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Heart Attack Negligence Compensation Claims Specialists
Learn how to make heart attack negligence compensation claims with the help of our expert specialist solicitors.
£85 million in compensation
Heart Attack Negligence Compensation Claims Specialists
Learn how to make heart attack negligence compensation claims with the help of our expert specialist solicitors.
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A Guide To Heart Attack Negligence Compensation Claims
Heart attacks can have a variety of symptoms, such as lightheadedness, chest pain, and excessive sweating. Without prompt and correct treatment, heart attacks can have devastating, life-changing, and potentially fatal consequences for those who experience them. If you or a loved one has endured unnecessary pain and suffering due to inadequate care from a healthcare provider, you may be able to start the heart attack negligence compensation claims process.
Our team has seen firsthand the pain and anguish that heart attack negligence can cause for clients and their loved ones. They know that no one should have to navigate the claims process alone, and that is why our medical negligence solicitors approach every case with a firm commitment to providing the support clients deserve. You can get in touch with us now for more information on how to start the cardiac claims process:
- Call on 0151 375 9916.
- Contact us online.
What Is Heart Attack Negligence?
Heart attack negligence is when a medical professional fails to provide an acceptable standard of care, such as a surgical error or misinterpretation of test results, causing a patient to experience avoidable pain and suffering.
All medical professionals have a legal obligation to provide the appropriate standard of care to their patients. This obligation, known as a duty of care, applies during treatment, recovery, and admission, and extends to facilities such as hospitals.
Are you unsure about what exactly could constitute negligence? Read the section below and call our advisors for more information about claiming heart attack negligence compensation.
Can I Claim Compensation For Heart Attack Medical Negligence?
You can claim compensation for heart attack medical negligence if you’re able to demonstrate that you or your loved one suffered a heart attack or its effects due to the breach of duty of care by a medical professional.
To sum up, the eligibility for heart attack negligence compensation claims is as follows:
- A medical professional had a duty of care towards you or your loved one.
- By failing to meet the appropriate standard of care, the medical professional breached this duty.
- You suffered from an avoidable heart problem or complication due to this breach.
Can I Make A Medical Negligence Claim Against The NHS?
Yes, you can make a medical negligence claim against the NHS if the care you received was substandard and directly caused you unnecessary pain and suffering.
Your cardiac claim would be submitted through NHS Resolution. This arm’s length body of the Department of Health manages claims on behalf of NHS trusts to which the hospital or other facility where you were treated belongs. Through this mechanism, you don’t need to worry about affecting healthcare services, as the organisation has a separate budget for awarding medical negligence compensation.
Speak to our advisors now for more information on claiming against the NHS.
Common Examples Of Heart Attack Negligence
Some common examples of heart attack negligence include a failure to order ECGs or other tests, misdiagnosis due to inadequate examinations, and delayed diagnosis caused by symptoms being dismissed. There are other examples as well, which we will cover in the list below:
- Misdiagnosis: You report heaviness in your chest and breathlessness to your GP, among other warning signs of a heart attack. However, your GP doesn’t perform a thorough examination and misdiagnoses you with acid reflux. You are sent home with over-the-counter medication and subsequently collapse due to a lack of treatment.
- Delayed diagnosis: You report to the A&E with symptoms, such as tightness in your jaw and nausea. However, staff dismiss your symptoms as anxiety and do not refer you for an ECG or further cardiac tests. This unnecessary delay in diagnosis results in a heart attack that leaves you with brain damage.
- Misinterpretation of tests: A specialist misreads your ECG results and concludes you do not have a cardiac condition. This leaves it undiagnosed until you suffer a heart attack that leaves you with permanent cardiac damage.
- Failure to monitor: After surgery, the medical team fails to adequately monitor your vital signs, including heart rate and blood pressure. Their inaction means they miss the signs of an imminent sudden cardiac arrest, resulting in an attack that leaves you with impaired heart function.
Contact our team now for more examples of heart attack negligence compensation claims.
How Much Compensation Could I Receive For Heart Attack Negligence?
You could receive between £122,850 and £183,190 for heart attack negligence leading to a traumatic chest injury causing heart damage. This range is based on the Judicial College Guidelines (JCG), a text that provides suggested compensation brackets for many forms of harm.
