Aortic dissection is one of the most dangerous medical emergencies physicians encounter. The condition can quickly become fatal without proper intervention. If you or a loved one suffered harm because a doctor failed to diagnose your cardiovascular emergency, you may have rights under New Mexico medical malpractice law.
The Las Cruces misdiagnosis attorneys at Coates & Johnson, PLLC can help you understand your legal options and pursue full compensation for your medical expenses and other losses occasioned by the malpractice. Call us today to schedule a free consultation to learn more.
What is Aortic Dissection?
Aortic dissection occurs when the inner layer of the aorta tears, allowing blood to travel between layers of the vessel wall. This can disrupt blood flow and potentially lead to rupture, stroke, organ failure, or sudden death.
Unfortunately, aortic dissection symptoms can also mimic other conditions, which can cause a misdiagnosis. In fact, aortic dissection in the ER is missed in roughly 15% to 40% of all cases.
Why Choose Coates & Johnson, PLLC to Handle Your Aortic Dissection Case?
Aortic dissection malpractice claims are about the heart. Accordingly, they require attorneys with heart — and the ability to obtain compensation when it matters. At Coates & Johnson, PLLC, our firm has extensive experience handling and winning complex diagnostic negligence cases for our clients. We’re the firm you want on your side.
Clients in Las Cruces, NM, rely on our firm because:
- Our practice is devoted entirely to representing victims of medical negligence throughout New Mexico.
- Our team includes an attorney with both medical and courtroom experience.
- We collaborate with respected medical specialists.
- Every case receives direct attention from our firm’s partners rather than being passed off to case managers.
- We build every claim with trial in mind and aggressively challenge medical defendants who refuse to take responsibility.
Call us today to schedule a free case review with a Las Cruces medical malpractice attorney who cares about what’s happened to you.
Why Hire An Attorney to Pursue Your Medical Negligence Claim in New Mexico
Failure-to-diagnose aortic dissection cases aren’t cut and dry. Physicians may argue that the condition was too difficult to diagnose or that the symptoms resembled another condition. They generally won’t accept responsibility unless the evidence forces them to.
An attorney can help collect that evidence and coordinate testimony from experts showing you suffered an aortic dissection because of malpractice.
An attorney can help:
- Carefully review records and treatment timelines to understand how you were evaluated
- Analyze testing and diagnostic decisions made by healthcare providers
- Consult with cardiovascular and emergency medicine experts regarding the accepted standard of care
- Identify whether physicians failed to recognize symptoms or warning signs of aortic dissection
- Evaluate whether earlier diagnosis and surgical intervention could have improved your health outcome
- Pursue compensation through negotiated settlements or medical malpractice litigation when necessary
An attorney will handle all aspects of your case and navigate the complex evidence requirements required to win you compensation.
Symptoms That Should Have Triggered Further Testing
Symptoms of aortic dissection are often severe and may include:
- Sudden severe chest pain
- Back pain
- Shortness of breath
- Fainting
- Abdominal pain
- Stroke-like symptoms
These symptoms are associated with many different health conditions that may not automatically suggest cardiological issues. That’s why it’s important to examine a patient for risk factors like high blood pressure, connective tissue disorders, smoking, heart disease, and prior vascular conditions.
Proving an ER Misdiagnosis Case Under New Mexico Law
Emergency room misdiagnosis cases are governed by New Mexico medical malpractice law (NMSA § 41-5-1 et seq.) To recover compensation, an injured patient generally must prove four elements: duty, breach, causation, and damages.
Initially, you must establish that the healthcare provider owed you a duty of care, which always exists in a patient-provider relationship. Next, you must show that the provider breached the applicable standard of care by failing to act as a reasonably qualified medical professional would have under similar circumstances. This often requires expert medical testimony to establish the proper care that should have been provided.
The patient must also prove causation, meaning the misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis of aortic dissection directly caused additional harm that would have been avoided with proper treatment. Finally, the patient must demonstrate that they suffered damages, such as additional medical expenses, lost income, permanent injury, disability, or pain and suffering.
In most cases, New Mexico imposes a three-year statute of limitations on medical malpractice claims. Claims must be filed within this deadline to move forward in court.
Contact an Experienced Aortic Dissection Lawyer for Help Today
Missed or delayed diagnosis of aortic dissection can truly break the heart and cause life-altering harm to a patient. If medical providers failed to properly diagnose or respond to this emergency condition, you may have a medical malpractice claim.
Contact the Las Cruces medical malpractice lawyers at Coates & Johnson, PLLC, for help in investigating the circumstances surrounding the diagnosis and determining your right to seek compensation.