Sepsis Delays and Claiming Compensation for Medical Negligence
Dealing with sepsis is a medical emergency and a failure by medical professionals to recognise the signs may be regarded as negligent.
Sepsis and septic shock
If a patient is suspected of having sepsis or septic shock, it is recommended that antibiotics are administered intravenously within one hour. Where septic shock is not present, antibiotics are still recommended within three hours of diagnosis or suspicion of a diagnosis.
Sepsis, a dysfunctional immune system reaction to infection can cause the body to shut down. The patient could suffer multiple organ failure and die. A family may lose a loved one in a very short time if medical care is not sufficiently timely or appropriate in its methods.
Patients who survive can continue to suffer life-changing and debilitating symptoms in the long term. This can include fatigue, cognitive difficulties, muscle aches, breathlessness and even visual losses.
Prompt, professional and efficient medical care is key to a good outcome.
Claiming compensation
If a patient suffers a poor outcome due to substandard medical care, they are entitled to make a claim for compensation. This would address not only the patient's pain and suffering, but would also address any financial losses experienced by the patient due to their poor-quality care. For example, if a patient is no longer able to work or is restricted in their earning capacity due to their on-going symptoms, these financial losses would be taken into account, as would the costs of care necessary because of their symptoms.
However, it is important to remember that claims for compensation need to be initiated within three years of the date of the alleged negligence. Don't hesitate to get specialist legal advice if you believe that you or a loved one have been the victim of negligent medical care.
Negligent care
If substandard medical care contributes to a patient's development of sepsis, delays their diagnosis and treatment or in some way adds to their poor outcome, the relevant medical professionals may be regarded as having been negligent.
Specialist legal advice
Compensation claims for medical negligence are highly complex and require the skills of a specialist solicitor who can access the best medical experts to assess the quality of a patient's care.
Glynns Solicitors is a dedicated medical negligence legal practice with a team of experienced lawyers. Contact us to talk to a legal specialist free of charge if you are considering making a claim for compensation.
Glynns Solicitors is a dedicated medical negligence legal practice with extensive expertise in this highly-specialised field. Contact us today if you or a family member have been the victim of substandard medical care.
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