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$50+ Million Recovered Since 2015

$7.7 Million – Phila. Pulmonary Embolism Misdiagnosis
$6.3 Million – Montgomery Co. Stroke Misdiagnosis by Family Doctor
$2 Million – Chester Co. Stroke Misdiagnosis by Hospital

Rated for Medical Malpractice & Personal Injury Law Since 2016

Morris Wilson Best Law Firms US News World Report 2023

Best Law Firm Rated for Medical Malpractice and Personal Injury Law Since 2016

Firm Partner Seth Wilson Gives Media Interview

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Offices in Philadelphia & Conshohocken, PA

    Pulmonary Embolism, Misdiagnosis & Delay in Treatment

    Pulmonary embolism (a blood clot in the lungs) is often life-threatening and is misdiagnosed in about 1 in 3 cases. When left undiagnosed and untreated, patients with pulmonary embolism will not survive.

    Typically, pulmonary embolism (PE) occurs when a blood clot travels to the lung from the legs, a condition known as deep vein thrombosis (DVT). While PE can occur due to a blood clot from other parts of the body, DVT is the most common cause. Other, less common causes include amniotic fluid embolus or clots from an IV catheter.

    Risk factors for PE include:

    • medications, especially hormone medications like birth control pills
    • medical conditions like blood clotting disorders, heart disease or cancer
    • risk factors like smoking, pregnancy, etc.
    • recent surgery
    • long periods of immobility

    Pulmonary embolism is higher in patients with multiple risk factors. For example, a patient with a medical condition like heart disease or cancer who has surgery requiring a lengthy period of immobility is at risk for PE. Treating doctors and/or a hospital may be held liable if the patient dies or suffers serious injury due to undiagnosed pulmonary embolism.

    Our Pennsylvania medical malpractice lawyers accept pulmonary embolism misdiagnosis cases throughout Pennsylvania, including Philadelphia and the surrounding counties including Delaware County, Montgomery County, etc. We offer FREE CONSULTATIONS for all medical malpractice and injury matters. Contact us now or call (610) 825-0500.

    Amended Law Helps Patients File Pennsylvania Medical Malpractice Claims, Effective January 1, 2023

    As of January 1, 2023, a change to Pennsylvania's Rules of Civil Procedure will give patients the ability to choose where to file their medical malpractice lawsuits. Previously, patients were required to file medical malpractice claims in the county where the negligent conduct occurred. In January, cases may be filed in any county where 1. the defendant can be served (i.e., does business, has an office, etc.), 2. the negligent conduct took place, or 3. a relevant transaction or event took place.

    Pulmonary Embolism Misdiagnosis Case Synopsis: Our medical malpractice law firm obtained a $7+ million trial verdict against a Philadelphia hospital after emergency room doctors failed to diagnose the pulmonary embolism. The 50 year old patient died as a result.

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    Medical malpractice cases accepted across Pennsylvania, including Philadelphia County, Montgomery County, Delaware County, Chester County and Bucks County. Our offices are located in Conshohocken, PA (Montgomery County) and Philadelphia, PA. (610) 825-0500

    Misdiagnosis of PE in Patients with Lung Diseases & Disorders

    Symptoms of pulmonary embolism vary, but the most common symptoms include shortness of breath, fatigue, dizziness, low blood pressure, cough, and chest pain.

    One of the reasons PE is often misdiagnosed is that these symptoms overlap other lung conditions, like pneumonia or asthma. In fact, patients with PE are often misdiagnosed with pneumonia or asthma and sent home from the hospital or doctor’s office.

