Orlando EKG Misinterpretation Lawyers

An electrocardiogram — commonly called an EKG or ECG — is one of the most fundamental diagnostic tools in medicine. It measures the electrical activity of the heart and, when properly read, can reveal a heart attack in progress, a dangerous arrhythmia, or other life-threatening cardiac conditions. When a physician, emergency room doctor, or other healthcare provider fails to correctly interpret an EKG, the consequences for the patient can be fatal. At Faiella & Gulden, P.A., we represent patients in Orlando and throughout Florida who were harmed because a critical EKG finding was missed, misread, or ignored. If an EKG misinterpretation led to a delayed diagnosis, untreated heart attack, or another serious cardiac event, you may have a medical malpractice claim. We offer free consultations, charge no attorney fees unless we recover compensation for you, and begin working on your case the moment you hire us.

What Is an EKG and Why Does Accurate Interpretation Matter?

An electrocardiogram records the electrical signals that travel through the heart with each beat. By analyzing the pattern of these signals, trained clinicians can identify a wide range of cardiac conditions. EKG tracings can show evidence of an acute myocardial infarction (STEMI — ST-elevation myocardial infarction — or NSTEMI), cardiac arrhythmias such as atrial fibrillation, ventricular tachycardia, or heart block, electrolyte abnormalities that affect heart rhythm, signs of cardiac ischemia (reduced blood flow to the heart), and structural abnormalities such as left ventricular hypertrophy.

In the emergency room, the American College of Cardiology and American Heart Association guidelines call for an EKG to be performed and interpreted within 10 minutes for patients presenting with chest pain or symptoms that could indicate a cardiac event. A STEMI identified on EKG requires immediate activation of the cardiac catheterization lab for revascularization. Minutes matter — every delay in treatment following a STEMI increases the amount of permanent heart muscle damage.

Common EKG Misinterpretation Errors

EKG misinterpretation can occur in many clinical settings, including the emergency department, inpatient units, cardiologist offices, and primary care practices. Common errors include:

– Failing to recognize ST-segment elevation consistent with a STEMI, resulting in delayed or absent treatment
– Misidentifying a STEMI as a normal variant, early repolarization, or pericarditis
– Missing signs of a Non-ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction (NSTEMI), which may present with more subtle EKG changes
– Failing to recognize Wellens’ syndrome — a pattern of T-wave changes that predicts an impending critical blockage of the left anterior descending coronary artery
– Not identifying life-threatening arrhythmias such as ventricular tachycardia, third-degree heart block, or Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome
– Misreading a prolonged QT interval, which can precede fatal arrhythmia
– Failing to compare the new EKG to prior tracings, which can obscure important changes
– Not obtaining a repeat EKG when symptoms persist or worsen after a normal initial reading

Florida Law: EKG Errors and Medical Malpractice

Under Florida’s medical malpractice statutes, Chapter 766, a healthcare provider who misinterprets an EKG may be held liable if their interpretation fell below the accepted standard of care and that deviation caused the patient’s injuries. Florida Statute §766.102 establishes that the standard of care is that which a reasonably prudent similar healthcare provider would recognize as appropriate under the same or similar conditions.

Pursuing a claim requires the claimant to obtain an expert opinion from a qualified medical professional confirming the deviation and its causal relationship to the patient’s harm. Before a lawsuit can be filed, Florida law mandates a pre-suit investigation period under §766.106, during which the claimant must serve a notice of intent on all defendants and allow a minimum 90-day investigation window. The applicable statute of limitations is two years from discovery of the injury, subject to an absolute four-year limit from the date of the malpractice under §95.11(4)(b). Patients who believe they were harmed by an EKG misinterpretation should contact an attorney without delay to preserve their legal options.

What to Do If You Were Harmed by a Missed or Misread EKG

If you suspect that an EKG misinterpretation caused you or a loved one to suffer a delayed diagnosis or untreated cardiac event, you should take the following steps:

– Seek care from a cardiologist or cardiac specialist who can evaluate the full extent of your cardiac injury and document what occurred.
– Obtain all medical records, specifically including the EKG tracings themselves — not just the written interpretation. EKG strips are critical evidence in these cases.
– Request records from every facility and provider involved in your care during the relevant time period.
– Keep a personal record of your symptoms, what you told each provider, and what they said to you.
– Do not discuss the case with the hospital or its insurance company without first speaking with a medical malpractice attorney.
– Contact Faiella & Gulden, P.A. as early as possible to allow time for the required pre-suit process under Florida law.

