Cardiology Malpractice Attorneys Serving Rhode Island
Obtaining proper cardiac care in Rhode Island and Massachusetts is often a matter of life or death. With the occurrence of a sudden event such as a myocardial infarction (or “heart attack”), every minute of delay in getting a proper diagnosis can make a difference in the outcome. At these times care providers may fail to recognize the symptoms of a heart attack. This is especially true because the symptoms of a heart attack do not always fit what most people think of as a typical pattern (such as the report of central chest pain or left arm pain). The need to recognize that the signs of an impending heart attack may not always be “typical” is particularly important in cases of younger individuals or women.
Contact Our Cardiologist Malpractice Lawyers for a FREE Consultation
To schedule a FREE consultation with one of the Providence cardiologist malpractice lawyers at Mandell, Boisclair & Mandell, call 401-273-8330 or contact us online today. We fight for victims of negligent cardiac care in Rhode Island and Massachusetts.
Our Experience with Negliegnt Cardiac Care Cases
Cardiac Care Negligence Cases can arise under a number of different scenarios. Two examples of cases we successfully resolved are:
Disregarded EKG Findings
We represented the family of a middle-aged man who went to his community hospital’s Emergency Room several times with a complaint of “heart-burn-like pain.” The patient was advised to take antacids and he was repeatedly discharged to home. The patient subsequently died of a heart attack.
Our investigation uncovered the fact that the electrocardiograms [“EKGs”] that were done in the E.R. showed signs of cardiac distress. The E.R. doctors disregarded the EKG findings. The case was resolved in the family’s favor. Our experts said that this man should have been referred to a cardiologist for testing and treatment. If this had been done the heart attack most likely would not have occurred.
Undiagnosed Diabetes
Our client went to the same general practice physician for nearly 20 years. He was unaware that he was at any particular risk for cardiac disease. He suffered a major heart attack. In the course of our investigation, we discovered that the blood laboratory work ordered by his doctor showed that for many years he had been suffering from severe, uncontrolled diabetes. Our experts testified that his cardiac disease would not have progressed to such a severe point if his diabetes had been properly treated. The case was resolved in our client’s favor.
Our nursing paralegal staff has many years of experience in Cardiac Emergency Medicine and cardiac intensive care. We consult with nationally renowned expert cardiologists and cardiovascular surgeons. We have successfully litigated many complex cases involving failure to properly manage patients at risk for cardiovascular disease, and failure to respond in a timely or proper manner in the face of a cardiovascular crisis.
If you have lost a loved one or suffered an injury due to cardiac care negligence, the cardiologist malpractice lawyers at Mandell, Boisclair & Mandell are here to help. Call us at 401-273-8330 to schedule a FREE and confidential consultation at our Providence office today. We proudly serve individuals and families living in Rhode Island and the surrounding areas of Massachusetts.
Cardiac care negligence occurs when a healthcare provider—such as a cardiologist, surgeon, or nurse practitioner—fails to provide the standard of care required for treating a patient’s heart condition. Similar to other types of medical malpractice, cardiac care negligence may involve:
- Missed or Delayed Diagnosis. Failing to recognize the signs of a heart attack, arrhythmia, or another cardiac condition.
- Medication Errors. Prescribing the wrong medication, incorrect dosage, or failing to monitor a patient’s reaction to different cardiac drugs.
- Surgical Mistakes. Errors during procedures such as angioplasty, bypass surgery, or pacemaker implantation.
- Failure to Monitor. Not properly monitoring a patient’s condition during or after treatment.
- Failure to Obtain Informed Consent. Performing procedures or administering treatments without advising the patient of potential risks and complications.
If you suspect a healthcare provider’s negligence or malpractice caused or contributed to complications, we are here to help. Our cardiologist malpractice lawyers will review your case—free of cost and obligation—to help you determine how best to proceed.
Cardiac care negligence can differ from other types of medical malpractice due to the critical and time-sensitive nature of heart conditions. Mistakes in diagnosing or treating heart-related issues can have immediate and life-threatening consequences, making it vital that the standard of care be maintained. Cardiac care often involves complex procedures and medications that require specific knowledge and unwavering attention to detail. Even a seemingly “minor” misstep can result in pain, suffering, and even death.
