Cardiology.

Cardiac Negligence Claims: Heart Attack & Stroke Misdiagnosis Compensation.

Being diagnosed with a heart condition can have a devastating impact on you and your family.

It may mean that you will have life-changing surgery or have to take medication for the rest of your life. In some cases, it could mean that you need to change jobs or give up work completely, depending on the type and severity of your condition.

If there was any kind of delay in diagnosis of your heart condition, or you feel that the medical treatment you have received has been below the standard you’d expect, it can potentially give rise to a compensation claim. Finding out that you’ve received negligent medical treatment can leave you feeling angry, frustrated, and confused, especially if you feel that your heart condition has worsened unduly due to the negligent actions of a medical professional.

At Lanyon Bowdler, we’re here to help you seek the justice and compensation that you deserve. Whether you’ve been the victim of misdiagnosis; delayed diagnosis; or the mismanagement of your heart condition, our cardiac negligence specialists have the experience and expertise to ensure your claim is pursued vigorously.

What is Cardiology Negligence?

Cardiology is a complex area of medicine, covering a wide variety of different heart and circulatory illnesses and disorders. Those who work in the field of cardiology owe a duty of care to their patients to ensure they are providing an appropriate level of care, and a failure to uphold this duty of care could have devastating consequences for patients and their families.

The vast majority of medical procedures are undertaken successfully by experienced surgeons, but when mistakes are made the consequences can be devastating.

Misdiagnosis or a failure to treat a serious heart condition, by a cardiologist, can lead to severe heart damage, a heart attack, or even death – often due to the patient not receiving the right treatment or diagnosis.

Some of the most common types of cardiology negligence for which we have handled compensation claims include:

Misdiagnosed hypertension

High blood pressure is known medically as hypertension, and is a condition in which the pressure placed on the body’s blood vessels is consistently higher than it should be. If left untreated, for example due to a misdiagnosis, hypertension can lead to serious health problems including stroke and heart disease.

Heart attack miss-management

A heart attack, or myocardial infarction, occurs when the blood supply to the heart is cut off, for example by a blood clot or a blocked artery. The symptoms can appear similar to those of heartburn or indigestion, so may be misdiagnosed. If left untreated, a heart attack can lead to a cardiac arrest, which is when the heart stops beating suddenly.

Surgical errors

Some heart conditions and illnesses require treatment with surgery – either laparoscopically (“keyhole surgery”) or via open heart surgery – and in most cases the surgery runs smoothly. However, in some cases, an artery or nerve may be damaged during the procedure, potentially causing problems like internal bleeding and loss of sensation.

Device issues

Some heart problems can be treated or managed with internal devices such as a pacemaker or implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD). Problems can occur due to things such as circuit damage, battery failure, lead disconnection, or incorrect programming, causing the device to malfunction and therefore render it unable to carry out its intended function.

Delayed diagnosis

There are a number of ways in which an accurate diagnosis may be delayed, such as the failure of your GP to recognise your symptoms and carry out the appropriate examinations. Delays can also occur if your GP fails to refer you to a specialist, and if the specialist fails to order the appropriate diagnostic testing, or fails to interpret your test results accurately.

Incorrect treatment

If you have been misdiagnosed, you may receive the wrong type or dose of treatment to manage or treat your condition, or a pharmacist may dispense your prescription incorrectly – all of which can have serious implications for your health.

This list is not exhaustive, and if you have received any kind of negligent treatment from a medical professional relating to a cardiology issue, we can help you to seek justice.

Other ways in which medical professionals may be negligent in their treatment of cardiology patients include:

Not conducting the correct diagnostic tests when a patient first complains of chest pain.
Failing to diagnose angina for a patient who presented with chest pain.
A GP failing to diagnose a heart murmur.
Not warning a patient about the risk of cardiac catheterisation.
Poor ongoing management of the condition of those who suffer from angina or heart failure, have had a heart attack, or suffer from long-term ischaemic heart disease, cardiac catheterisation, or have had a pacemaker inserted.
Failure to correctly analyse an ECG (electrical tracing of the heart) which showed a heart problem, with the condition being misdiagnosed as reflux or some other stomach problem.

