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Failure to Diagnose Aortic Aneurysms
Ohio and Northern Kentucky Medical Malpractice Lawyers for Failure to Diagnose Aortic Aneurysms
Aortic aneurysms are some of the most common and most deadly aneurysms in the United States. Unfortunately, they are often overlooked by medical professionals. When patients presenting symptoms like chest pain come into the hospital, they are often subjected to tests that would not catch an aortic aneurysm.
When a physician fails to diagnose an aortic aneurysm correctly or early enough, they can cause their patient to suffer from serious health complications, potentially even death.
If you or a loved one has suffered from severe injury or death as a result of a missed aortic aneurysm diagnosis, the Ohio and Northern Kentucky medical malpractice lawyers at TLF: The Medical Injury Law Firm are here to help. We proudly serve residents across Northern Kentucky, Cincinnati, and Dayton with experienced legal counsel and are ready to provide you with the legal representation you deserve regarding your diagnostic malpractice case. Call us toll-free at (800) 698-4054 and schedule a free consultation to discuss your potential medical malpractice claim.
What is an Aortic Aneurysm?
An aortic aneurysm is a bulge or balloon-like collection of blood in the aorta, which is the large blood vessel that carries blood through the torso. The bulge can either cause an aortic dissection or an aortic rupture.
- Aortic dissections occur when the blood splits the layers of the artery wall.
- Aortic ruptures occur when the aneurysm bursts through the artery wall, causing severe internal bleeding.
Whenever an aortic aneurysm occurs, early detection is crucial in preventing dissection or rupture. Both are potentially fatal and may require emergency vascular and endovascular surgery to fix.
Types of Aortic Aneurysms
There are two main types of aortic aneurysms: abdominal aortic aneurysms and thoracic aortic aneurysms. While abdominal aneurysms are more common than thoracic aneurysms, both are equally dangerous and life-threatening, and a failure to diagnose either could be a deadly mistake.
Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms
An abdominal aortic aneurysm is an aortic aneurysm that occurs below the chest, usually occurring somewhere in the middle of the abdomen. This type of aortic aneurysm is more common in men than women and is more likely to affect those above the age of 65. Abdominal aneurysms are most often caused by hardened arteries, but they can also be caused by other factors such as infection or injury.
Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Symptoms
At first, people with an abdominal aortic aneurysm may not experience any symptoms, but they may begin to experience symptoms as the aneurysm grows larger. Some of the most common symptoms of an abdominal aortic aneurysm include:
- General abdominal pain
- Chest pain
- Flank pain
- Nausea
People may also experience a stiff or rigid abdomen, or they may notice a pulsating lump somewhere below their chest. If the aneurysm ruptures, the person may experience a sudden drop in blood pressure or show signs of shock. A ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm can be incredibly dangerous and life-threatening, so it’s crucial that anyone who exhibits these symptoms should seek immediate medical care.
Thoracic Aortic Aneurysms
Thoracic aortic aneurysms occur in the chest area and usually occur as a result of an injury or due to high blood pressure. Both men and women are just as likely to suffer from this type of aneurysm.
Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm Symptoms
Many thoracic aneurysm symptoms are similar to abdominal aneurysm symptoms. Thoracic aortic aneurysm symptoms may include:
- Sharp or sudden chest, abdominal, or back pain
- Pain in the jaw or neck
- Wheezing or coughing
- Hoarseness
- Difficulty breathing
- Difficulty swallowing
If someone experiences any of these symptoms followed by low blood pressure or signs of shock, they should be taken to the emergency room as soon as possible. An aneurysm rupture is a serious medical emergency requiring immediate treatment. In the case of an aortic aneurysm rupture, the patient would likely require emergency vascular surgery, among other treatments.
Risk Factors for Aortic Aneurysms
Certain risk factors can increase a person’s chances of suffering from an aortic aneurysm. Someone is more likely to have an aortic aneurysm if they:
- Smoke or have ever smoked
- Have high blood pressure
- Have high cholesterol
- Have hardened arteries
Aortic aneurysms, especially thoracic aortic aneurysms, are more likely to occur in men than women, and are more common in older men. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends that all men over the age of 65 who have smoked in the past receive a chest ultrasound for an aortic aneurysm, even if they do not have symptoms.
Can You Sue for Aortic Aneurysms?
Yes, if a doctor fails to properly or timely diagnose and treat an aortic aneurysm, they can be sued for medical malpractice. When doctors fail to diagnose their patients correctly or on time, they can cause serious injuries and even death as a result. In the case of aortic aneurysms, patients can die before they even make it back to the hospital, especially those who suffer from dissected or ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysms.
Misdiagnosis and Failure to Diagnose Claims
When people think of medical malpractice and physician malpractice, they often think of things such as surgical complications. While many medical malpractice lawsuits involve surgical errors, doctors can also be sued for misdiagnosing or not diagnosing a patient with a medical condition. Diagnostic errors can come in the form of a(n):
- An incorrect diagnosis;
- A missed diagnosis; or
- A delayed diagnosis.
If you or a loved one is the victim of an incorrect, missed, or delayed diagnosis, you may be able to file a medical malpractice lawsuit against the negligent medical professional responsible for the injuries.
How a Medical Malpractice Attorney Can Help
Medical malpractice attorneys are instrumental in helping victims of medical negligence receive justice. Experienced malpractice firms will know how to file medical malpractice claims, even those involving a failure to diagnose.
A medical malpractice attorney will be able to negotiate with those on the opposite side of the lawsuit in order to help secure a fair and equitable settlement amount. Not only that, but if the litigation claims make it to trial, malpractice attorneys will have an in-depth understanding of the legal process and can help victims through any legal proceedings.
Call the Northern Kentucky and Ohio Medical Malpractice Lawyers at TLF: The Medical Injury Law Firm Today
Aortic aneurysms can be incredibly painful, and if they go undiagnosed, they’re likely to be deadly. When doctors fail to diagnose their patients on time, they should be held responsible for the damages they cause–and that’s exactly what the legal professionals at TLF: The Medical Injury Law Firm are here to do.
Our attorneys have extensive experience proving medical negligence in court, so you can rest assured that your case is in good hands. We’ll help prove that your doctor failed to provide you with a correct and timely diagnosis, even though they had the knowledge, ability, and means to do so.
We have offices in both Covington, KY, and Cincinnati, OH, and we are proud to represent residents of both states. You can contact our Kentucky office by calling (859) 898-2472, or you can contact our Ohio office by calling (513) 643-1689 to speak with our law office closest to you. You can also call our law office toll-free at (800) 698-4054 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation with a member of our skilled legal team.
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We are happy to offer a free consultation to evaluate your case. If you hire us as your legal counsel, we will represent you on a contingency-fee basis. You will pay no attorneys’ fees unless we recover financial damages.