Bradycardia Misdiagnosis. Misdiagnosis & Failure to Diagnose Bradycardia

Contact Our Cleveland Misdiagnosis Attorneys for a Free Consultation

On September 30, 2014, thetelegraph.com reported that a 60-year-old man died the previous December from “a treatable and curable heart condition” after being misdiagnosed as having the flu. His wife filed a medical malpractice lawsuit that claimed doctors neglected to diagnose his heart problem or refer him to a specialist even though he’d visited the hospital complaining of syncope and bradycardia.

She further claimed that he visited the hospital emergency room in September and October for bradycardia symptoms, such as vertigo and a slow heart rate in the low- to mid-40s range. As WebMD has stated, anything under 60 beats per minute is slower than normal.

“For some people, a slow heart rate does not cause any problems. It can be a sign of being very fit,” the site said. However, “[m]men and women age 65 and older are most likely to develop a slow heart rate that needs treatment. As a person ages, the electrical system of the heart often doesn’t function normally.”

Heart attacks, coronary artery disease, a low thyroid level, an excess amount of potassium in the blood, and blood pressure medications can all affect heart rate as well.

“It’s important to get a prompt, accurate diagnosis and appropriate care,” per Mayo Clinic.

If you or your loved one were the victim of a bradycardia misdiagnosis, contact The Mellino Law Firm at (440) 333-3800 to speak with a Cleveland misdiagnosis lawyer about your case.

Bradycardia Lawsuits in the News

On February 27, 2014, bizjournals.com reported that a newborn baby developed spastic quadriplegic cerebral palsy after nurses hesitated in telling a doctor she’d been suffering from bradycardia, which caused brain damage. A jury awarded the family $32.8 million for future medical bills, past and future non-economic damages, and lost earning capacity.

Another baby suffered severe brain damage in 2010, per dodgeglobe.com.

“A review of the fetal heart rate monitor showed a significant slowing of the heart rate that lasted about 31 minutes, according to the lawsuit. But because the delivery occurred shortly after 11 a.m., the total time of the slower heart rate was about 40 minutes,” the article stated. The baby spent 23 days in the hospital, where he was diagnosed with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy, possible sepsis, respiratory distress, seizures, and microcephaly with spastic quadriplegia.

Contact The Mellino Law Firm with Your Bradycardia Questions

If you or a loved one suffered a permanent injury or death as a result of medical malpractice, such as neglecting bradycardia symptoms, attorney Chris Mellino welcomes you to contact our office for a free consultation.

Chris and Tom are respected throughout northeast Ohio for their ability to dig below the surface to find out what really happened. In fact, Chris has been involved in several cases that changed Ohio law, including Moskovitz v. Mt. Sinai Medical Center (1994) and Watkins v. Cleveland Clinic Foundation (1998). In the latter, he and his previous partner were awarded the largest verdict in the state that year.

Unlike firms that take every case that walks in the door, neglect to return clients’ phone calls, and settle their claim for the first amount the defendant offers in order to fund their next commercial, The Mellino Law Firm does not advertise. Attorneys and satisfied clients send us the majority of our cases. Others find us online. We only pursue compensation for those who’ve suffered a severe injury or death. By limiting the number of claims we accept, we’re able to give each one the attention it deserves.

Discuss your case with one of our misdiagnosis attorneys in Cleveland; contact us online or call (440) 333-3800 to schedule a free consultation.