Medical Malpractice

This February marks the 10th annual American Heart Month. The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) uses this month to raise awareness about heart disease and the many serious consequences it can have for women. According to the organization, heart disease is the number one killer of women. It is important to understand the symptoms of coronary heart disease and to seek immediate medical attention. Unfortunately, there are many cases each year of medical malpractice involving the misdiagnoses of serious heart conditions.

Coronary heart disease involves the narrowing of the small blood vessels that supply oxygen and blood to the heart. It is known as heart disease, coronary heart disease (CHD), and coronary artery disease. Heart disease involves the hardening of the arteries and a buildup of plaque in the arteries to the patient’s heart.

When this happens, blood flow to the heart can slow down or even stop. Symptoms include: fatigue, shortness of breath, weakness, chest pain (angina), and discomfort in the patient’s neck, stomach, upper back, or arms.

Doctors observing these types of symptoms may perform a number of tests, including an invasive test called a coronary angiography/arteriography, a noninvasive CT angiography, an echocardiogram, or an electrocardiogram. A failure to perform the necessary tests to diagnose and treat this serious condition may be considered a form of medical malpractice.

Early detection and proper treatment of heart disease can greatly increase the victim’s ability to fully recover from it. Therefore, doctors who fail to perform the right tests, properly read the test, or who fail to properly diagnose the symptoms put the victim at great risk.

The experienced medical malpractice lawyers in Las Vegas at Shook & Stone have years of experience handling medical malpractice cases relating to heart conditions in Nevada. If you or a loved one has been misdiagnosed, or you are concerned that mistakes were made with your diagnosis, please call our offices at 1(877) 910-2220 for a free consultation.

Nevada patients expect their physicians and healthcare providers to be qualified, ethical, and provide the highest standard of care. Unfortunately, many physicians have forgotten the Hippocratic Oath which they had sworn to when they first became healthcare professionals.

Medical malpractice is a general term used to describe unethical, inappropriate, negligent or substandard care by a physician, hospital or other healthcare provider. Each state has its own specific definition of medical malpractice, however. In Nevada, medical malpractice is defined as “…the failure of a physician, hospital or employee of a hospital, in rendering services, to use the reasonable care, skill or knowledge ordinarily used under similar circumstances” (NRS 41A.009). Some common incidents of medical malpractice in Nevada include failure to diagnose a serious illness, delayed diagnosis, improper diagnosis, medication error, and surgical error.

If you or a loved one has been the victim of medical malpractice in Nevada, you may be entitled to compensation for both economic and noneconomic damages; however, according to Nevada’s Revised Statutes, “…an action for injury or death against a provider of health care may not be commenced more than 3 years after the date of injury or 1 year after the plaintiff discovers or through the use of reasonable diligence should have discovered the injury…” (NRS 41A.097). Various exceptions and/or qualifications apply to not only this rule but to other Nevada medical malpractice laws. An experienced Las Vegas medical malpractice attorney can provide you with the guidance you need to understand the laws and make a well informed decision concerning your situation.

At Shook & Stone, our knowledgeable Nevada medical malpractice lawyers have successfully pursued compensation on behalf of victims of medical malpractice. To learn more about your legal rights and to ask any questions you may have, please call us today for a free consultation at 1-877-910-2220.