Negligent Soft-tissue Infection and Claiming Compensation
Some soft-tissue infections can prove fatal and, without competent and timely medical intervention, necrotising fasciitis is one of them. If medical professionals missed opportunities to prevent, diagnose and treat this life-threatening illness, they may be regarded as negligent.
Prevention and diagnosis of necrotising fasciitis
Necrotising fasciitis can sometimes develop following a surgical procedure where the incision into the skin allows the causative bacteria to access the soft tissue. If medical professionals fail to consider the risk of infection, fail to carry out an infection risk assessment or fail to provide prophylactic antibiotics prior to a surgical procedure, resulting in the development of infection, they may be regarded as negligent.
If a patient presents to a medical professional, whether at the GP surgery or in Accident and Emergency or following surgery, with the possible symptoms of this appalling infection, it is essential that this terrible infection is considered as a possible diagnosis. A delay or misdiagnosis may prove fatal.
Symptoms which might indicate that the patient is developing necrotising fasciitis could include the following:
- A cut, graze, wound or surgical incision which may act as a portal of entry for bacteria
- Intense pain which seems disproportionate to the wound
- Swelling and tenderness in the region of the wound
- Discolouration of the skin
- Symptoms of infection such as a high temperature and fast heartbeat
When is it possible to claim compensation?
If medical negligence such as a delay in diagnosis or treatment, or inappropriate management of the condition, causes the patient to suffer a worse outcome than would otherwise have been the case, they are legally entitled to make a claim for compensation.
A claim for compensation will address the impact of the negligence such as loss of earnings or costs of care.
However, it is important to remember that claims for compensation need to be initiated within three years of the date of the alleged negligence. If you or a loved one have been the victim of negligent medical care, do not delay. A specialist solicitor will need plenty of time before this deadline in which to investigate the quality of your medical care.
Speak to a legal specialist
Glynns Solicitors is a dedicated medical negligence legal practice with a team of experienced lawyers, all of whom specialise in this complex area of the law.
If you believe that you or a loved one may have been the victim of negligent medical care, contact us to talk to a solicitor, free of charge, about the possibility of making a claim.
Please call us free on 0800 234 3300 (or from a mobile 01275 334030) or complete our Online Enquiry Form.
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