You can look at the table below for some JCG brackets, barring the top row. Please remember that this is only a form of guidance.
| Injury | Notes | Compensation Guidelines |
|---|---|---|
| Multiple Very Severe Injuries and Special Damages | Financial costs could include private medical treatment, rehabilitative, support, and lost earnings. | Up to £1,000,000+ |
| Brain Injury- Very Severe | There may be hardly any response to the environment, sensory impairment and some impact on life expectancy. | £344,150 to £493,000 |
| Brain Injury- Moderate (iii) | There could be fatigue and vestibular symptoms. | £52,550 to £110,720 |
| Epilepsy- Grand Mal Established | The award depends on the overall prognosis and how much the medicine helps. | £124,470 to £183,190 |
| Epilepsy- Petit Mal Established | The award is decided considering factors, such as impact on professional and social life and effects of medication. | £66,920 to £160,360 |
| Chest (a) | There may be serious damage to the heart with permanent and serious scarring, along with significant pain. | £122,850 to £183,190 |
| Chest (b) | There may be impairment in function and permanent damage to the heart, which reduces life expectancy. | £80,240 to £122,850 |
| Chest Injury (c) | There is some chest and lung damage, leading to continuing disability. | £38,210 to £66,920 |
| Psychiatric Damage- Severe (a) | This award depends on the prognosis and extent of medical assistance. | £66,920 to £141,240 |
| Psychiatric Damage- Moderately Severe (b) | This award can include a long-lasting or permanent disability which prevents a return to employment. | £23,270 – £66,920 |
You can go through our list of compensation payouts and have a tailored discussion with one of our helpful advisors.
We pride ourselves
on providing the best service
possible for our clients.
We pride ourselves on providing the best service possible for our clients.
Claiming For Pain, Suffering And Loss Of Amenity
General damages compensate individuals when claiming for pain, suffering, and loss of amenity that results from the harm they experienced unnecessarily due to substandard care. In heart attack negligence compensation claims, a loss of amenity is the non-financial impact of an illness, such as the inability to play sports or participate in social activities.
Your clinical negligence specialist solicitor may calculate general damages with the help of the JCG, which we have already discussed.
Call us now for more information on heart attack negligence compensation claims and how payouts are calculated.
Can I Include Special Damages In My Heart Attack Claim?
Yes, you may be able to include special damages in your heart attack claim if you have incurred financial costs resulting from the avoidable harm caused by negligent care. Some examples of this include:
- Privately funded medical treatment.
- Loss of earnings, including future income and pension contributions.
- Travelling to various medical appointments.
- Counselling and other mental health treatment.
- Physiotherapy and other rehabilitation measures.
- Physical aids and devices, such as a pacemaker and a wheelchair.
- Support from family members, professional carers, or nursing staff.
Get in touch now to learn more about the special damages you could include in your heart attack negligence compensation.
Can I Claim For Fatal Heart Attack Negligence?
Yes, you can claim for fatal heart attack negligence if you have lost a loved one due to them receiving care that fell below minimum expected standards. In the first 6 months, only the deceased’s estate can pursue a claim for the pain, suffering, and financial loss that were experienced prior to death. Under the Law Reform (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1934, the estate can also claim on behalf of the deceased’s relatives, known as dependants.
However, if the estate doesn’t claim for them within that 6-month window, then dependants can pursue compensation under the Fatal Accidents Act 1976. This would be for how a loved one’s passing has impacted them.
For more details on claiming for heart failure or other fatal claims, you can speak to our advisors now.
What Will I Need To Prove Heart Attack Negligence Occurred?
In order to prove heart attack negligence occurred, you will need to make an official complaint, seek medical attention, and collect evidence to support your claim. We will cover these steps, along with some others, in greater detail:
Seeking Medical Attention
If you or your loved one is experiencing any sudden symptoms, such as shortness of breath or chest pain, you must dial 999 or get somebody to take you to the A&E. Alternatively, you must alert the nurses or other medical experts on duty if you or your loved one experiences these symptoms within the hospital. This step is essential to ensure your well-being and prevent any escalation of symptoms.
Collecting Evidence
It is better to start gathering evidence as soon as possible to prove how the healthcare provider’s negligent actions or inaction led to you or your loved one being avoidably harmed. This could include:
- Copies of medical reports, such as ECGs and blood tests.
- Other medical records, such as your GP’s notes, A&E summaries, and prescriptions.
