Every year approximately 715,000 Americans have a heart attack. The rate of misdiagnosis of heart attacks has been shown to be high, with about 1 in 50 heart attack victims sent home from emergency rooms with a mistaken diagnosis.
It is not surprising that medical malpractice claims involving heart attack misdiagnosis are among the most common malpractice claims made. In addition to diagnostic errors, mistakes in the treatment of heart attacks also may give rise to medical malpractice or negligence claims. Healthcare providers and hospitals also may be subject to other types of liability related to the diagnosis or treatment of heart attacks.
Attorneys, physicians, hospitals, insurers, and others who may be affected should be aware of the types of lawsuits and other liability issues that may arise in connection with the diagnosis or treatment of a heart attack and how to handle this litigation.
