Hospital Acquired Infection and When to Claim Compensation
If you or a loved one have been severely affected by a hospital-acquired infection, it may be possible to make a claim for compensation which can help you to deal with the difficulties which you may now be facing.
The right to compensation for negligent care
If a patient suffers a poor long-term outcome due to negligence or substandard medical care, they are legally entitled to claim compensation for the consequences of that negligence.
A medical negligence legal expert will need to establish firstly that a breach of duty or negligent care actually took place and, secondly, that it caused the patient o experience symptoms and associated difficulties which would not have been the case with an acceptable level of care.
Negligent hospital infection
Unfortunately, patients in hospital occasionally develop an infection during their stay. In many circumstances, this may have little or no long-term effect. In a few cases, however, the impact can be physically, psychologically and financially devastating. Occasionally, the patient may even die.
Examples of negligent medical care which may leave a patient with a severe and possibly life-threatening infection could include the following:
- A failure to carry out a risk assessment, leaving the patient susceptible to infection
- A failure to administer prophylactic antibiotics when appropriate, allowing the patient to succumb to infection
- A failure of hygiene or a failure to follow healthcare guidelines, increasing the patient's risk of infection
- A failure to recognise the symptoms of infection, delaying treatment and compromising the patient's recovery
The consequences of a hospital infection
A hospital-acquired infection can cause an astonishing array of life-changing complications including the loss of a limb, sepsis, organ failure, sight losses, respiratory problems and psychological difficulties.
An individual's entire quality of life can be compromised by symptoms of such severity. They may no longer be able to work or may become dependent on care.
The financial losses or costs associated with such an appalling outcome can be considerable.
If it is found that the infection or its delayed or inappropriate treatment had been due to negligent medical care, it could be appropriate to make a claim for compensation for the financial losses experienced.
Speak to a legal specialist
Compensation claims for medical negligence are extremely complex and require the skills and support of a legal specialist.
Glynns Solicitors is a dedicated medical negligence legal practice with a team of experienced lawyers.
Contact us today to speak with a solicitor, free of charge, about the possibility of making a claim for compensation.
Please call us free on 0800 234 3300 or complete our Online Enquiry Form.
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