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Since 2005, Michael Bonamarte IV has been a passionate advocate for victims of negligent conduct, corporate malfeasance, and medical malpractice. He has won numerous awards and recognitions, including Best Lawyers in America and Super Lawyers’ Rising Star. He has presented for the American Association for Justice, the AAJ Nursing Home Litigation Group, the John Marshall Law School, and numerous other legal associations. He regularly lectures at Chicago-area aging organizations about nursing home abuse. His writings have been published by the American Bar Association, the Chicago Daily Bulletin, and numerous other prestigious publications.
Read Bio
Since 2005, Michael Bonamarte IV has been a passionate advocate for victims of negligent conduct, corporate malfeasance, and medical malpractice. He has won numerous awards and recognitions, including Best Lawyers in America and Super Lawyers’ Rising Star. He has presented for the American Association for Justice, the AAJ Nursing Home Litigation Group, the John Marshall Law School, and numerous other legal associations. He regularly lectures at Chicago-area aging organizations about nursing home abuse. His writings have been published by the American Bar Association, the Chicago Daily Bulletin, and numerous other prestigious publications.
Postpartum cardiomyopathy, also known as peripartum cardiomyopathy, is a rare type of heart failure that can develop as a complication of pregnancy or childbirth. African-American women are at particular risk of postpartum cardiomyopathy, with some studies suggesting they could be roughly six times more vulnerable than the general population.
Early treatment can prevent serious or life-threatening complications, but some healthcare providers may fail to see the warning signs of postpartum cardiomyopathy in time to make a difference. Depending on the circumstances, a missed or delayed postpartum cardiomyopathy diagnosis can be considered medical malpractice.
Why Is Postpartum Cardiomyopathy Often Misdiagnosed?
Postpartum cardiomyopathy misdiagnosis typically occurs when doctors either overlook concerning symptoms or confuse them for those presented by a different condition. If another reasonable medical professional would have uncovered postpartum cardiomyopathy in the same situation, the doctor involved may be liable for the patient’s injuries.
What Conditions Can Postpartum Cardiomyopathy Be Mistaken For?
The primary symptoms of postpartum cardiomyopathy, shortness of breath, an elevated heart rate, and swelling in the extremities, are also associated with far more common conditions, such as:
- Pneumonia: In one example, a patient was diagnosed with pneumonia after giving birth because of seemingly straightforward test results and symptoms. Only after she deteriorated further did providers run further tests that revealed peripartum cardiomyopathy.
- Pulmonary embolism: A patient suffering from respiratory failure may appear to be dealing with a blood clot in the lungs, rather than the heart. One study identified two separate instances of young women with postpartum cardiomyopathy who were misdiagnosed with pulmonary embolism when admitted to an intensive care unit.
- Depression: Fatigue, anxiety, stress, and other effects from pregnancy on the body and mind can mask symptoms of postpartum cardiomyopathy.
What Warning Signs of Postpartum Cardiomyopathy Are Often Overlooked?
Many signs and symptoms of postpartum cardiomyopathy overlap with post-birth experiences doctors consider normal, including fatigue, swelling, heart palpitations, dizziness, and more. If medical providers fail to properly investigate symptoms and monitor patients for complications, they may not notice red flags for heart failure until it’s too late.
How Do Doctors Properly Diagnose Postpartum Cardiomyopathy?
The best way to diagnose postpartum cardiomyopathy is to perform an echocardiogram, an imaging test that uses ultrasound to produce images of the heart. Echocardiograms can evaluate how effectively the heart is pumping blood, with abnormally low performance helping to indicate heart failure, even when other conditions are more likely.
Failing to order an echocardiogram when a patient has potential symptoms of postpartum cardiomyopathy, or waiting to take action when results are concerning, can lead to delayed treatment and worse outcomes.
Case Study: $5.35 Million Settlement After Mother Dies From Undiagnosed Postpartum Cardiomyopathy
In 2009, the experienced legal team at Levin & Perconti helped secure compensation for the daughter of a young woman who died from postpartum cardiomyopathy after a delayed diagnosis.
Our client was just 18 years old and less than a month out from giving birth when she arrived at the emergency room with chest pain and shortness of breath. She was treated for pneumonia at the facility, which only worsened the undiagnosed heart failure she was experiencing. Her condition deteriorated, and she died less than a day later while being transported to an intensive care unit.
Holding her doctors accountable for failure to diagnose, our medical malpractice attorneys negotiated a $5.35 million structured settlement for our client’s daughter that will provide security as she grows.
When Can You Sue for Postpartum Cardiomyopathy Misdiagnosis in Illinois?
A postpartum cardiomyopathy misdiagnosis isn’t enough for a medical malpractice claim on its own. In Illinois, you have to show that a healthcare provider failed to adhere to the “standard of care” expected of a reasonable medical professional, and that the provider’s negligent behavior directly caused you harm.
A trusted Chicago medical malpractice lawyer can help you investigate your healthcare provider and prove their negligence by pulling medical records, reconstructing the circumstances of your treatment, and consulting with independent experts to confirm whether the provider’s actions deviated from best practices.
What Illinois Laws Apply to Postpartum Cardiomyopathy Misdiagnosis Claims?
Illinois has a two-year statute of limitations for medical malpractice claims in most circumstances, including cases involving misdiagnoses of postpartum cardiomyopathy. The deadline is set from the day you discover that you were injured by malpractice, but there is also an additional four-year deadline regardless of when you learned about the injury.
If your loved one died because of undiagnosed postpartum cardiomyopathy, you may be eligible for damages under Illinois’ Wrongful Death Act.
To file a medical malpractice lawsuit, Illinois law also requires you to include an affidavit of merit. This is a signed statement from your attorney swearing that a relevant, qualified medical professional has looked at your case and believes it is valid.
Frequently Asked Questions About Postpartum Cardiomyopathy Misdiagnosis
Can Postpartum Cardiomyopathy Be Diagnosed Months After Childbirth?
Yes, postpartum cardiomyopathy is known to occur as late as five months after childbirth.
Can a Family File a Lawsuit if a Mother Dies From Undiagnosed Postpartum Cardiomyopathy?
Yes, a family may be eligible for a wrongful death lawsuit if a loved one dies from undiagnosed postpartum cardiomyopathy, depending on the circumstances.
Can the Heart Recover After a Delayed Postpartum Cardiomyopathy Diagnosis?
Yes, the heart can fully recover after surviving postpartum cardiomyopathy. However, the longer treatment is delayed because of a missed diagnosis, the more likely you are to suffer from serious complications that can have permanent impacts.
Reach Out to Our Chicago Medical Malpractice Lawyers Today
With over 400 years of combined experience, Levin & Perconti has the knowledge and skill necessary to handle your postpartum cardiomyopathy misdiagnosis case. Contact us online or call (312) 332-2872 to schedule a free consultation with our trusted medical malpractice attorneys.
