Atrial fibrillation, also known as a fib, is a heart condition which effects approximately 1 in 22 adults in the United States. But when we think of dangerous misdiagnosis cases, we may not think of a fib. However, anytime a healthcare provider fails to diagnose any condition, it could be Oregon medical malpractice. This particularly includes A-Fib, which is a condition of the heart. Undiagnosed cases of A-Fib can result in serious and permanent damage to a person’s heart. Not only can this be potentially damaging, but it could cause or contribute to a person’s wrongful death. This means that the misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis of A-Fib could be disastrous. Thus, an Oregon A-Fib medical malpractice lawyer in Portland or Bend can help you and your family recover compensation for your injuries.
Here at Kuhlman Law, our Oregon Atrial Fibrillation medical malpractice lawyers can help you and your family protect your rights to compensation. To learn how you can recover compensation under Oregon law for A-Fib misdiagnoses, delayed diagnoses, or when A-Fib is undiagnosed, call attorney Chris Kuhlman to schedule a free consultation today.
Atrial fibrillation, or A-Fib, is an irregular heartbeat which affects all four chambers of your heart. These chambers are supposed to beat in unison to pump oxygenated blood into and through your heart to be re-distributed throughout your body. However, A-Fib is a condition which affects these four chambers by making them beat out of unison. This irregular pattern results in the heart fluttering, shaking, skipping a beat, stop beating, beating faster, or completely erratically beating.
Because of this, blood does not flow properly through the heart. This creates an oxygen deprivation for some parts of the body. It could also result in clots of blood forming in the heart. As a result, the heart has to pump harder and faster to distribute oxygen throughout the body. It could also distribute those dangerous blood clots which could cause a blockage.
By itself, A-Fib does not commonly cause death. However, untreated or mistreated A-Fib can absolutely contribute to the death of a person. In fact, the CDC reports that A-fib is a cause or contribution to an estimated 130,000 deaths each yearin the United States. This is why a healthcare provider needs to timely and accurately identify, treat, and monitor a patient with A-Fib. And this is why victims of a fib misdiagnosis cases should contact an experienced Oregon A-fib medical malpractice lawyer like attorney Chris Kuhlman in Bend and Portland, Oregon.
There are many different types of A-fib that could be the subject of medical malpractice in an Oregon case. These different types require a different standard of care in treating, identifying, and caring for patients – those a different standard of proof may be required for your lawyer to prove.
The most common types include the following:
Paroxysmal atrial fibrillation comes and goes, typically lasting less than seven days. Episodes may last from seconds to days before stopping on their own. Healthcare providers who dismiss intermittent symptoms or fail to order proper monitoring during these episodes may be liable for medical malpractice if their negligence leads to patient harm.
Persistent atrial fibrillation lasts longer than seven days and often requires medical intervention to restore normal heart rhythm. When healthcare providers fail to recognize the persistent nature of symptoms or delay treatment, patients may suffer preventable complications including stroke and heart failure.
This type continues for more than twelve months despite attempts at treatment. Medical professionals who abandon treatment efforts prematurely or fail to refer patients to specialists may face liability for resulting damages.
In permanent atrial fibrillation, the irregular heart rhythm cannot be restored to normal. Healthcare providers must properly manage this condition to prevent complications. Failure to provide appropriate long-term management constitutes negligence.
Healthcare providers in Oregon must recognize the classic symptoms of atrial fibrillation. These include heart palpitations, rapid or irregular heartbeat, chest pain or pressure, shortness of breath, fatigue and weakness, dizziness or lightheadedness, and reduced ability to exercise. When patients present with these symptoms, medical professionals have a duty to investigate potential cardiac causes, including A-Fib.
Beyond primary symptoms, healthcare providers should also investigate when patients report confusion or cognitive difficulties, anxiety related to heart sensations, swelling in legs or feet, frequent urination, and fainting or near-fainting episodes. Dismissing these symptoms without proper cardiac evaluation may constitute medical negligence that need the help of an Oregon a-fib medical malpractice lawyer.
There are many reasons why A-Fib is misdiagnosed. Our Oregon A-Fib medical malpractice lawyers know that many of these reasons are due to reckless, careless, and downright negligent care of a healthcare provider. Damage from A-Fib can take years to form which means many of missed opportunities for healthcare providers to timely and aggressively treat A-fib. Unfortunately, many healthcare providers create multiple errors and mistakes when treating patients who may have A-Fib which results in serious personal injuries that Kuhlman Law could help recover for you.
The most common causes of misdiagnosing A-Fib due to Oregon medical malpractice include the following:
Healthcare facilities in Oregon may contribute to A-Fib misdiagnosis through inadequate staffing levels, poor communication between departments, lack of proper monitoring equipment, insufficient training programs, and failure to implement proper diagnostic protocols. These institutional failures often create environments where medical errors flourish.
Competent healthcare providers should utilize various diagnostic tools to detect atrial fibrillation. The electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) remains the gold standard for diagnosing A-Fib. This test records the electrical activity of the heart and can clearly show irregular heart rhythms. Holter monitors provide continuous heart monitoring over 24-48 hours, capturing intermittent episodes that might be missed during a brief office visit.
