Suing the NHS for Sepsis due to Undiagnosed Diverticulitis
The diagnosis and treatment of diverticulitis is key to avoiding a possible severe and life-threatening illness. If medical professionals failed to respond promptly to your symptoms, it may be appropriate to make a claim for compensation.
The progress of diverticular disease
The symptoms of diverticulitis require a skilled and efficient response in order to identify the underlying cause before the patient's bowel is ruptured, threatening their life.
Diverticulitis is a development of diverticular disease which causes small bulges or pouches (diverticula) to form in the lining of the large intestine. If one of these pouches becomes infected, the patient may start to experience symptoms of intense abdominal pain, nausea and a high temperature.
The patient requires a diagnosis of diverticulitis and a referral for prompt investigation, such as a colonoscopy.
An early diagnosis will often mean that the patient's symptoms can be resolved with antibiotics. If a diagnosis is not forthcoming, however, the patient's condition can deteriorate, leaving them to suffer a perforation of the bowel.
Sepsis and diverticulitis
This can be a life-threatening emergency situation as the tear allows bacterial faecal matter to leak from the inside of the bowel through to the interior of the abdomen. This can prompt an infection in the lining of the abdomen, the peritoneum, which can trigger a sepsis response, threatening the major organs and life of the patient.
Where medical professionals have the opportunity to diagnose this life-threatening condition but fail to do so, they might be regarded as having provided a substandard level of care.
If the patient suffers significant and long-term problems as a result, it might be appropriate to make a claim for compensation.
Patients who have survived sepsis may struggle with a range of severe, permanent problems such as organ damage and dysfunction, loss of a digit or limb, blindness, cognitive problems and fatigue amongst other debilitating effects.
Medical negligence
Not surprisingly, returning to work after such a traumatic experience may not be possible and this is where a successful compensation claim can make a major difference to someone's life.
If medical delays are found to have contributed to the patient's long-term pain, suffering and financial losses, a compensation claim may be appropriate.
Speak to a solicitor
If you or a loved one are suffering the long-term, significant impact of sepsis due to undiagnosed diverticulitis, contact Glynns to discuss your situation with a specialist medical negligence solicitor and discover whether you can sue the NHS for compensation.
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