- Contact details of medical staff or anyone else who may have witnessed your treatment or accompanied you to appointments. This information can be passed along to a solicitor, who can gather statements on your behalf.
- Financial records, such as bank statements, to highlight special damages.
Making An Official Complaint
This is an important step to ensure that hospital authorities take some action and prevent your experience of heart attack negligence from being repeated. Additionally, making an official complaint will help to strengthen your claim by contributing towards the existing evidence.
You can submit a written complaint directly to the hospital management or to the NHS. Alternatively, you can submit your feedback to the Care Quality Commission (CQC), England’s independent healthcare regulatory body, or directly contact the Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS).
Noting Down Your Symptoms
It would be helpful for you to note down your symptoms in a written record, such as in a diary. You could mention the following:
- Description of the treatment and the staff on duty.
- Daily pain and symptoms experienced.
- Side effects of medication.
- Nightmares or flashbacks due to mental distress.
Getting Legal Assistance
If you wish to pursue heart attack negligence compensation, connecting with a medical negligence solicitor can be an effective way to navigate the claims process and increase your chances of success. If you work with one of our specialist solicitors, they can help in the following ways:
- Gathering evidence, such as eyewitness statements and a copy of your medical records, to build a strong case.
- Communicating with the NHS and/or the private hospital.
- Calculating your potential heart attack compensation amount.
Starting Your Claim On Time
Most clinical negligence claims have a time limit of 3 years, which applies from the date of knowledge or the date of medical negligence. It is essential to ensure that your medical negligence claim is started on time; otherwise, it could be time-barred, and you may not receive compensation.
You can get in touch with our team now to help in each step of your medical negligence compensation claim, from start to finish.
Time Limits For Heart Attack Negligence Claims
The time limits for heart attack negligence claims are usually 3 years, according to the Limitation Act 1980. As explained above, this may be based on the date of the negligence itself or the point when you become aware of the substandard care.
However, if the patient is a minor or lacks the required mental capacity, the time limit may be suspended, as neither group can claim on their own behalf. Rather, the time limit would only apply if and when a claimant turns 18 or regains sufficient capacity to manage their own affairs.
Contact us now for more information about the limitation period for claiming heart attack negligence compensation.
How Long Do Heart Attack Negligence Claims Take?
Generally, how long heart attack negligence claims take depends on various factors, such as the availability of evidence and the willingness of the healthcare provider to admit liability. Below, we discuss how these and some other factors can influence the duration of the claims process:
- What evidence is required to support the claim, and whether the proof is easily obtainable.
- Whether the healthcare provider accepts liability for the heart attack negligence.
- If there isn’t a clear prognosis due to ongoing treatment following the heart attack.
- How straightforward negotiations are, and whether an agreement over compensation can be reached between the parties.
Reach out now for a tailored discussion on the timeline for heart attack negligence compensation claims.
How No Win No Fee Medical Negligence Solicitors Can Help
Here at JF Law, our No Win No Fee medical negligence solicitors can help clients through the claims process with tailored support, from gathering evidence to handling correspondence with other parties. All of our dedicated solicitors provide this client-focused support under a Conditional Fee Agreement (CFA). This means your solicitor can get started on your case without charging a service fee for their work at the following stages of the claims process:
- Upfront.
- During the claim.
- If you lose.
You will need to pay a success fee to your solicitor if, as the name suggests, you win. This is a small percentage of your compensation, legally capped by legislation.
Through our No Win No Fee agreement, you can benefit from a range of expert, specialised services, including:
- Calculating your potential heart attack negligence compensation amount.
- Collecting evidence in support of your heart attack claim.
- Communicating with the healthcare provider and other parties on your behalf.
- Explaining all the legal terms related to your claim.
- Expertly negotiating with the other party to secure a fair heart attack negligence settlement.
- Preparing all the relevant documents for your case.
- Filing your claim within the correct time limit.
Contact JF Law
For more information on how to claim compensation for heart attack negligence, get in touch with our team now:
- Call on 0151 375 9916.
- Contact us online.
More Information
You can read some of our other guides related to the topic:
- Information on making a sepsis compensation claim.
- Details on claiming diabetes compensation.
- Our guide on making a blood clot compensation claim.
For more information, here are some extra links:
- NHS guide on coronary heart disease.
- Information from the NHS on high cholesterol.
- Guidance on healthy living from HEART UK.
Thank you for reading our guide on heart attack negligence compensation claims.
