Mum, 36, Died of Heart Attack After Misdiagnosis

Mum, 36, died of heart attack after ‘hospital sent her home with paracetamol and misdiagnosis of trapped nerve’

It has been reported in the national press that a woman aged 36 has died after alleged failings at a hospital.  The woman was discharged home with a trapped nerve and advised to take paracetamol despite presenting herself with symptoms consistent with an acute coronary syndrome. The reports go on to state that the woman was suffering with pain in her arms and severe chest pains. Allegedly, the appropriate tests and investigations were not carried out.

Sadly, hours after she was discharged, she suffered a fatal heart attack at home leading to her death.

According to the reports, the woman would have survived had she been given a blood test in hospital. A blood test would have detected the heart protein and the fact that the blood flow to the heart was limited following her chest symptoms.

The consequences of a misdiagnosis can be devastating and can not only lead to delays in patients receiving the correct treatment but also, as appears to be the case here, premature death.

Misdiagnosis can also lead to the patient receiving the incorrect treatment which can result in worsening of the condition and/or psychological distress.

Medical misdiagnosis claims that we often see include:

• Cancer Misdiagnosis
• Delayed Diagnosis
  1. A serious illness is allowed to progress unchecked or without being correctly identified
  2. The wrong medication is prescribed due to the misdiagnosis of the condition. This could result in a worsening or prolonging of the ailment
• Complete Misdiagnosis
  1. Test results are misinterpreted or not properly assessed
  2. Failure to diagnose fractures

At Bell Lax we have dealt with many cases over the years involving delayed and complete misdiagnoses. 

If you are the victim of a misdiagnosis or a complete failure to diagnose a condition such as cancer or a heart condition, we recommend getting advice from a legal professional. Please call us and speak to one of our experienced medical negligence solicitors on a no obligation basis on 0121 355 0011.  We will not charge you for your call and if we act for you this will be on a no win no fee basis.