Heart attack compensation

Heart attack compensation

For finding answers and getting justice

Heart attacks and their misdiagnosis are potentially life-threatening and can have serious long-term consequences. However, there is a much higher chance of a positive outcome if you are diagnosed early and receive a fast response from a trained medical professional. When doctors fail to diagnose a heart condition, fail to notice a heart attack in time, or act quickly in response, the results can be devastating. You face the risk of disability and, in some cases, losing your life.

It’s vital that medical professionals assess whether patients are at high risk of a heart attack before prescribing any treatment, especially when discussing symptoms. Patients are at greater risk if they have heart disease, coronary artery disease, high blood pressure or other health problems. Doctors should give advice on how to lower the risk of a heart attack, and vigilantly monitor for any symptoms, especially if a patient reports shortness of breath or any other early signs.

If doctors fail to treat a heart condition, miss the symptoms of a heart attack that could otherwise have been prevented, or fail to account for a higher risk of heart attacks in a particular patient and provide treatment, this might be considered medical negligence. If this led to a worse outcome for you, you may be entitled to claim compensation for your injury.

Switalskis' medical negligence solicitors are experts in heart attack negligence compensation claims and can support you throughout this process. We understand the fear that a heart attack brings and the difficulty of dealing with the long-term consequences. We’re ready to provide whatever support we can to secure compensation for the medical negligence you endured.

This isn’t just about money - it’s about pursuing justice and preventing other people from having to face similar situations in the future.

Call Switalskis today on 0800 1380 458, or contact us through the website to discuss the circumstances around your heart attack and start the process of making a claim.

How Switalskis can help you?

Heart attack compensation claims require specialised knowledge, given the medical complexities involved. Our team of dedicated solicitors has extensive experience in dealing with heart attack cases to make sure that you have the best possible representation.

Our approach involves a thorough review of medical records, consultations with cardiology experts, and gathering of all necessary evidence to build a robust case for you. We aim to prove that the negligence you experienced directly led to your heart attack or worsened its outcome.

We understand that every case is unique, and so are the emotional and physical challenges you're facing. That's why we tailor our services to meet your specific needs. From the moment you contact us, we focus on understanding your individual situation, offering personalised advice and solutions.

We know that pursuing a heart attack compensation claim is an emotionally charged process. Our team is here to provide support - we listen, we understand, and we stand by you every step of the way.

Read what our clients had to say about the help they received from Switalskis

How much compensation could I receive?

Heart attack compensation amounts vary according to a range of factors. These include the severity and long-term effects of the injury, the level of responsibility medical professionals have for the incident, and any financial losses related to your medical condition.

Medical negligence compensation awards are divided into two amounts. The first is general damages, and these account for the pain and suffering you experienced as a result of your heart attack. If you were left unable to work or enjoy certain activities, or with a permanent disability, we’ll also take this into account when calculating what you're owed in general damages.

The other type of compensation is special damages, which compensates injured parties for any money they lost due to the incident. This may include: 

  • Lost wages, if you took time off from work to recover or if your ability to work in the future will be affected
  • Medical expenses for any private medical care you needed
  • The cost of any medical devices you now need to rely on, or necessary modifications to your home or vehicle
  • Money you spent on transportation to doctors' appointments and related costs

When we gather evidence and begin building your case, we will ask for receipts related to any such expenses. This can help us to make sure you receive the full amount of compensation you’re owed in terms of both general and special damages.

How does the heart attack negligence claims process work?

The process of making a medical negligence claim is affected by many factors, including the defendant's response to your claim and whether or not they admit liability. This makes it difficult to estimate how long it will take for the claim to reach a successful conclusion. However, the claims process generally unfolds the same way in each case.

Step 1: Initial consultation

Reach out to Switalskis for a free, no obligation initial consultation. During this meeting, we’ll listen to your story, understand your concerns and explain whether we think you have a strong case. If we decide to proceed, we can then discuss the next steps and the available funding options.

