A woman in the UK has died after contracting a rare flesh-eating disease.

Earlier this month it was reported that Sarah Tinay, from Princes Risborough, died of necrotising fasciitis.

After complaining of shoulder pain, doctors told the 32-year-old mother that she had a frozen shoulder.

Sadly the misdiagnosis prevented her from receiving the treatment she urgently needed. She died just days later when the infection got into her bloodstream.

A rare condition

Necrotising fasciitis is a rare condition, and according to Public Health England there are only 500 cases in the UK each year.

Even so, medical professionals should be able to recognise the symptoms of a severe infection and provide immediate treatment.

If treated in the early stages, the infection can be successfully cured. Any delays will see the bacteria kill the body’s soft tissues, resulting in a large area of dead tissue.

If the bacteria spread to the bloodstream, it can cause septic shock, organ failure and death.

Necrotising fasciitis and medical negligence

If medical professionals fail to diagnose necrotising fasciitis and provide treatment in a timely fashion, there could be grounds for a medical negligence compensation claim.

This is because any reasonably competent doctor should be able to recognise the symptoms of an infection and use their expertise to reach an accurate diagnosis. If there is a failure to do so and this leads to further injury – such as a severe defect or a fatality – there will be a case of medical negligence.

To find out more about claiming compensation for necrotising fasciitis, please do not hesitate to get in touch with us today. We specialise in necrotising fasciitis claims and can help you or your loved one pursue legal action for the damages incurred.

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