from within the U.S., Skype BraisLaw worldwide or click Contact Us to select and complete a form for a free evaluation of your case.

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