A 43-year-old woman arrives at the emergency department complaining of sudden shortness of breath and sharp pain in her chest. She tells the physician that taking a deep breath makes the pain worse. Two weeks earlier, she underwent knee surgery and has spent much of her recovery resting at home.
Her electrocardiogram is normal.
A chest X-ray doesn't show pneumonia.
She is told she is probably experiencing anxiety and is discharged home.
Later that evening, she collapses in her kitchen. Paramedics begin CPR, but despite their efforts, she dies from a massive pulmonary embolism—a blood clot that traveled to her lungs and blocked blood flow to her heart.
For her family, the tragedy is difficult to comprehend. She recognized something was wrong. She sought medical care. The opportunity to diagnose the condition existed—but the diagnosis came too late.
At Bounds Law Group, we represent patients and families throughout Florida whose lives have been changed by delayed diagnoses of serious medical conditions. Pulmonary embolism is one of the most dangerous emergencies physicians encounter because prompt treatment can often save a patient's life.
Contact us today through our free case evaluation form or call 877-644-5122.
A Blood Clot in the Lungs Can Become Fatal Within Minutes
A pulmonary embolism (PE) occurs when a blood clot—usually originating in a vein deep within the leg or pelvis—travels through the bloodstream and becomes lodged in one of the arteries supplying the lungs.
Once the clot blocks blood flow, the heart must work much harder to pump blood through the lungs. If the clot is large enough, oxygen levels drop, blood pressure falls, and the heart may suddenly fail.
Some pulmonary embolisms are relatively small and cause mild symptoms.
Others become life-threatening almost immediately.
According to the American Lung Association, pulmonary embolism is a serious medical emergency that requires prompt diagnosis and treatment to prevent permanent injury or death.
More information is available at:
https://www.lung.org/lung-health-diseases/lung-disease-lookup/pulmonary-embolism
The Symptoms Can Mimic Many Other Conditions
One reason pulmonary embolism is frequently missed is that its symptoms overlap with many common illnesses.
Patients may experience:
- Sudden shortness of breath
- Chest pain that worsens with breathing
- Rapid heart rate
- Cough
- Coughing up blood
- Lightheadedness
- Dizziness
- Fainting
- Anxiety
- Unexplained fatigue
Some patients describe feeling as though they "just can't catch their breath."
Others experience only mild discomfort before rapidly deteriorating.
Because no single symptom confirms pulmonary embolism, healthcare providers must evaluate the patient's history together with their physical examination and risk factors.
The Patient's History Often Provides the Biggest Clues
Certain events significantly increase the likelihood that a patient may develop a pulmonary embolism.
These include:
- Recent surgery
- Recent hospitalization
- Prolonged bed rest
- Long-distance travel
- Pregnancy
- The postpartum period
- Cancer
- Prior deep vein thrombosis (DVT)
- Previous pulmonary embolism
- Hormonal medications containing estrogen
- Certain inherited clotting disorders
When someone with one or more of these risk factors suddenly develops chest pain or shortness of breath, pulmonary embolism should often be considered among the possible diagnoses.
Ignoring those risk factors can delay life-saving treatment.
Why Pulmonary Embolism Is Sometimes Misdiagnosed
Pulmonary embolism has earned a reputation among physicians as "the great imitator."
Patients are frequently diagnosed with:
- Anxiety or panic attacks
- Pneumonia
- Bronchitis
- Asthma
- Heartburn
- Musculoskeletal chest pain
- Viral illness
- Heart attack
Many of these conditions cause chest discomfort or breathing problems.
The challenge is recognizing when the patient's symptoms point toward a blood clot rather than a more routine illness.
In many malpractice cases, the patient had multiple risk factors that were either overlooked or not fully investigated.
Diagnostic Testing Can Identify a Dangerous Blood Clot
Modern medicine offers several tools for evaluating suspected pulmonary embolism.
Depending on the patient's symptoms and clinical risk, physicians may order:
- D-dimer blood testing
- CT pulmonary angiography
- Ventilation-perfusion (V/Q) scan
- Ultrasound of the legs
- Electrocardiogram (ECG)
- Chest X-ray
- Blood oxygen testing
Importantly, neither a normal ECG nor a normal chest X-ray rules out pulmonary embolism.
