Missed Sepsis Symptoms and Compensation for Negligence
A failure to diagnose sepsis promptly and take appropriate medical action can be life-threatening. It may be possible to make a claim for compensation.
Responding to possible sepsis
Responding to sepsis can be a medical emergency. A delay in treatment can allow the patient to suffer multiple organ failure and die. Patients who survive severe sepsis can experience long-term debilitating health problems.
Early assessment and diagnosis are essential to identify the urgency of the patient's condition and ensure that treatment is initiated, often required within one hour of diagnosis. The sooner appropriate treatment is commenced, the better the long-term outcome for the patient is likely to be.
The right to compensation
If a patient suffers an adverse outcome following substandard or negligent medical care, they are legally entitled to make a claim for compensation. A delay in diagnosing and treating sepsis might well be considered as substandard care.
The consequences of a delay in treating sepsis can cause a significant reduction in the quality of the patient's life if they have suffered organ damage or if they continue to suffer from post-sepsis syndrome.
If the patient experiences a loss of income or incurs costs of care due to their negligent medical treatment, a successful compensation claim would address these financial losses.
If a patient dies from sepsis due to negligent delays in diagnosis and treatment, it may also be appropriate for their dependants to make a claim for the relevant financial losses.
Sepsis symptoms and signs
A patient who may be suffering from sepsis is likely to be experiencing the following symptoms and signs:
- Breathlessness
- Slurred speech or confusion
- Extreme shivering
- Mottled or discoloured skin
- Lack of urination
- Feeling severely unwell
Sepsis is a response to an infection in the body, often a respiratory or urinary infection or peritonitis. The patient may be recovering from surgery in hospital or they may be presenting to their medical professional in an out-of-hospital setting.
Any sign, symptom or suspicion of sepsis should trigger a prompt medical response to assess the development of the illness, the threat to the patient and the necessary urgency of response. Any delay may be regarded as negligent.
Claiming compensation
Compensation claims for medical negligence are extremely complex and require the skills of a specialist lawyer.
If you or a loved one are suffering the effects of a delay in diagnosing and treating sepsis, contact Glynns Solicitors, specialist in medical negligence law. One of our team of experienced lawyers will be very happy to talk to you, free of charge, about the possibility of making a claim.
Please call us free on 0800 234 3300 or complete our Online Enquiry Form.
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