How Faiella & Gulden, P.A. Can Help

At Faiella & Gulden, P.A., we understand how to handle cases involving cardiac diagnostic errors. We work with qualified cardiologists and electrophysiologists who can review EKG tracings and provide the expert analysis required to establish that the standard of care was violated. We handle all pre-suit requirements, gather and preserve critical evidence — including the actual EKG strips — and pursue your case aggressively through settlement negotiations or trial.

Our team serves clients in Orlando and across Florida, including Orange County, Kissimmee, Melbourne, Tampa, Sarasota, Fort Myers, Clearwater, Daytona Beach, Palm Bay, and communities throughout the state.

Avoiding Mistakes After an EKG Misinterpretation Injury

Patients and families dealing with the aftermath of a missed or misread EKG often face a confusing and overwhelming situation. Understanding what not to do can be just as important as knowing what steps to take.

Not Requesting the Actual EKG Strips

Medical records requests sometimes return only the written interpretation of the EKG, not the actual tracing. The physical or digital EKG strip is critical evidence — a cardiovascular expert must review the tracing itself, not just the interpretation. Always specifically request the EKG tracings in addition to the written report.

Accepting the Provider’s Explanation Without Question

After a patient suffers a heart attack or serious arrhythmia that was missed on an earlier EKG, some providers may offer explanations designed to minimize their responsibility. An independent expert review — not the hospital’s internal review — is what gives you a reliable picture of what actually happened.

Delaying Contact With an Attorney

Florida requires a mandatory 90-day pre-suit investigation before a lawsuit can be filed in a medical malpractice case. While this period tolls the statute of limitations under Florida law, the pre-suit notice must still be served before the two-year window expires — and gathering the required expert support takes time. Contact our firm as soon as you suspect an EKG error occurred.

Talking to the Hospital’s Risk Management Team

Risk management departments exist to limit the hospital’s financial exposure. Any information you provide to them can be used to undermine your claim. Always consult a medical malpractice attorney before engaging with hospital administration or their insurers.

Hiring a General Practice Attorney

EKG misinterpretation cases require attorneys who understand cardiac physiology, diagnostic standards, and the intricacies of Florida’s pre-suit malpractice requirements. At Faiella & Gulden, P.A., medical malpractice is the core of what we do.

Orlando EKG Misinterpretation — Client Story

This client story is for educational purposes only.

James was 61 years old when he drove himself to an Orlando urgent care facility with chest tightness and unusual fatigue. An EKG was performed, and a staff member noted the results appeared normal. James was told he was likely dealing with stress or muscle strain. He was given an anti-inflammatory and sent home. Two days later, he collapsed at home and was rushed to the emergency room, where physicians determined he had suffered a significant heart attack. Further review of the urgent care EKG by a cardiologist revealed that the tracing had shown Wellens’ syndrome — a pattern clearly indicating critical blockage of the left anterior descending coronary artery — that had been missed by the provider who read it.

James’s family reached out to Faiella & Gulden, P.A. The firm obtained all records from the urgent care visit, including the original EKG tracing, and retained a cardiologist to review the case. The expert confirmed that the Wellens’ pattern was clearly visible and that a provider adhering to the standard of care would have immediately transferred James to an emergency cardiac facility. Instead, he went home and suffered a preventable heart attack that left him with permanent cardiac damage.

Faiella & Gulden, P.A. completed Florida’s required pre-suit process and pursued the case with the support of compelling expert testimony. The case resolved in a way that allowed James and his family to secure ongoing cardiac care and some measure of accountability for the failure that had so dramatically changed his life.

Contact Faiella & Gulden, P.A. — Orlando EKG Misinterpretation Lawyers

A misread EKG can cost a patient their heart health — or their life. If you or someone you love suffered serious harm because a healthcare provider failed to properly interpret an EKG, the attorneys at Faiella & Gulden, P.A. are here to help. We offer free consultations, work on a contingency fee basis, and begin work on your case immediately. Call us today at (407) 470-1225 or complete our online contact form to speak with an Orlando EKG misinterpretation lawyer.