Event recorders allow patients to record their heart rhythm when experiencing symptoms over several weeks. Echocardiograms use ultrasound to visualize heart structure and function, identifying underlying conditions that may cause A-Fib. Blood tests can reveal thyroid problems or other conditions contributing to irregular heart rhythms. Stress tests evaluate heart function during physical activity, potentially revealing exercise-induced A-Fib.
When healthcare providers fail to order these standard tests despite patient symptoms suggesting A-Fib, they may be liable for medical malpractice. Oregon law requires medical professionals to meet the standard of care, which includes ordering appropriate diagnostic tests when symptoms warrant investigation.
A-Fib itself is not the cause of death, rather it contributes to many different possible mechanisms to cause permanent damage or wrongful death of a patient. The dangers of A-Fib most obviously include overworking a patient’s heart. This is because of the irregular heartbeats which force the heart to work faster and harder to get the same amount of oxygenated blood around the body. As a result, the heart can damage itself and “exhaust” itself into a condition known as heart failure. A patient with heart failure is in trouble because it usually requires surgical intervention and even a heart transplant. However, this is not always possible because a patient needs to be a candidate for the transplant and there must be a matching donor.
Delayed diagnosis of atrial fibrillation can lead to progressive heart damage that becomes irreversible over time. The longer A-Fib goes untreated, the more difficult it becomes to restore normal heart rhythm. Chronic A-Fib causes structural changes to the heart, including enlargement of the atria and weakening of heart muscle tissue. These changes increase the risk of permanent disability and reduce overall life expectancy.
In addition, undiagnosed A-Fib creates enhanced risks for patients for other activities or surgeries. If the heart is not properly functioning, it could result in unexpected complications during surgery with perfusion. Athletes may also not be able to sustain themselves if their heart is not functioning, which could cause serious complications during physical exercise including a heart attack.
Atrial fibrillation increases stroke risk by five times compared to people without the condition. When the heart’s upper chambers do not contract effectively, blood can pool and form clots. These clots can travel to the brain, blocking blood flow and causing an ischemic stroke. Healthcare providers who fail to assess stroke risk in A-Fib patients or prescribe appropriate anticoagulation therapy may be liable for resulting strokes or embolic episodes such as an embolic storm in the bowels resulting in bowel ischemia.
Most strokes related to A-Fib are preventable with proper medical management. Anticoagulant medications can reduce stroke risk by up to 70 percent in appropriate candidates. Healthcare providers must assess each patient’s stroke risk using validated tools and prescribe preventive treatments accordingly. Failure to do so constitutes a breach of the standard of care.
Proper A-Fib treatment begins with appropriate medication selection. Rate control medications slow the heart rate during A-Fib episodes. Rhythm control medications attempt to restore and maintain normal heart rhythm. Anticoagulants prevent blood clot formation and reduce stroke risk. Healthcare providers must carefully select medications based on patient-specific factors and monitor for effectiveness and side effects.
When medications prove insufficient, procedural interventions become necessary. Electrical cardioversion uses controlled electrical shocks to restore normal heart rhythm. Catheter ablation destroys small areas of heart tissue causing irregular electrical signals. The maze procedure creates scar tissue patterns that redirect electrical impulses. Healthcare providers who fail to offer or properly perform these procedures when indicated may face malpractice claims.
Comprehensive A-Fib management includes lifestyle counseling and regular monitoring. Patients should receive guidance on weight management, alcohol limitation, stress reduction, and sleep apnea treatment. Regular follow-up appointments ensure treatment effectiveness and allow for timely adjustments.
In order to recover compensation for a misdiagnosed or missed diagnosed a fib case resulting in injuries in Oregon, our Portland and Bend a-fib medical malpractice lawyer will need to prove the following for victims and their families:
Oregon medical malpractice law requires healthcare providers to meet the standard of care expected of reasonably prudent professionals in similar circumstances. For A-Fib cases, this means providers must recognize symptoms, order appropriate tests, interpret results correctly, and implement timely treatment. Expert testimony typically establishes what a competent provider would have done under similar circumstances.
To prove medical malpractice, patients must demonstrate that their healthcare provider breached the duty of care. This involves showing that the provider’s actions or inactions fell below accepted medical standards. Documentation of missed appointments, ignored symptoms, delayed referrals, or improper treatment helps establish breach of duty.
Patients must prove that the healthcare provider’s negligence directly caused their injuries. This requires showing that timely and proper diagnosis would have prevented or minimized harm. Damages may include medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and diminished quality of life. This is often referred to as just causation, but also if a defendant was the proximate cause or a substantial factor in causing the victim’s damages.
Oregon law imposes strict time limits for filing medical malpractice claims. Generally, patients have two years from the date they discovered or should have discovered the injury to file a lawsuit. However, no claim may be filed more than five years after the negligent act, regardless of when the injury was discovered. But these timeframes are subject to change, and could be even lower for certain defendants like municipal, state or federal facilities. They could also be longer for child victims or those with disabilities. It is always best practice to speak with an experienced Oregon a-fib medical malpractice lawyer in Portland or Bend.
