Pittsburgh
Failure to Diagnose Heart Attack Attorney

A missed heart attack is not a minor error. It is a catastrophic failure, one that can cause permanent heart damage, disability, or death. When a doctor, emergency room, or hospital failed to recognize the signs of your heart attack, you may be entitled to significant compensation.

At Ogg, Murphy & Perkosky, P.C., our attorneys have been handling medical malpractice cases in Pennsylvania since 1981. We have recovered over $250 million for injured clients across Western Pennsylvania.

If you or someone you love was harmed by a missed or delayed heart attack diagnosis in Pittsburgh or Allegheny County, contact us or call us today for a free consultation at (412) 471-8500. You pay nothing unless we recover for you.

Call Our Attorneys: (412) 471-8500

Who Is Liable if My Heart Attack Was Missed or Misdiagnosed?

A heart attack cuts off blood flow to the heart, and every minute without treatment causes more damage. When an emergency room team, physician, or cardiologist misses the warning signs, skips diagnostic testing, or sends a patient home with the wrong diagnosis, that failure may constitute medical malpractice under Pennsylvania law.

Who Are The Liable Parties?

The treating physician, ER team, cardiologist, and hospital itself can each share responsibility. Heart attacks are frequently misdiagnosed because symptoms like jaw pain, nausea, shoulder pain, and fatigue are often mistaken for heartburn, anxiety, or panic attacks, particularly in women and younger patients. This is a well-documented and preventable failure.

The damages can be life-changing

Pennsylvania law allows malpractice victims to recover compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and permanent disability. In wrongful death cases, surviving family members may also have a separate claim.

You don’t need to determine whether what happened rises to the level of malpractice. That’s our job. Call Ogg, Murphy & Perkosky, P.C. at (412) 471-8500 for a free consultation.

What Are My Rights After a Failure to Diagnose Heart Attack?

A missed heart attack diagnosis can be fatal. If you or a family member were harmed, Pennsylvania law gives you the right to seek compensation, but the window to act is limited.

The filing deadline is strict

Under 42 Pa. C.S. Section 5524, you have two years from the date of injury or discovery to file. In wrongful death cases, that clock typically runs from the date of death. There are no extensions for waiting too long to consult an attorney.

A Certificate of Merit must be filed within 60 days

Under Rule of Civil Procedure 1042.3, a qualified medical professional must attest in writing that the standard of care was breached before your case can proceed. Missing this step can result in dismissal. We handle it as a matter of course.

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A defense argument that you delayed follow-up care won't end your claim

Pennsylvania’s comparative negligence law, 42 Pa. C.S. Section 7102, allows recovery as long as your share of fault stays below 51%. Your award may be reduced, but your right to recover remains intact.

Your case will be filed in the right venue

Most Pittsburgh claims are handled in Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas. Depending on the defendants involved, cases may also proceed in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania. Our attorneys have practiced in both for decades.

Call (412) 471-8500 for a free consultation, don’t wait until the deadline is close.

How We Fight For Your Failure to Diagnose Heart Attack Claim

A missed heart attack diagnosis requires a precise, evidence-driven legal strategy.

Here’s how our team approaches these cases:

  • Step 1: A Free, No-Pressure Consultation – Call (412) 471-8500 or contact us online. Tell us what happened and we’ll give you an honest assessment of your situation, no charge and no commitment required.
  • Step 2: We Review Every Medical Record – Emergency department notes, ECG results, troponin levels, discharge paperwork, and follow-up records all tell a story. We obtain your complete medical file and work with qualified cardiologists and medical experts to pinpoint exactly where the diagnosis was missed and who bears responsibility.
  • Step 3: We Identify Every Responsible Party – The treating physician is often just the starting point. We examine the emergency room, the interpreting cardiologist, the hospital’s protocols, and any other provider whose decisions contributed to the missed diagnosis, because every liable party represents additional recovery for you.
  • Step 4: We Shield You From the Institution – Hospital risk management teams move quickly after a malpractice claim. Once you retain us, every communication goes through our office. You focus on healing, we handle everything else.
  • Step 5: Prepared for Settlement or Trial – We build every case with the courtroom in mind. That preparation strengthens our negotiating position and ensures we’re ready if a fair settlement isn’t offered.
  • Step 6: No Fee Unless We Win – We work on contingency, no upfront costs and no legal fees unless we recover compensation for you.
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ABOUT
Why Choose The Cardiac Malpractice Attorneys at OMP

When a heart attack goes undiagnosed, the consequences can be devastating for patients and families alike.