Step 2: Establishing your claim

We’ll gather all the relevant information we need to build your case. This will include applying for all of your medical records, including your GP records. We’ll ask you for photographs, receipts and any other documents that may support your claim and take detailed witness statements to tell your version of events. We may arrange for you to be assessed by an independent medical expert to provide an unbiased view of your injuries and future prognosis. The aim will be to prove the negligence was responsible for your injury and consider the potential value of the claim.

Step 3: Notifying the defendant

Once we have supportive evidence, we’ll send a letter of claim to the doctor and/or hospital involved. This will outline details of the claim and state allegations regarding the negligence treatment.

Step 4: Defendant response

The defendant will have four months to investigate the allegations made against them and respond to the letter of claim in a letter of response. This letter will include whether the defendant accepts they are at fault, which is called an admission of liability. If they do not accept fault, they will state this in the letter and this is called a denial of liability. We will advise you of the next steps at this stage.

Step 5: Settlement and compensation

If the defendant or practice has admitted fault, negotiations can start. Our clinical negligence solicitors will negotiate on your behalf, using our expertise and experience to secure the highest possible compensation amount for you. At this stage, we will discuss how much compensation you may receive. This will be calculated to cover the pain and suffering caused by the heart attack, as well as any financial losses or expenses you’ve experienced as a result.

Step 6: Court proceedings (where necessary)

Most claims will be settled through negotiation, without needing to go to court. In the rare instances where the case does go to trial, you can trust us to represent you throughout the process.

There may be obstacles on the way towards your final compensation settlement, but the Switalskis' team will always remain resolute until you receive the justice you deserve.

Is there a time limit for heart attack compensation claims?

Understanding the time constraints for heart attack compensation claims is vital to make sure you don't miss out on the opportunity to seek justice and compensation. Generally, you have three years from the date of the negligence, or from the date you became aware of the negligence, to start a heart attack compensation claim. This is known as the limitation period.

There are a few exceptions to this:

  • Children: if the person who suffered the negligence is under 18 at the time, the three-year period doesn’t start until their 18th birthday. This means they have until they turn 21 to start legal proceedings.
  • Mental capacity: if the person who suffered the negligence lacks the mental capacity to make their own decisions, there may be no time limit to making a claim on their behalf.
  • Fatal cases: if you’re claiming on behalf of a deceased family member who passed away due to complications arising from negligence relating to a heart attack, the claim must be made within three years of the date of death, or the date of knowledge that negligent treatment caused their death.

In some rare cases, the courts may decide to extend the limitation period. However, relying on this is risky, as this is only ever done at the discretion of the courts.

Starting the process sooner rather than later means all evidence is fresh and readily available, and means you won't run the risk of missing a deadline. If you're uncertain about whether you're within the time limit or if you believe you have exceptional circumstances, speak to the medical negligence team at Switalskis for guidance.

How are heart attack compensation claims funded?

Navigating the financial aspects of a heart attack compensation claim can be daunting, but Switalskis aims to make sure the process is transparent and accessible so that nobody is ever put off seeking justice due to the costs.

Here's a breakdown of the funding options available:

  • No win, no fee agreement: also known as a conditional fee agreement (CFAs), this is the most common way to fund a heart attack compensation claim. Under a no win, no fee agreement, you won’t need to pay anything if your claim is unsuccessful. Our costs are written off. If you win your case, a percentage of your compensation will be used to cover our fees. This option allows you to pursue your claim without any financial risk, and we’ll discuss all of the potential costs with you upfront to avoid any surprises.
  • Legal expenses insurance: we will begin an insurance policy to cover you for the out-of-pocket costs we experience during the investigation. We have our own insurance provider that we use. However, you may have legal expenses cover as part of your home or car insurance policy, which can also be used to fund your claim. We’ll assist you in understanding your policy and liaise with your insurer.
  • Legal aid: in very rare cases, Legal Aid may be available for clinical negligence claims, although it’s usually reserved for specific situations. Our team can guide you on whether you might be eligible.

Our team is here to guide you through your funding options and help you pick an option that suits your needs and circumstances.

