As clinical negligence lawyers, we encounter cases where a delay in diagnosis or misdiagnosis has had devastating consequences for patients and their families. One particularly high-risk condition where timely intervention is vital is infective endocarditis, an infection of the inner lining of the heart and its valves.
Endocarditis can present with non-specific, flu-like symptoms, which unfortunately can be mistaken for a less severe illness. However, a failure to identify this condition promptly can lead to catastrophic, life-changing, and sometimes fatal outcomes.
Symptoms
- A persistent high temperature and chills
- Extreme fatigue and general malaise
- Night sweats
- Unexpected weight loss
- Heart murmur
- Painful joints/aching muscles
- Palpably enlarged spleen
- Gross and progressive anaemia
- Shortness of breath/cough
Whilst these symptoms are common to many conditions, healthcare professionals should be particularly alert if a patient has specific risk factors, such as a pre-existing heart condition, a history of heart valve damage, or recent invasive medical procedures.
The Catastrophic Consequences of Delay in Diagnosis
When endocarditis is missed, the infection can cause serious damage to the heart valves, impairing the heart’s ability to pump blood effectively. This can lead to severe and life-threatening complications such as:
- Heart Failure: The heart becomes unable to pump blood efficiently, leading to potential long-term issues.
- Stroke: Pieces of infected tissue or blood clots can break off and travel to the brain, causing a stroke. This can result in permanent disability, affecting mobility, speech, and vision.
- Sepsis: The infection can spread, leading to sepsis, a potentially fatal condition.
- Organ Failure: The lack of proper blood flow can lead to damage to other organs, such as the kidneys or spleen.
When a Missed Diagnosis Becomes Negligence
Not every missed diagnosis is a result of negligence. Medical professionals are expected to treat patients to the best of their ability, and complex or rare conditions can be challenging to identify.
However, negligence may be established if a healthcare provider’s actions fall below a reasonably expected standard of care, causing the patient to suffer avoidable harm. This could involve:
- Failing to take a proper and detailed patient history.
- Failing to carry out a proper examination
- Failing to refer a patient for appropriate diagnostic tests (like blood cultures and an echocardiogram) when symptoms and risk factors are present.
- Mistaking symptoms for a different, less serious condition.
- Failing to act on abnormal test results in a timely manner.
Case Study – John 43 years old
John attended hospital over a six month period with worsening symptoms of cough, breathlessness, night sweats, weight loss, fever and heart murmur. He was diagnosed by the hospital as having a chest infection and given antibiotics and discharged. Unfortunately, the hospital failed to diagnose that John was suffering from infective endocarditis.
As a result of the hospital’s failure to diagnose and treat John’s endocarditis he went on to suffer a major ischaemic stroke resulting in loss of vision, loss of speech and impaired cognition. He was medically retired from his job.
Although John had some permanent lasting effects he made a remarkable recovery in the circumstances, due to the fact that he was relatively young and prior to his illness had been extremely fit.
After obtaining expert medical evidence we negotiated with the hospital trust’s solicitors and obtained a settlement for John of £400,000.00 without going to Court.
For victims of endocarditis misdiagnosis, pursuing a clinical negligence claim can provide crucial financial security to cover ongoing medical expenses, lost earnings, and the costs of care and specialised equipment. It also helps hold negligent parties accountable.
If you or a loved one has suffered due to a delayed or missed diagnosis of endocarditis, it is important to seek expert legal advice. A specialist clinical negligence solicitor can help you navigate the complexities of a claim and determine if you have grounds for compensation. There are strict time limits for bringing a claim, so early advice is absolutely crucial.
For a free, no-obligation discussion about your situation and whether you may have a potential claim contact dianemassey@dsmlegal.co.uk or call 01925 937070.