Treatment Delays in Necrotising Fasciitis and How to Claim Compensation
A medical delay in initiating treatment for necrotising fasciitis may justify a claim for compensation if the patient suffers a worse outcome as a result.
The timing of treatment for necrotising fasciitis
Necrotising fasciitis is a medical emergency. Once a diagnosis is achieved or suspected, the patient requires further investigation and treatment as quickly as possible.
A delay in diagnosis and treatment can prove fatal. The bacteria responsible for necrotising fasciitis cause the decay of all infected tissue. Furthermore, once it has accessed the body's deep, soft tissue, the infection can spread through the body rapidly, threatening the patient's long-term well-being. Without prompt medical intervention, the patient may die.
Any delay is likely to compromise the patient's health and physical integrity, increasing the extent of the infection and necessitating greater tissue removal.
The nature of treatment for necrotising fasciitis
In conjunction with the administration of antibiotics, the surgical removal of all infected tissue is crucial to the patient's survival. It is often necessary for the patient to undergo several debridement procedures in order to ensure that the infection has been resolved.
The patient may then need to undergo further surgery to restore the areas of their body which have been ravaged by both the infection and the debridement procedures.
A patient can be left with permanent, severe disability as well as scarring, deformity and psychological trauma.
Medical negligence
Medical professionals may be regarded as negligent is they are responsible for a delay in diagnosis, a misdiagnosis, a delay in treatment or inappropriate management of the patient in some way. If the patient suffers as a result of the medical delay, it may be appropriate to claim compensation for the impact of that negligence.
A successful compensation claim would incorporate the losses experienced by the patient, such as a loss of income or the costs of care, in so far as they have been caused by the negligent care.
Speak to a legal specialist
Glynns Solicitors is a dedicated medical negligence legal practice with a team of experienced, specialist lawyers. We have supported numerous clients in achieving a fair settlement following negligent medical care of this debilitating and virulent infection.
If you or a loved one have been the victim of negligent medical care of necrotising fasciitis, contact us today to talk to a solicitor, free of charge, about the possibility of making a claim for compensation.
Please call us free on 0800 234 3300 (or from a mobile 01275 334030) or complete our Online Enquiry Form.
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