Diabetic Foot Medical Negligence and Claiming Compensation
Someone who is suffering with diabetes may develop a range of problems with their feet and competent medical care is essential to avoid life-changing complications. Substandard medical care, leading to permanent and debilitating problems may justify a claim for compensation.
Diabetic foot disorders
The impact of diabetes on circulation and blood sugar levels can cause a reduction in nerve sensitivity. One of the areas which can be affected by this, and which has the potential to cause severe, life-changing consequences, is the feet.
Reduced nerve function and sensitivity in the foot can mean that an infection or an injury can develop without the individual being aware. Their loss of feeling may mean that their normal sensory responses to pain do not occur and they continue to use the foot without realising that they are failing to treat a problem and are possibly making it worse.
In the long-term a failure of care of the foot can allow significant and irreversible damage to develop. It may result in the need for an amputation or may cause deformity of the foot which can, likewise, affect a person's mobility.
This, in turn, can affect a person's quality of life, the degree of physical independence they may enjoy and their ability to work. They may suffer a range of physical, emotional and financial difficulties which could have been avoided with greater awareness and better care of the foot.
Medical care of the foot
Where medical professionals have failed to provide good care of the foot or have failed to recognise the implications of a person's symptoms, resulting in loss of mobility, it may be appropriate to make a claim for compensation.
Symptoms which might indicate that there is an underlying issue with the potential to cause significant problems could include the following:
- Redness of the foot
- Swelling of the foot
- Warmth in the foot
These symptoms might suggest that the patient is in danger of developing charcot foot, where the bones suffer deformity and mobility is impaired.
Claiming compensation
If a medical professional fails to recognise the symptoms of charcot foot and fails to carry out the necessary examination, it may be possible to make a claim for any associated subsequent pain, suffering and financial problems.
If you or a family member are struggling with significant mobility problems which could have been avoided with better medical care, contact Glynns Solicitors, specialist in medical negligence law, to discuss the suitability of making a claim.
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