Cardiology compensation claims can be complex and challenging, but the medical negligence team at Lanyon Bowdler have the experience and expertise to handle your case with the sensitivity and diligence it deserves.

Our Cardiac Negligence Expertise

Our Cardiac Negligence Solicitors at Lanyon Bowdler are leaders in the field. Contact us today and we can help you gain the compensation that you deserve.

The Legal 500 & Chambers UK recommendations

The Medical Negligence Team is recognised in Tier One for the West Midlands in the 2024 edition of The Legal 500, which states ‘The ‘approachable and collaborative individuals’ at Lanyon Bowdler are praised for the ‘time given to the client to offer reassurance and explanations’. A testimonial reads: ‘Lanyon Bowdler are a top quality clinical negligence firm, and head and shoulders above other regional firms in this sector. The team is excellent, and works on cases of all values. Claims are thoroughly investigated, and run with confidence’.

Chambers UK 2024 rank the department in Band One in the Midlands and state ‘an impressive practice group with a growing presence across the West Midlands. The team offers specialist advice across the full gamut of clinical negligence mandates, with particular experience in cases of surgical error, delayed diagnosis and failure to supervise those at risk of suicide. The firm is additionally skilled in cases relating to post-surgical negligence, brain injury and fatal claims.’

Lanyon Bowdler clinical negligence team win 'Team of the Year' in Personal Injury Awards 2018 and is shortlisted in 2022

In 2022 the team were shortlisted for Clinical Negligence Team of the Year at the Eclipse Proclaim Personal Injury Awards in Manchester, an award they won in 2018 beating off competition from across the UK.

Kay Kelly, former head and now consultant for the team, said: “This is absolutely wonderful news and is a fitting tribute to the expertise and dedication of our clinical negligence lawyers.

“Clinical negligence is a particularly sensitive area of law which makes a tremendous difference to people’s lives. A successful claim can be vital for the person’s recovery and future quality of life, so to be recognised as being the best team in the country for our work means a great deal.”

The team is both proud and delighted to have won this award.

Your Cardiology Negligence questions answered

Why should I make a claim for cardiac compensation?

If you have received negligent cardiology treatment which has impacted your health and led to a worsening of your heart or circulatory condition, claiming compensation may be the furthest thing from your mind right now. Your first priority will most likely be ensuring that you are receiving the correct treatment and management of your condition. However, you may find that you or a loved one are struggling to maintain your lifestyle after having suffered from negligence related to cardiology or cardiac procedures.

20% of all acute medicine involves cardiology. That means a huge amount of procedures are carried out on a daily basis, which has led to a dramatic increase in litigation in recent years.

Taking legal action may seem like a daunting prospect, but if you have been a victim of cardiology mistreatment or misdiagnosis, it’s important to consider all the options available to you.

The highly experienced clinical negligence specialists here at Lanyon Bowdler are friendly and approachable and will be able to talk through your case sensitively.

What can I include in my Cardiology Negligence Claim?

If your health has deteriorated as a result of the negligent cardiology treatment you have received, you may have had to take an extended period of time off work, or you may have had to give up work altogether, which can have a huge financial impact on you and your family. Likewise, if you have sadly lost a loved one after negligent medical treatment, you may be facing unplanned funeral costs and the loss of income within your household.

By making a cardiology negligence claim, compensation can be sought to help your family to help:

Alleviate the financial strain on your family
Cover the cost of long term prescriptions
Fund private medical treatment
Fund the purchase of specialist equipment
Cover the cost of travel to medical appointments
Cover the cost of unplanned funeral expenses
Recover and claim for past and future loss of earnings

The process of pursuing legal action of this nature can be incredibly difficult to handle psychologically, so we strive to keep things as uncomplicated as possible for you, and ensure you are kept regularly updated throughout.

