Cardiology Negligence Claims

Cardiology negligence can occur in various ways, such as misdiagnosing hypertension or prescribing the wrong medication for a heart condition. If you have suffered harm due to such an error, you may be entitled to make a cardiology negligence claim.

Our team of expert medical negligence solicitors are here to offer you a free case assessment and free advice regarding your legal options. If you can proceed, they will provide you with a no win no fee service and guide you through all the steps of the claims process.

For a free initial consultation, call 0800 470 0474 or enter your details into our online claim form to request a call back at your convenience.

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Table of Contents

• Do cardiologists have a legal duty of care towards patients?
• Am I eligible to make a cardiology negligence claim?
• What evidence do I need to support my cardiology claim?
• What are the most common signs and symptoms of cardiac and heart problems?
• How are cardiac conditions such as heart disease diagnosed and treated?
• Common types of cardiology negligence
  • Misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis
  • Medication errors
  • Mismanagement of emergencies
  • Surgical mistakes
  • Inadequate monitoring and follow-up
  • Poor communication
• What are the potential consequences of cardiac negligence?
• Can I make a cardiology medical negligence claim on behalf of a loved one?
• Can I make a claim if my loved one has died due to negligent treatment?
• How much compensation could I receive for negligent cardiology treatment?
• How much will it cost to make a compensation claim?
• Time limits to start a claim for medical negligence

Do cardiologists have a legal duty of care towards patients?

All healthcare professionals, cardiologists included, owe their patients a duty of care. This is an ethical and legal duty to:

• Provide care that meets an acceptable standard within their medical field
• Act in the best interests of the patient, ensuring their safety and well-being
• Avoid acts or omissions that could foreseeably cause harm

The specific duties of care of cardiologists towards patients include:

• Thoroughly assess symptoms and order appropriate tests to make an accurate diagnosis.
• Recommend the correct medication or treatment plan for the patient’s condition.
• Act promptly in emergency situations, such as a heart attack or stroke.
• Provide adequate monitoring and follow-up care.
• Clearly explain the risks and benefits of a procedure to patients and obtain their informed consent.
• Communicate effectively with other healthcare providers and refer the patient to a specialist or emergency care when necessary.

If you suffered an avoidable injury or the worsening of your condition due to substandard medical care, you may be eligible to make a cardiac negligence claim.

Am I eligible to make a cardiology negligence claim?

The easiest way to find out if you can make a cardiology negligence compensation claim is by speaking to a legal adviser. They will assess your case to determine whether:

• A medical professional breached their duty of care toward you
• As a result, you suffered an avoidable injury, or your condition worsened
• The negligence happened or was diagnosed within the past three years

If these apply to your case, you will be paired with a personal injury solicitor experienced in cardiology negligence claims. They will help you gather the necessary evidence to prove the negligence and how it has affected your life, and handle all aspects of the case on your behalf.

Keep in mind that you can make a claim against the NHS as well as against a private healthcare provider.

If your claim is successful, the compensation will be paid by NHS Resolution or a medical malpractice insurer, and it will not impact the funds available for patient care and treatment.

What evidence do I need to support my cardiology claim?

If you have grounds to start a cardiology claim, your personal injury lawyer will help you gather all the necessary proof and documents you need to support it, which could include:

• Your complete medical history, including GP notes, hospital reports, diagnostic tests and treatment plans
• A report from an independent specialist who will review your records and assess whether the care you received fell below an acceptable standard and how it caused your injuries
• A detailed personal account of how the clinical negligence occurred, including your symptoms and the impact on your life
• Proof of the harm suffered due to the negligence, such as details of a worsened heart condition, complications or reduced life expectancy
• Statements from family members, caregivers or others who can support your claim
• Financial documents that prove related losses and expenses, such as receipts and payslips

What are the most common signs and symptoms of cardiac and heart problems?

The signs and symptoms of cardiac problems can vary depending on the specific condition and its severity, but generally include:

• Chest pain or discomfort, such as tightness, pressure or burning that can radiate to the arm, jaw, back or neck
• Shortness of breath at rest, during physical activity or when lying down
• Wheezing or a persistent cough can be caused by fluid buildup in the lungs, a sign of heart failure
• Cold hands or feet due to poor blood flow
• Pale or bluish skin can indicate low oxygen
• Swelling in the legs, ankles or feet (oedema) because of fluid retention
• Fast or uneven heartbeat (palpitations)
• Fatigue or extreme tiredness
• Feeling dizzy or lightheaded due to low blood pressure
• Nausea or vomiting
• Sweating
• Fainting

If you or someone else is experiencing chest pain with extreme shortness of breath, fainting, or profuse sweating, you should seek emergency medical help. These may be signs of a heart attack or another serious cardiac event.

