5 Pieces of Evidence That Could Strengthen Your Heart Disease Misdiagnosis Claim
Heart disease is the leading cause of death among adults in this country. When you consider the fact that it’s responsible for roughly 1 out of 4 deaths, it stands to reason that healthcare providers are well-versed in the condition. Unfortunately, however, that’s not always the case.
Often called the “silent killer,” heart disease can be easy to miss. Affected patients may not present with obvious symptoms, for example, that point to the condition. That doesn’t mean their doctors can’t be held responsible, though, if they misdiagnose it.
If your physician failed to diagnose your heart disease in a timely manner, you may have grounds for legal action. Should your claim prove successful, it will yield compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and other associated damages.
To give your case the best chance of resulting in a satisfactory settlement or favorable verdict, you’ll likely need to gather the following:
1. Medical Records
Your medical records will inevitably serve as the foundation of your claim. After evaluating the situation, a personal injury attorney will let you know exactly what you need. Generally speaking, though, you’ll probably have to supply records from both before and after the misdiagnosis.
2. Statements from Relevant Experts
Cardiologists and other medical specialists can speak on how they would have approached your case had you turned to them for care. As long as their testimony indicates your provider deviated from the most widely accepted standard of care, it will bolster your claim.
3. Eyewitness Testimony
Other members of your medical team may be able to pinpoint precisely when and how your physician was negligent. Chances are they won’t be inclined to testify against their colleague, though, so you may have to apply legal pressure to obtain their statements.
4. Bills, Invoices, and Receipts
You may seek compensation for all the expenses you incur as a result of the misdiagnosis—as long as you can prove them. Therefore, it’s imperative that you save all corresponding documentation, including invoices, receipts, bills, and paystubs.
In Florida, victims of medical malpractice may seek funds for their associated medical care and resulting lost wages. They may also include the cost of any reasonably necessary replacement services in the settlement calculations.
5. Detailed Journal Entries
Since receipts and invoices will only log your economic damages, you’re going to have to find another way to demonstrate non-economic damages like mental anguish, emotional distress, and pain and suffering. In most cases, personal injury journal entries will suffice.
Every day, write a short entry about the ways in which your quality of life has diminished because of the misdiagnosis. When compiled, these entries will provide a clear picture of your non-monetary losses.
Speak with a Florida Heart Disease Misdiagnosis Lawyer
If doctors overlooked your heart disease and you ended up suffering as a result, turn to Emerson Straw. Our tireless team isn’t afraid to go up against even the largest medical institutions and malpractice insurers. To schedule your free case review with a heart disease misdiagnosis attorney in Florida, call (727) 821-1500 or complete our Contact Form.