Those tests may appear normal even in patients with life-threatening blood clots.
The American College of Chest Physicians (CHEST) has published evidence-based recommendations emphasizing risk assessment and appropriate imaging when pulmonary embolism is suspected.
Clinical guidance is available at:
Early Treatment Can Save a Life
Once pulmonary embolism is diagnosed, treatment often begins immediately.
Depending on the patient's condition, care may include:
- Blood-thinning medications
- Clot-dissolving medications
- Catheter-directed thrombectomy
- Surgical removal of the clot
- Oxygen therapy
- Intensive care monitoring
Patients with massive pulmonary embolism may require emergency procedures to restore blood flow and support the heart.
The sooner treatment begins, the greater the likelihood of preventing permanent heart and lung damage.
Some Survivors Face Long-Term Complications
Not every pulmonary embolism is fatal.
Many patients survive—but continue experiencing significant health problems.
Potential long-term complications include:
- Chronic shortness of breath
- Pulmonary hypertension
- Reduced exercise tolerance
- Heart strain
- Recurrent blood clots
- Chronic fatigue
Some patients remain on blood-thinning medication for months or even the rest of their lives.
Others require ongoing evaluation by cardiologists or pulmonologists because of persistent symptoms.
What Florida's Standard of Care Requires
Chest pain and shortness of breath are among the most common reasons patients seek emergency medical care.
Most patients do not have a pulmonary embolism.
However, Florida healthcare providers are expected to recognize when a patient's symptoms, medical history, physical examination, and risk factors reasonably suggest the possibility of a blood clot in the lungs.
Medical malpractice claims in Florida are governed by Chapter 766 of the Florida Statutes, which establishes the legal standards applicable to healthcare negligence claims.
The statute can be reviewed here:
https://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0700-0799/0766/0766.html
Depending on the patient's presentation, appropriate care may include obtaining a complete medical history, evaluating risk factors for venous thromboembolism, ordering appropriate laboratory testing or imaging, initiating anticoagulation when indicated, consulting specialists, and arranging timely hospital admission when necessary.
Whether the standard of care was breached depends on the specific facts of each case and requires review by qualified medical experts.
The Timeline Often Reveals Missed Opportunities
Pulmonary embolism cases frequently involve warning signs that appeared before the patient's condition became critical.
Our attorneys carefully review:
- Emergency department records
- Urgent care records
- Primary care records
- EMS reports
- CT angiography
- Ultrasound studies
- Laboratory testing
- Cardiology and pulmonology consultations
- Intensive care records
- Hospital discharge summaries
Medical experts evaluate whether healthcare providers recognized the patient's risk factors, ordered appropriate testing, and initiated treatment soon enough to prevent catastrophic injury.
In many cases, the opportunity to change the outcome existed during the patient's very first medical visit.
Families Are Often Left Searching for Answers
When someone dies or suffers permanent injuries from a pulmonary embolism, loved ones often struggle to understand how a condition that seemed so sudden could have been prevented.
Many patients were healthy and active only days earlier.
Others had recently undergone routine surgery and expected to make a full recovery.
The realization that earlier diagnosis may have changed everything leaves families searching for accountability and answers.
How Bounds Law Group Investigates Delayed Pulmonary Embolism Cases
Pulmonary embolism cases require collaboration with experts in emergency medicine, pulmonology, cardiology, vascular medicine, radiology, hematology, and critical care.
At Bounds Law Group, we carefully review medical records, diagnostic imaging, physician documentation, laboratory studies, consultation notes, and treatment timelines to determine whether healthcare providers missed opportunities to diagnose and treat pulmonary embolism before permanent injuries occurred.
If you or someone you love suffered serious injuries or wrongful death because a pulmonary embolism was not diagnosed or treated promptly, you may have legal rights under Florida law.
Contact Bounds Law Group for a confidential, free consultation. We work with experienced medical experts to determine whether earlier diagnosis and treatment could have prevented catastrophic complications. When preventable medical negligence causes life-changing harm, we are committed to helping our clients pursue accountability and the compensation they deserve.
Contact us today through our free case evaluation form or call 877-644-5122.