At Ogg, Murphy & Perkosky, P.C., we’ve spent over 40 years holding negligent healthcare providers accountable across Pittsburgh and Western Pennsylvania.

You’ll work directly with an attorney who knows how to challenge hospital protocols and go up against large healthcare systems and their insurers.
No fees unless we recover for you.

Contact us or call (412) 471-8500) for a free case evaluation.

Get Your Free Case Evaluation
“

I highly recommend Mike Murphy and John Perkosky. They kept us informed every step of the way. Both are incredibly caring and were readily available to answer any questions we had. I felt completely confident in their abilities and am extremely grateful for all that they did. Mike and John fought hard to get us the best possible outcome for our case.

– Cheryl G.
“

The best firm in the city, and I'm not just saying that because of my name! Their level of legal knowledge here is unparalleled. Whether it's a personal injury or medical malpractice case, this firm is equipped to handle even the most complex matters. Their track record truly speaks for itself!

– Brandon O.
“

This Law Firm has a very unique way of handling your case. They strive to maximize your settlement, and I appreciate their hard work and professionalism.

– Tyler B.
“

I had such a great experience working with attorney Ben Gobel. His expertise and professionalism was evident throughout my case. He truly worked hard to bring me the best results. I highly recommend Ben for any personal injury issues.

– Ronald L.
“

Attorney Ben Gobel was fantastic. He was accessible and spent a lot of time reviewing my case with me, providing me with all of my options, possible outcomes and his recommendations. I had many questions and he answered every one of them thoroughly. Ultimately, I felt heard and had a better than anticipated outcome to my case!

– Erin O.

Frequently Asked Questions About Pittsburgh Failure to Diagnose Heart Attack Claims

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Yes, if the physician’s failure to diagnose fell below the accepted standard of care and caused you harm, you may have a valid medical malpractice claim under Pennsylvania law. The key elements are a deviation from the standard of care and a direct causal link to your injury. You do not need to determine this on your own. That is what the free case evaluation is for.

Pennsylvania’s statute of limitations for medical malpractice is generally two years from the date you knew or reasonably should have known that negligence caused your harm under 42 Pa. C.S. Section 5524. In wrongful death cases, the two-year period typically begins at the date of death. Missing this deadline will almost certainly bar your claim. Contact us as soon as possible.

This is one of the most common fact patterns in cardiac malpractice cases. If an emergency room discharged you without appropriate testing or follow-up and you subsequently suffered a cardiac event, the hospital and treating physicians may bear liability. The key question is whether the standard of care required additional workup before discharge. We can review your records and give you an honest assessment.

Not necessarily. Pennsylvania law recognizes that defendants take plaintiffs as they find them. If a physician’s failure to diagnose worsened a pre-existing condition or caused harm that earlier intervention would have prevented, that is still actionable. Pre-existing heart disease does not eliminate your claim.

If a family member died because a physician failed to act on clear warning signs, surviving family members may be entitled to bring a wrongful death claim under Pennsylvania law. These cases are handled with the seriousness and care they deserve. Call us to discuss your situation at no cost and no obligation.

Nothing upfront. We handle failure to diagnose heart attack cases on a contingency fee basis. Our fee is a percentage of the recovery. If we do not obtain a recovery for you, you owe us nothing. We offer a free initial consultation with no obligation.

Contact Our Pittsburgh Failure to Diagnose Heart Attack Attorneys Today

Failing to recognize the signs of a heart attack can delay critical treatment and lead to severe complications, permanent heart damage, or death. Our attorneys can investigate whether warning signs were missed, proper testing was delayed or overlooked, and medical negligence contributed to the harm you or your loved one suffered.

Contact us today at (412) 471-8500 for a free case evaluation. You pay no attorney fees unless we recover compensation for you.

Call (412) 471-8500 today for a free case evaluation.

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    The results obtained in any particular case depend upon the specific facts and circumstances of that case. Past verdicts and settlements do not guarantee or predict a similar outcome in future cases.

    245 Fort Pitt Blvd., Pittsburgh, PA 15222, US