Do i have a malpractice case?

January 14, 2015

Question

In early October 2014 I went to my Dr with severe pain in right arm. I was seen by his PA. When asked, I told her I was a smoker and heart attacks were rampant in both sides of my family. Without doing any tests whatsoever she prescribed me 1000mg of naproxin. After some research it was clear that naproxin can cause clots and should not be prescribed to people that are a high risk for heart attack. On Nov 14th, after taking the naproxin for about a month I had a "widowmaker" heart attack. Due to some excellent care, i survived, but am damaged now. Always tired, cant work. Would giving me a script that might have helped the heart attack happen, or not testing me at all mean I have a case?

Answer

With a little research, you might find that Naproxen is the preferred non-steroid anti-inflammatory for patients with cardiac risk, so you probably wouldn't prevail on the 'wrong prescription' theory. You don't provide your age, or medical history, but 4 weeks following the office visit, to have a blockage in the left anterior descending artery suggests you were at a much higher risk than was appreciated by the physician at your visit. Was an angiogram suggested? Any other tests? Were you waiting for the results of tests in this time? Whether you have a case or not depends on what's in your chart. You'd have to obtain your records from this doctor and review them with a med mal attorney to determine if there was failure to work-up your complaints. Best of luck.


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