When you or a loved one suffers from complications related to cardiology malpractice, you need a legal team with a history of successfully holding doctors and other healthcare professionals accountable on your side. Identified as one of the Best Law Firms in America, Mandell, Boisclair & Mandell is here to review your claim, discuss your options, and help you determine the best way to pursue compensation for your damages.
Signs that you may have experienced cardiac care negligence include:
- A worsening of your condition after treatment
- Unexpected complications or side effects from a treatment or medication
- A lack of improvement in your condition after treatment
- Inadequate communication from your healthcare provider
Receiving different opinions from other healthcare providers may also suggest that your initial diagnosis or treatment was incorrect.
We trust cardiologists and other medical providers to apply their knowledge, training, and experience in every situation. Whether through oversight, exhaustion, laziness, or something else, when they fail to do so and injury results, they can be held liable for the damages they caused. At Mandell, Boisclair & Mandell, our Rhode Island cardiac care negligence lawyers work with experts to thoroughly examine malpractice claims, enabling us to identify how and when issues occurred. This helps to ensure we have the evidence needed to help you secure the compensation you deserve.
If you suspect negligence in your cardiac care, you may want to:
- Seek a Second Opinion. Consult with another cardiologist to evaluate your diagnosis, treatment plan, and outcomes.
- Request Your Medical Records. Obtain copies of all relevant medical records, including test results, treatment notes, and prescriptions.
- Document Your Experience. Keep a detailed record of your symptoms, treatments, and any communications with your healthcare provider.
- Contact a Cardiology Malpractice Lawyer. Speak with an experienced attorney who focuses on medical malpractice to assess your case and discuss your legal options.
The cardiology negligence lawyers at our Providence firm are dedicated to helping victims of medical malpractice seek fair and full compensation. Information and documentation you have collected may serve to bolster our investigative efforts and assist us in determining how best to proceed with your claim.
In Rhode Island, victims of cardiac care malpractice may be entitled to seek compensation for:
- Medical Expenses
- Lost Wages
- Pain and Suffering
- And More
When you are injured by a negligent cardiologist, you are entitled to seek compensation for both economic and personal damages. This can include rehabilitation and therapy, the cost of additional procedures, wages lost during recovery, and any other financial consequences related to the incident. It can also include compensation for the physical and emotional discomfort caused by the negligent act.
It can be very difficult to secure fair compensation without the assistance of an experienced legal team. During your complimentary case review with one of our cardiologist malpractice lawyers, we will carefully assess your claim to help you understand which damages you may be entitled to seek.
Expert testimony can be incredibly useful when seeking compensation for cardiac care negligence. Cardiac care involves complex medical procedures and specialized knowledge, making it necessary to have expert witnesses explain how the standard of care was breached and how that breach caused injury.
Expert medical witnesses can provide insight into what a competent healthcare provider would have done differently and help establish the link between negligence and harm. This testimony can be very important for proving your case and securing proper compensation.
When it comes to cardiology negligence claims, there is no set, standard, or even “typical” length of time it may take to resolve. Many claims are resolved within a year, but several factors—including the complexity of the case—will play a role in its duration. These may include:
- Investigation and Preparation. The initial phase involves gathering medical records, consulting with experts, and building a strong case. It can take several months to complete this phase depending on the complexity of the medical issues involved.
- The Discovery Process. After a lawsuit is filed, the discovery process begins. During this phase, both sides exchange information and evidence to support their arguments. This stage can take several months to resolve, especially if there are disputes over evidence or depositions.
- Settlement Negotiations. Many cardiac care negligence cases are settled before going to trial. Settlement negotiations can occur at any point during the litigation process and are faster than a trial, but it may still take several months to reach a satisfactory agreement.
- Trial. When cases can’t be settled, they may head to trial. While the trial itself may last a week or less, it can take months to secure a trial date. Some trials last for several weeks.
After the trial, there may be an appeal, which can extend the timeline further. Having an experienced cardiology malpractice attorney on your side helps to ensure you are kept informed as your case progresses and given voice in determining how the claim proceeds.
Because it is impossible to know which direction a negligent cardiologist claim will take, it is important to have an attorney on your side who is proven both in settlement negotiations and jury trials. Our lawyers have been recognized by local, regional, and national organizations for their effectiveness both in and out of the courtroom. We will stand by your side no matter the direction your claim goes, providing support, protection, and tireless advocacy as we fight for the compensation you are due.