Heart attacks are medically known as myocardial infarctions. Given that they are potentially life-threatening and that fast action can significantly improve outcomes, doctors should always be alert to the common symptoms - especially in high-risk patients. These include:

  • Chest pain or discomfort: this is the most common symptom. It might feel like pressure, squeezing, fullness, or pain in the centre of the chest. The discomfort can be mild or severe, and it might come and go or remain constant.
  • Pain in other areas: pain can spread to the shoulders, arms, back, neck, teeth, or jaw. Often, the pain might be more severe in these other areas than in the chest.
  • Shortness of breath: this can occur with or without chest pain and might be the earliest sign of an impending attack.
  • Cold sweat: breaking out in a cold sweat for no apparent reason can be a symptom.
  • Nausea, vomiting, or indigestion: these symptoms can sometimes be mistaken for other conditions, such as gastroenteritis. For this reason, it’s especially important for healthcare professionals to monitor patients for other symptoms.
  • Lightheadedness or dizziness: some people might feel faint or as if they're going to pass out before experiencing a heart attack.
  • Fatigue: unexpected and unexplained fatigue, especially in women, can sometimes be a sign of an impending heart attack.
  • Palpitations: a feeling like the heart is racing or fluttering.
  • Anxiety: a sense of extreme anxiety can sometimes accompany a heart attack.

If you reported these symptoms and your doctor failed to act or didn’t notice that you were having a heart attack even though the signs were there, this may be medical negligence that would entitle you to compensation.

Contact us today and let's start your journey towards recovery together. Call us today on 0800 1380 458,or get in touch via our form.

Our heart attack claims specialists

Photo of Suzanne Munroe
Suzanne MunroeDirector and Solicitor
Photo of Sarah Walker
Sarah WalkerDirector and Solicitor
Photo of Charlotte Reeves
Charlotte ReevesDirector and Solicitor
Photo of Kay Barnes
Kay BarnesDirector and Solicitor
Photo of David Thomas
David ThomasDirector and Chartered Legal Executive
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Why Switalskis?

Switalskis' experienced team of medical negligence solicitors are here to support you throughout the process of making a compensation claim. We have a strong reputation for excellence in heart attack compensation claims, and team members accredited by the Law Society and AvMA (Action Against Medical Accidents) for their expertise and the quality of their service.

You can often avoid the most serious effects of heart attacks when they’re caught and dealt with early. Heart attack negligence compensation claims are often the best way to respond when failures in care prevent this from happening and cause your health to worsen.

To make it as easy as possible for you to claim medical negligence heart attack compensation, Switalskis promises to deliver the following:

Clarity in complexity

A medical negligence compensation claim can unfold in a number of different ways, many of which are outside of your control, and we are committed to staying in regular communication so you can always monitor the progress of your case. We'll break down any legal jargon or terminology and answer any questions you have, so you'll always know what's happening.

Empathy at every step

A heart attack can result in emotional stress, physical discomfort and other long-term consequences. Our team understands how difficult this can be, and that pursuing a compensation claim can make it worse unless you have the right support. Switalskis will always be by your side to provide what you need and make sure that your fight for justice makes your life easier - not more difficult.

Expertise you can trust

The expert medical negligence solicitors at Switalskis have many years of combined experience in making claims of this nature, and a proven track record of success. Our experience means we can prepare for a variety of outcomes and give you the confidence that you have the best possible chance of success.

Championing your rights

You have a right to claim compensation if you've suffered a heart attack as a result of clinical negligence, and our expert solicitors are committed to upholding this right. This can help to make sure that other people do not suffer under similar circumstances, and can empower you to move on with your life.

We can support you in the following medical negligence situations

Find out how Switalskis can help you

If you experienced a heart attack because of negligent treatment by a medical professional, you may be eligible to claim compensation. Switalskis has vast experience with heart attacks and we'll take the time to understand what happened to you, and how it's affected your life. In this way, we can make sure we're always doing as much as we can to help you achieve justice.

To learn how much you could be owed and get the process started, call Switalskis today on 0800 138 0458 Alternatively, contact us through the website to find out more.

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