Claiming Compensation for Sepsis Negligence
Preventing, diagnosing and treating sepsis are all crucial to saving lives. A failure in any of these actions can prove fatal and may justify a claim for compensation.
The latest figures form World Sepsis Day suggest that at least eleven million people die from sepsis worldwide each year. In the UK it is believed that around 10,000 lives could be saved every year with more prompt diagnosis and treatment of this deadly infection.
Even when a patient survives sepsis, World Sepsis Day statistics suggest that up to 50% suffer long-term physical or psychological effects.
Where medical professionals have failed to prevent, diagnose or provide suitable treatment for sepsis, when the opportunity was there, they may regarded as having provided substandard care. It may be appropriate to make a claim for compensation.
Prevention
- If medical professionals are instrumental in the development of sepsis due to errors during surgical procedures such as an accidental perforation of the bowel, they may be considered to have been negligent
- If medical professionals fail to protect 'at-risk' patients from sepsis by failing to administer prophylactic antibiotics when it would generally have been considered appropriate, they may be seen as having provided substandard care
- If the quality of care of a patient in hospital means that they develop an infection, leading to sepsis, it may be appropriate to make a claim for compensation
Diagnosis
If the symptoms of sepsis, such as fever or shivering, breathlessness and confusion are missed or misdiagnosed by medical professionals, treatment may be delayed and the patient may suffer significant long-term consequences.
Treatment
A patient who is developing sepsis requires emergency treatment in the form of intravenous antibiotics within an hour of diagnosis. They may need life-support if their organs are failing. They may need blood tests to identify the underlying infection which has caused their sepsis response.
Every delay is likely to mean a deterioration in the patient's condition and a poorer long-term outcome. It is likely to increase the chance that the patient will die.
Medical negligence
You or a loved one may be struggling with the long-term effects of sepsis. The physical, emotional, practical and financial burden can be huge. If medical failings have contributed to this outcome, it may be appropriate to make a claim for compensation. This can provide recompense for the pain, suffering and financial losses caused by the negligence.
Contact Glynns Solicitors if you would like to talk to a specialist medical negligence solicitor.
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