How are cardiac conditions such as heart disease diagnosed and treated?

To diagnose heart disease, a cardiologist will start with a physical exam. They will check your blood pressure and heart rate and listen to your heart. Your doctor will also ask you about any symptoms, your lifestyle and your family history.

Depending on your symptoms and risk factors, they may order various tests to diagnose your condition, such as:

• Blood tests to check your cholesterol, blood sugar levels and C-reactive protein
• A chest X-ray to see if the heart is enlarged
• An electrocardiogram to see if your heart is beating regularly
• A heart ultrasound to assess its valve and pumping function
• A stress test to see how the heart responds to physical activity
• A CT scan or cardiac MRI for detailed images of the heart and blood vessels

Some of the most common cardiac conditions affecting the population include:

• Coronary artery disease
• Congenital heart disease
• Arrhythmia
• High blood pressure
• Heart failure
• Myocardial infarction
• Valvular heart disease

The treatment for heart disease depends on the cause and type of heart damage and could include:

• Lifestyle changes – quitting smoking, healthy diet, weight loss and regular exercise
• Medication – statins to lower cholesterol, beta-blockers or ACE inhibitors
• Medical procedures or heart surgery – stent placement, pacemakers, valve repair, bypass surgery or heart transplant

Early diagnosis and treatment are essential to prevent complications like stroke, heart failure and sudden cardiac arrest.

Common types of cardiology negligence

Cardiac negligence and a subsequent cardiology compensation claim can arise from various types of mistakes or substandard care, including:

Misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis

• Failing to recognise the symptoms of a heart attack
• Misdiagnosing cardiac symptoms as indigestion, anxiety, or another condition
• Failing to order the necessary diagnostic tests
• Misinterpreting test results
• Ignoring risk factors or abnormal test results
• Failing to make a timely referral to a cardiologist
• Diagnosing a less severe condition as a cardiac problem

Medication errors

• Prescribing the wrong heart medication or incorrect dosage
• Failing to monitor the effects of drugs like blood thinners or beta-blockers
• Not considering allergies or interactions with a patient’s existing medication
• Receiving the wrong prescription from the pharmacy
• Anaesthesia errors during surgery

Mismanagement of emergencies

• Delays in providing urgent care to a patient suspected of a heart attack or cardiac arrest
• Failure to follow standard protocols
• Inadequate monitoring or resuscitation in A&E or intensive care

Surgical mistakes

• Improper placement of pacemakers or stents
• Damage to a nerve or artery during surgery
• Perforation of the heart or surrounding tissue
• Failing to use sterile instruments
• Failing to respond to complications during surgery
• Improper suturing
• Leaving surgical instruments inside the body

Inadequate monitoring and follow-up

• Failing to schedule appropriate follow-up for patients with heart disease
• Poor post-operative care leading to infections or complications
• Ignoring worsening symptoms
• Failing to manage ongoing cardiac conditions

Poor communication

• Failing to inform patients about their condition and treatment options
• Miscommunication between GPs and specialists
• Poor record-keeping
• Failing to obtain informed consent

What are the potential consequences of cardiac negligence?

According to the British Heart Foundation, 7.6 million people are living with cardiovascular diseases in the UK. Heart problems are the leading cause of death and disability in the country, resulting in 175,000 deaths each year.

Prompt diagnosis and treatment of heart conditions are essential to ensure a good quality of life and prevent an untimely death.

Sadly, not all conditions are promptly diagnosed and treated. Cardiology negligence can sometimes occur and can have a significant impact on a person’s life. Some of the consequences of substandard cardiac care from medical experts could be:

• The uncontrolled progression of the disease
• Increased risk of cardiac arrest and stroke
• More extensive and irreversible damage to the heart muscle
• The condition becomes chronic or far more severe
• Lost opportunity for early intervention and a better prognosis
• Increased pain and suffering
• Damage to the heart, nerves or blood vessels during negligent cardiac procedures
• Severe bleeding or blood clots
• Severe side effects from the wrong medication or dosage
• Emotional distress and psychological damage
• Financial strain due to being unable to work, care costs and medical treatments
• Irreversible brain damage and permanent disability
• Death

The more severe the consequences of the alleged negligence, the higher the level of compensation you will likely be entitled to.

