When you visit a hospital or clinic for chest pain, dizziness, or shortness of breath, you trust medical professionals to recognize the signs of a heart attack and act quickly. Unfortunately, some doctors fail to diagnose heart attacks accurately or in time—resulting in devastating, sometimes fatal consequences. If you or a loved one suffered harm because of a delayed or missed heart attack diagnosis, Raposo & Lukacs can help. Our Miami heart attack misdiagnosis attorney stands up for patients and families whose trust in the medical system was broken.
Contact our Miami heart attack misdiagnosis attorney today for a free consultation.
What is a Heart Attack?
A heart attack, or myocardial infarction, occurs when blood flow to the heart muscle is blocked—often due to a buildup of plaque, cholesterol, or a blood clot. Without immediate treatment, heart tissue begins to die, leading to severe complications or death.
Prompt recognition and treatment are essential. Doctors must recognize key symptoms such as:
Chest pain or pressure
Pain radiating to the arm, neck, or jaw
Shortness of breath
Nausea, lightheadedness, or cold sweats
Fatigue or sudden weakness
Early diagnosis can make the difference between full recovery and irreversible damage. When healthcare professionals overlook these warning signs, the results can be catastrophic.
Common Ways to Misdiagnose a Heart Attack
Heart attacks can sometimes mimic other medical conditions, but that is no excuse for negligence. Proper medical evaluation—including an electrocardiogram (EKG), blood tests for cardiac enzymes, and imaging—helps identify heart attacks accurately. A misdiagnosis often occurs because a healthcare provider fails to take a thorough history, ignores test results, or makes assumptions about a patient’s symptoms.
Common ways a heart attack is misdiagnosed include:
Attributing symptoms to less serious conditions: Heart attack symptoms may be mistaken for anxiety or panic attacks, acid reflux (GERD) or heartburn, musculoskeletal pain, or influenza or fatigue.
Failure to order necessary tests: A simple EKG or troponin blood test can reveal life-threatening issues. Neglecting to perform these tests may delay critical intervention.
Ignoring or misreading test results: Even when tests are conducted, physicians or technicians may misinterpret the data or overlook subtle abnormalities.
Gender bias in diagnosis: Women often experience atypical heart attack symptoms—such as nausea, jaw pain, or back pain—and are more likely to be misdiagnosed or dismissed by healthcare providers.
Failure to review medical history: A patient’s prior cardiovascular issues, family history, or risk factors like diabetes or hypertension should inform diagnostic decisions. Overlooking these details can lead to a missed diagnosis.
When medical professionals fail to uphold the accepted standard of care, they may be held legally responsible for the consequences.
Who is Liable for Heart Attack Misdiagnosis?
Determining liability in a heart attack misdiagnosis case involves identifying where the error occurred and who was responsible for the lapse in care. Multiple parties can share responsibility, including:
Emergency Room Doctors – Often the first to assess patients with chest pain, ER doctors must quickly recognize signs of a heart attack and initiate treatment. Failure to act promptly can be fatal.
Primary Care Physicians – Misdiagnosis can also occur during office visits if a doctor downplays symptoms or fails to refer a patient for emergency evaluation.
Nurses and Technicians – Neglect in recording vital signs, performing EKGs, or communicating abnormalities to a physician may contribute to misdiagnosis.
Hospitals and Medical Facilities – Institutions can be liable for inadequate staffing, training, or supervision that leads to diagnostic errors.
To prove medical malpractice, your Miami heart attack misdiagnosis lawyer from Raposo & Lukacs must demonstrate that:
A doctor-patient relationship existed, establishing a duty of care.
The medical professional breached that duty through negligence or omission.
The breach directly caused injury, worsening condition, or death.
The patient suffered measurable damages—such as additional medical costs, pain and suffering, or loss of income.
At Raposo & Lukacs, we work with medical experts to review records, evaluate standards of care, and build strong, evidence-based claims on behalf of victims and families.
Long-Term Consequences of Heart Attack Misdiagnosis
When a heart attack is missed or diagnosed too late, the consequences can be devastating. Some of the most common outcomes include:
Permanent heart damage due to lack of timely oxygen supply.
Heart failure or reduced cardiac function.
Increased risk of future cardiac events.
Need for invasive procedures, such as bypass surgery or implantation of medical devices.
Death, in the most tragic cases.
Beyond the physical impact, patients often suffer emotional trauma and financial strain. Medical malpractice claims seek to recover damages for these losses and help victims obtain the support they need to move forward.
Heart Attack Misdiagnosis FAQs
How can I tell if my heart attack was misdiagnosed?
If you sought medical care for chest pain or related symptoms and were sent home or treated for another condition—only to later suffer a confirmed heart attack—you may have been misdiagnosed. A lawyer can help review your medical records and consult with experts to determine if malpractice occurred.
Is a delayed diagnosis the same as a misdiagnosis?
Yes. Even a delay in diagnosing a heart attack can be catastrophic. If a doctor’s failure to act promptly led to complications or worsened injury, it may qualify as malpractice.
What compensation can I recover in a misdiagnosis lawsuit?
Victims may be entitled to compensation for medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, reduced quality of life, and—if applicable—wrongful death damages for surviving family members.
How long do I have to file a medical malpractice claim in Florida?
In Florida, the statute of limitations for medical malpractice is generally two years from the date the malpractice was discovered or should have been discovered. There are exceptions, so it’s crucial to contact a lawyer as soon as possible.
Do I need an expert witness to prove my case?
Yes. Florida law typically requires testimony from a qualified medical expert who can confirm that the healthcare provider failed to meet the accepted standard of care.
Speak With a Miami Heart Attack Misdiagnosis Attorney Today
If you or a loved one has suffered due to a delayed or missed heart attack diagnosis, you don’t have to face the aftermath alone. The skilled legal team at Raposo & Lukacs is here to guide you every step of the way—fighting for accountability, justice, and the compensation you deserve.
Call (305) 575-2177 to discuss your situation and take your first step toward answers and support in Miami.
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When the stakes are high, you need a legal team that won’t flinch. We are aggressive, strategic, and relentless in our pursuit of justice. Our track record speaks for itself—when we take on a case, we fight to win.
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Your legal battle isn’t just another case to us—it’s your future, your financial security, and your peace of mind. We take a personal stake in every case we handle, fighting with determination to deliver the justice and compensation you deserve.
How Raposo & Lukacs Can Help
Pursuing a medical malpractice case requires extensive legal and medical knowledge. Our team at Raposo & Lukacs has the experience and resources to handle even the most complex misdiagnosis claims. When you work with our team, we will:
Conduct a thorough investigation of your medical treatment and hospital records.
Consult with leading cardiology and emergency medicine experts.
Identify every liable party involved in your misdiagnosis.
Calculate the full extent of your damages, including medical bills, lost wages, and future care needs.
Aggressively pursue compensation through negotiation or litigation.
We understand how devastating a medical error can be—and we are committed to holding negligent providers accountable while helping you secure justice.