    Misdiagnosis of PE at Hospitals or Emergency Rooms

    In Pennsylvania hospitals or emergency rooms, misdiagnosis of pulmonary embolism often occurs due to the following:

    • failure to obtain a complete medical history
    • failure to perform a complete physical exam
    • failure to monitor a patient
    • failure to order lab or diagnostic tests (such as a D-dimer test, venous ultrasound, computed tomography angiogram, etc.)
    • failure to obtain a timely pulmonary or cardiology consult
    • staffing inadequacies which lead to mistakes

    Example: A patient who had recent surgery goes to the ER after passing out at home. He complains of chest pain and low blood pressure. Chest x-ray shows pneumonia. He is given antibiotics and released. The ER staff did not get a complete patient history including the recent surgery. Had the ER doctor known about the prior surgery, the patient would have been assessed for pulmonary embolism.

    Misdiagnosis of pulmonary embolism can also occur at a doctor or specialist’s office. For example, a patient who recently gave birth by c-section sees her family doctor complaining of chest pain and shortness of breath. The patient also has pain in one leg. The family doctor fails to consider pulmonary embolism and diagnoses bronchitis. The patient returns home and dies several days later.

    Here, the family doctor may be liable for failing to diagnose the PE, and the patient’s ob-gyn or hospital where she delivered may be liable for failing to inform the patient when she was discharged about the risk and symptoms of PE.

    Timely Treatment is Critical

    In hospital and emergency rooms, patients with pulmonary embolism must receive timely treatment with blood-thinner medications, thrombolytic therapy, and in some cases, surgical intervention. Patients who present with syncope (loss of consciousness or passing out), low blood pressure, bradycardia (slowed heart rate), or poor oxygenation typically require immediate admission to intensive care units. Mortality is often high in these patients.

    Compensation for Misdiagnosis of Pulmonary Embolism

    Patients and surviving family members may have legal rights to compensation by filing a medical malpractice lawsuit against the hospital, doctors and specialists. Compensation claims often include medical bills, loss of wages from disability, and pain and suffering. In cases of death, surviving family members may file wrongful death and survival actions to recover for the loss of their loved one.

    Related Article: Pennsylvania Court Gives Patients More Time to Sue in Medical Malpractice Lawsuits [Summary: As of October 2019, Pennsylvania’s outer or maximum 7 year statute of limitations law for medical malpractice lawsuits is now unconstitutional. This means patients and their families have more time to file medical malpractice lawsuits in especially complex cases, like failure to diagnose cancer.]

      Medical Malpractice Lawyers – Pulmonary Embolism Misdiagnosis or Treatment Delay

      Our Pennsylvania medical malpractice law firm specializes in complex medical malpractice claims, including heart attack, stroke, pulmonary embolism, and misdiagnosis of cancer. We’ve been rated as Best Law Firm by U.S. News & World Report since 2016 in the area of medical malpractice

      We’ve gone up against some of the biggest hospitals in Pennsylvania and won millions of dollars for our clients. Contact our office for a free consultation or call (610) 825-0500.

      Last updated: March 7, 2023

       

      We Accept Medical Malpractice Cases Against Hospitals in the Philadelphia Area

      Cases Also Accepted Across Pennsylvania

      Philadelphia County

      Chestnut Hill Hospital

      Einstein Medical

      Hahnemann Hospital

      Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania

      Jeanes Hospital

      Methodist Hospital

      Pennsylvania Hospital

      Roxborough Memorial Hospital

      Temple University Hospital

      Thomas Jefferson University Hospital

      Delaware County

      Crozer-Chester Medical Center (Upland)

      Delaware County Memorial Hospital (Drexel Hill, Upper Darby)

      Springfield Hospital (Springfield)

      Taylor Hospital (Ridley)

      Montgomery County

      Abington Hospital (Abington, Lansdale)

      Bryn Mawr Hospital (Bryn Mawr)

      Einstein Medical (East Norriton, Elkins Park)

      Holy Redeemer Hospital (Meadowbrook)

      Lankenau Hospital (Wynnewood)

      Suburban Community Hospital (Norristown)

      Children's Hospitals

      Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (Phila., West Chester, East Norriton, Meadowbrook, Doylestown, Langhorne, Sellersville, etc.)

      St. Christopher's Hospital for Children

      Shriner's Hospitals for Children

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