Can I make a cardiology medical negligence claim on behalf of a loved one?

Yes, you may be able to represent a loved one as a litigation friend and make a medical negligence claim on their behalf if they are:

• A child under 18
• An adult who is a protected party under the Mental Capacity Act 2005, meaning they lack the mental capacity to pursue a claim themselves

To be appointed as a litigation friend, you must complete a certificate of suitability and prove that:

• You have no conflict of interest with the claimant
• Are able to make fair, competent decisions about the case that are in your loved one’s best interests

A specialist medical negligence solicitor can guide you through each step of the legal process and help you secure compensation for your loved one.

Can I make a claim if my loved one has died due to negligent treatment?

If you’ve lost a loved one because of a delay in diagnosis or treatment of a heart problem, you may be entitled to make a claim for compensation under the Fatal Accidents Act 1976.

This Act allows anyone who was a dependant of the deceased to pursue a clinical negligence claim, including spouses, civil partners, parents, children, siblings, aunts and uncles. A wrongful death claim may include:

• Compensation for financial dependency and the loss of financial support expected from your loved one
• Loss of services, such as childcare, gardening, housekeeping and DIY projects
• Reasonable funeral expenses, such as wreaths, the headstone and transporting the body to the grave
• The financial losses, pain and suffering incurred by your loved one due to the cardiology medical negligence

There is also a statutory bereavement award of £15,120 that can be claimed by a spouse, civil partner and the parents of a child under 18.

How much compensation could I receive for negligent cardiology treatment?

The amount of compensation that is awarded for heart and cardiac negligence cases is calculated based on two types of damages incurred by claimants:

General damages compensate for the non-financial aspects of the injury and its impact on your life. They are often referred to as pain, suffering and loss of amenity (PLSA) and could include:

• Physical pain and suffering
• Mental and emotional distress
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Disability and disfigurement
• Loss of consortium and companionship
• Reduced life expectancy

Special damages compensate for quantifiable financial losses and expenses you have incurred or will incur as a direct result of the negligence. These can be substantial and include:

• Loss of earnings due to time off work during recovery and loss of earning capacity
• Costs of private medical consultations and treatment
• Care costs, if you need help and assistance due to your condition
• Specialised medical equipment, such as mobility aids
• Travel expenses to medical appointments
• Adaptations to your home or vehicle

Feel free to use our personal injury compensation calculator to get a rough estimate of how much your cardiac claim could be worth.

How much will it cost to make a compensation claim?

If you are eligible to make a claim, our specialist medical negligence team will represent you on a no win no fee basis. This is the most popular way to fund a personal injury claim because it involves no upfront costs, and there are no financial risks.

If your case has a reasonable chance of success, your solicitor will take on the risk of litigation without you paying them anything during the process.

If you win compensation, your lawyer will take a success fee from your payment. This is a pre-agreed percentage, legally capped at 25% of general damages and past financial losses. If your claim is unsuccessful, you do not have to pay them a single penny.

Your injury lawyer may also take out an ATE insurance policy on your behalf. If you lose, this will cover all your disbursements, including the defendant’s solicitor and the cost of the ATE premium.

Time limits to start a claim for medical negligence

Under the Limitation Act 1980, you typically have three years to make a cardiac compensation claim, starting from either:

• The date the negligence occurred
• The date you became aware of your injury and the negligent medical care

After the three-year limitation period, your claim will be time-barred and will no longer be valid. However, there are a few exceptions to this rule:

• You can initiate a child injury claim at any time before they turn 18, after which they have until 21 to seek compensation themselves.
• There is no limitation period for a litigation friend to make a claim on behalf of a protected party.
• You can make a wrongful death claim within three years after losing a loved one.

If you’re considering making a claim, we advise you not to postpone seeking legal advice. This will give your injury solicitor better access to evidence and will help them put together a strong case to secure your rightful compensation.

To start your claim, call 0800 470 0474 today or use our contact form to request a call back.

Last edited on 8th Aug 2025

With over 15 years’ experience in the legal sector, Nicholas Tate (LLB Hons, LLM in Health Law) has extensive experience across all areas of personal injury and medical negligence claims.