Septic Arthritis Medical Negligence and Compensation
Septic arthritis requires urgent diagnosis and treatment if it is not to cause long-term disability and health problems. A failure by medical professionals to provide a suitable response may justify a claim for compensation.
Long-term implications of medical negligence
Septic arthritis can be successfully treated with antibiotics. A delay in diagnosis and treatment, however, can lead to an array of problems which may prove to be permanently disabling.
- The patient may require surgery to drain the infection, with all the attendant risks involved
- If the infection has developed in a replacement joint, it may need to be removed in order to resolve the infection, followed by further surgery to replace the joint if possible
- The patient's long-term mobility may be affected through permanent joint damage or they may even require an amputation
- The patient may develop sepsis which can be life-threatening
The impact on an individual's life can be devastating, affecting their ability to work, to drive, to mobilise and to remain independent.
If such a shocking outcome is due to negligent medical care, it may be appropriate to make a claim for compensation.
Diagnosis and treatment
Septic arthritis is caused by bacteria or a virus reaching a joint through the bloodstream and is most likely to occur following and injury or surgery where an opportunity has arisen for the relevant microbes to reach the bloodstream.
If medical professionals are faced with a patient who is experiencing symptoms of sudden, severe joint pain, perhaps alongside discolouration and swelling, they should consider this possible diagnosis.
A failure to suspect this life-threatening infection and a failure to refer a patient for immediate investigation and blood tests may lead to a very poor outcome.
A positive diagnosis should lead to prompt treatment with antibiotics.
Claiming compensation
If a patient suffers long-term difficulties due to poor-quality medical care, which they would not have suffered with an acceptable level of care, they are legally entitled to make a claim for compensation.
A successful claim will take account not only of the patient's pain, suffering and loss of amenity, but it will also address the matter of financial losses, both past and future. For example, if the symptoms caused by the negligence have reduced the hours which a person can work, that loss of income would be included in the claim.
Speak to a legal specialist
Compensation claims for medical negligence are extremely complex, requiring experience and expertise in this highly-specialised field of law.
Contact Glynns Solicitors, a dedicated medical negligence legal practice to speak with a specialist, free of charge, if you or a loved one have been affected by the impact of negligent care of septic arthritis.
Please call us free on 0800 234 3300 or complete our Online Enquiry Form.
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