Certain circumstances may extend these deadlines. If fraudulent concealment prevented discovery of malpractice, the statute of limitations may be extended. For minors, the statute typically does not begin running until they reach age 18. Patients with mental incapacitation may also receive extensions.
There are many possible damages, which is defined as the relief that a court could award to a party in a lawsuit. The most common types of damages in an Oregon a-fib medical malpractice case that attorney Chris Kuhlman could recover for you include the following:
Economic damages compensate for financial losses resulting from medical malpractice. These include past and future medical expenses, rehabilitation costs, lost wages and earning capacity, home modifications necessitated by disability, and costs of long-term care or assistance.
Non-economic damages address the human cost of medical malpractice. Patients may recover compensation for pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, permanent disability or disfigurement, and loss of consortium for spouses.
When A-Fib misdiagnosis results in death, surviving family members may pursue wrongful death claims. These claims seek compensation for funeral and burial expenses, lost financial support, loss of companionship and guidance, and emotional suffering of survivors.
Hiring a personal injury law firm like Kuhlman Law can really help you and your family recover compensation for a serious medical malpractice claim like a-fib. Some of the steps that our compassionate and experienced Oregon a-fib medical malpractice lawyer and legal team can take for you include the following:
Strong medical malpractice cases require comprehensive evidence. Medical records document the timeline of symptoms, tests, and treatments. Expert witness testimony establishes the standard of care and identifies breaches. Patient diaries or logs can demonstrate ongoing symptoms and their impact on daily life. Witness statements from family members corroborate the patient’s experience.
Medical experts play crucial roles in A-Fib malpractice cases. Cardiologists explain proper diagnostic and treatment protocols. Emergency medicine physicians address appropriate emergency department care. Primary care physicians discuss initial evaluation responsibilities. These experts help juries understand complex medical issues and identify negligent care.
Our attorneys understand the intricate medical and legal issues involved in A-Fib malpractice cases. We work with leading cardiac experts to build compelling cases demonstrating how healthcare providers failed to meet professional standards. Our track record includes successful resolution of complex cardiac malpractice claims throughout Oregon.
We recognize that A-Fib misdiagnosis affects every aspect of our clients’ lives. Our comprehensive approach addresses immediate medical needs while pursuing maximum compensation for long-term consequences. We handle all aspects of the legal process, allowing clients to focus on their health and recovery.
If you or a loved one suffered harm due to misdiagnosed, delayed diagnosis, or untreated atrial fibrillation in Oregon, time is critical. Evidence can disappear, witnesses’ memories fade, and statutory deadlines approach quickly. Contact our Oregon A-Fib medical malpractice lawyers today for a confidential consultation. We will review your medical records, consult with cardiac experts, and determine whether you have grounds for a medical malpractice claim.
Do not let medical negligence go unchallenged. Healthcare providers must be held accountable when their failures cause preventable harm. Our experienced legal team fights tirelessly to secure justice and compensation for victims of A-Fib medical malpractice throughout Oregon. Call now to learn how we can help you recover the compensation you deserve and prevent similar negligence from harming other patients in the future.
If you or a loved one have been seriously injured or killed as a result of medical malpractice contact the Oregon Medical Malpractice Lawyers at Kuhlman Law at our number below or fill out the intake form. We offer a free initial case evaluation and handle cases on a contingency fee which means that you pay no money unless we recover.
We handle cases throughout the state including Bend and Portland Oregon, Redmond, Central Oregon, Multnomah County, Deschutes County, Salem, Eugene, Corvallis, Lane County, Medford, Gresham, Albany, Medford, Beaverton, Umatilla, Pendleton, and Hillsboro.
We also have an office in Minneapolis, Minnesota and take medical malpractice cases throughout the Twin Cities, including St. Paul, Hennepin County, Ramsey County, Dakota County, Washington County, Anoka County, Scott County, Blaine, Stillwater, and Saint Paul Minnesota.
Please act quickly, there is a limited time (Statute of Limitations) in which you can bring a claim under the law.
When we place our trust in healthcare professionals, we expect competent and compassionate care. But sometimes, preventable mistakes happen, and the consequences can be life-altering.
If you or a loved one suffered from any type of infection or sepsis in a nursing home or long-term care facility, call our Oregon Nursing Home Infection Lawyer.
As patients in Minnesota, we put great trust in our medical professionals, and with good reason. Our healthcare system is one of the finest in
Portland Medical Malpractice Lawyer Explains Failure to Treat a Stroke in Oregon A Portland medical malpractice lawyer can help you handle many different types of
Hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy, or HIE, is a type of brain damage in babies caused by the lack of oxygen to their brain before, during, or shortly
Harmed by a Healthcare Provider? Learn How to Find the Best Medical Malpractice Lawyer Near Me in Oregon for Your Injuries and Type of Case
For more information on Medical Malpractice and Nursing Home Abuse, please also visit – StoppingMedicalMistakes.com