Compensation for Untreated Diverticulitis Complications
A failure to treat diverticulitis can allow severe abdominal conditions to develop which may threaten the life of the patient. Where such failure is due to inaction by medical professionals, it may be appropriate to make a claim for compensation.
What is diverticulitis?
Diverticulitis is a complication of diverticulosis where the patient has developed diverticula (or pouches) in the lining of the intestines. These pouches may never cause any symptoms but, on occasion, they can become infected and inflamed, causing considerable pain. Untreated, this unpleasant condition can cause the lining of the bowel to rupture, allowing bacterial matter to leak into the abdominal cavity.
A ruptured bowel
When the bowel or the digestive tract splits, the contents of the intestine can spill into the abdomen and cause an infection of the peritoneum.
This, in turn, can trigger sepsis and all the horrific complications which that condition can cause, including multiple organ failure and death.
A patient with a ruptured bowel is a medical emergency and may require life-support in an intensive support unit.
Surgery will probably be necessary to try to resolve the damage done to the digestive tract and the patient may need to undergo a colostomy operation in order to provide bowel function if severe damage has been caused.
Diagnosis and treatment of diverticulitis is, therefore, essential to the long-term well-being of the patient.
Symptoms of diverticular disease and diverticulitis
Abdominal pain, accompanied by diarrhoea or constipation may indicate that the patient is suffering with diverticular disease.
If the condition has become infected, the patient is likely to experience more severe pain as well as a high temperature.
Abdominal pain and altered bowel function can have a variety of causes and it is important that the correct underlying cause is identified and treated in order to avoid severe long-term complications.
If a patient is suffering an acute attack of diverticulitis, they may need to be hospitalised immediately. They may require intravenous antibiotics to resolve the infection and prevent a perforation of the bowel.
Medical negligence
If medical professionals fail to investigate a patient's diverticular symptoms, allowing the patient to deteriorate and suffer apoor long-term outcome, they may be regarded as having provided substandard care.
A failure to treat diverticulitis can be life-threatening and may justify the commencement of a claim for compensation.
Speak to a solicitor
If you or a loved one are suffering severe long-term problems due to a failure to diagnose or treat diverticulitis, contact Glynns today to talk to a specialist medical negligence solicitor.
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