Our friendly and experienced medical negligence solicitors have built up a network of physical and mental health therapists that we are able to recommend to our clients in order to support your needs during the legal case and beyond.

Testimonials

What our clients say.

Communication was second to none. Thank you.

Mr G

Telford

Since dealing with Lanyon Bowdler they have been diligent, efficient and at all times very helpful along with being structured in dealing with matters, fees and clarity on all levels. Thank you.

Michael

via ReviewSolicitors

I was clearly informed of progress step by step. The service you provided was very good.

Peter Weston

Shrewsbury

All work carried out effectively and efficiently.

Hubert Jones

via ReviewSolicitors

An excellent service with solicitors that you can talk to and who give you a clear understanding of all necessary legal implications and interpretations.

Eric

via ReviewSolicitors

From start to finish we had excellent service. Friendly, approachable and professional.

Carl Gittins

via ReviewSolicitors

Very clear, concise advice and guidance, easy to understand.

Ian Jamieson

Telford

Over the last seven years I have been represented by Lanyon Bowdler in a clinical negligence case. Throughout this time, I put my complete trust in the firm and they did not let me down.

Darren

via ReviewSolicitors

My solicitor kept me informed on everything in the five years that it took to have a successful claim.

Gill

via ReviewSolicitors

Good service provided throughout with clear communication throughout with all options explored.

Lee

I can thoroughly recommend the highly professional and supportive service received over the last few months.

Heather

via ReviewSolicitors

Responsive, supportive, approachable, clear and empathetic.

Lisa Thacker

Professional and prompt communication. Supportive and client focused.

Lisa Thacker

Jennifer M Whittall Ltd

Whenever I have had need to contact Lanyon Bowdler I have always received a fast, concise and friendly response.

Lee Mortimer

UK Case Management

Definitely would use Lanyon Bowdler again if I need the use of a solicitor.

Mark Bowkett

via ReviewSolicitors

Smooth and efficient service from very professional firm.

Tim

via ReviewSolicitors

We were particularly impressed with the quality of work, the speed and excellent communication.

Allenby Douglas Ltd

Oswestry

Very friendly and approachable. Very good advice

Ivor Brown

via ReviewSolicitors

Great Service; Lanyon Bowdler were excellent from the outset. Straightforward and easy process. I just sat back and waited.

Paul Rowe

via ReviewSolicitors

Our first experience with a medical claim has been made that much more painless by the clear and consistent advice provided to date, thank you.

Peter

via ReviewSolicitors

Everything has been professional, efficient and courteous throughout and we are very pleased, both with the service and with the eventual outcome of our case. Everything was first class and exceeded our expectations. Thank you again for providing such splendid service. It is really appreciated.

Mr N J & Dr S J Browne

Llanfyllin

Contact our Cardiology Negligence Solicitors

As well as being highly skilled and experienced law specialists, we have excellent partnerships with medical experts who work on cases with us. By using this specialist expertise, we have been successful in numerous claims for compensation for clinical negligence.

Please call for a friendly, confidential and compassionate approach to your situation and to see how our medical negligence lawyers can help. There is no obligation for you or any charges for our initial assessment.

By choosing Lanyon Bowdler, you can rest assured that you have the best legal expertise on your team. Lanyon Bowdler’s Medical Negligence team is widely acclaimed and recognised as one of the best clinical negligence departments in the country. We are committed to providing exceptional levels of client care and will work closely and considerately with you to help find the best outcomes and help to get your life back on track.

We have offices in Shrewsbury, Telford, Oswestry, Ludlow, Hereford, Bromyard and Conwy, so are able to act for clients all over Shropshire, Herefordshire, Mid and North Wales and across the Midlands (including Wolverhampton & Birmingham). As a leading full-service law firm, we can represent you wherever you live in England or Wales.

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