Lake Charles Misdiagnosis Of Heart Attack Or Stroke Lawyer

Last updated on December 10, 2025

Receiving an inaccurate diagnosis, a delayed diagnosis or even a missed diagnosis for a stroke or heart attack is a nightmare scenario. It is a shocking betrayal of trust that can lead to severe financial strain.

You deserve accountability. Louisiana medical malpractice attorney Lee M. Schwalben is here for you. At Lee M. Schwalben, M.D., J.D., LLC, he and his team fight for clients in Lake Charles and the surrounding communities. As a former practicing doctor, Mr. Schwalben is a fierce legal advocate who also has a deep understanding of medicine. He is ready to help you secure financial recovery and prevent a similar tragedy from happening to others.

All About Misdiagnosis Of Heart Attack Or Stroke Claims

A heart attack, known medically as a myocardial infarction, occurs due to a blockage of blood to the heart. A stroke happens when blood flow to the brain is interrupted. Any delay in diagnosis can cause irreversible brain damage or severe heart muscle damage.

Medical standard of care refers to the level of skill that a reasonably prudent health care provider would use. Failing to meet this standard is the basis of a medical malpractice claim. You have the right to seek compensation for their error.

Common Reasons For Physician Misdiagnosis Of Heart Attacks And Stroke

Doctors may fail to connect subtle symptoms to a serious cardiovascular event. They may focus on a less serious explanation, causing a delayed stroke diagnosis or a delayed heart attack diagnosis. Some reasons for a misdiagnosis include:

• Atypical heart attack symptoms: Some patients show stomach pain, overwhelming fatigue or weakness instead of classic chest pain.
• Transient ischemic attack (TIA) misdiagnosis: A TIA is a mini-stroke. Doctors may dismiss TIA symptoms as a migraine, vertigo or an inner ear problem.
• Failure to order CT scan or troponin tests: A CT scan rules out bleeding in the brain; troponin blood tests detect damage to the heart muscle. Failing to order these tests is a breach of protocol.
• EKG misinterpretation: Reading an EKG incorrectly can lead to a mistaken diagnosis or dismissal.
• Differential diagnosis error: Distinguishing a specific disease from others is called differential diagnosis. Error occurs when a physician fails to distinguish a specific disease from others.

These mistakes are just a few common examples of medical malpractice claims.

What Are The Signs of A Misdiagnosed Cardiac Event?

You may suspect a misdiagnosis if your symptoms worsened after being discharged. Signs that your original medical issue was a stroke or a heart attack include:

• You had severe symptoms but received a diagnosis of heartburn, anxiety or indigestion.
• The doctor failed to order appropriate diagnostic tests.
• You returned to the hospital shortly after your initial visit and received a correct diagnosis.
• You were diagnosed with a stroke, but the initial physician dismissed stroke misdiagnosis symptoms.
• The physician failed to consider your preexisting factors.

If you recognize any of these red flags, contact an experienced Louisiana medical malpractice attorney immediately.

How Do Emergency Rooms Fail To Meet The Standard Of Care In Diagnosing A Cardiac Event Or Stroke?

Medical mistakes often happen under the chaotic pressure of an emergency room. Emergency room misdiagnosis of heart attack cases is surprisingly common. Common failures include:

• Delaying tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) administration
• Failing to take a proper patient history
• Discharging a patient with severe, unresolved symptoms
• Ignoring signs of a possible myocardial infarction
• Misreading or failing to review diagnostic images or test results

These failures often demonstrate medical negligence on the part of a physician, nurse or health care facility. They may be grounds for a missed diagnosis lawsuit.

What Are The Four Elements For A Misdiagnosis Medical Malpractice Claim In Louisiana?

To prove medical negligence, you have to meet a high burden of proof. These are the four essential elements of your claim:

1. The health care provider had a professional obligation to you.
2. The health care provider did not act as a reasonably competent provider would have.
3. The breach of duty directly caused your injury.
4. You suffered actual harm and have physical injury, medical bills, or pain and suffering as a result.

Remember the statute of limitations or the time limit for filing a lawsuit. In Louisiana, you generally have one year from the date of the alleged act of negligence or one year from the date you discover the problem.

Why Hire Lee M. Schwalben For Your Misdiagnosis Claim?

The medical malpractice claims process is incredibly complex. You deserve a medical malpractice lawyer who can match the health care institution’s knowledge and power.

Mr. Schwalben brings the perspective of both a medical professional and a seasoned personal injury attorney. He has firsthand knowledge of hospital protocols, testing procedures and proper diagnostic methods. This training allows him to effectively identify when a health care provider breached the duty of care. Additionally, he has a roster of medical experts with whom he can coordinate. In his renowned career, he has achieved a long list of successful results in pretrial settlements and in court.

Get Justice With A Louisiana Medical Malpractice Attorney

Let Lee M. Schwalben, M.D., J.D., LLC, focus on holding the negligent parties accountable. He works on a contingency fee basis; you owe nothing unless he recovers compensation. To schedule your free consultation, call Mr. Schwalben at 337-557-8377 or send him an email.