Abscess Negligence and When to Claim for Necrotising Fasciitis Impact
Medical treatment of an abscess may seem a relatively straightforward matter but, when it goes wrong, and care is less scrupulous than it should be, the patient can be left with a life threatening soft-tissue infection. When is it appropriate to make a claim for compensation?
The devastation of a necrotising fasciitis infection
Necrotising fasciitis is a devastating infection and a medical emergency. What may originate with an abscess or a pressure sore can rapidly escalate to a widespread infection, spreading through the body and threatening the patient with disability, amputation and even death due to multiple organ failure.
The reason why competent care of an abscess is so important is down to the fact that an abscess or a pressure sore can give bacteria a means of access to the interior of the body, triggering an infection and risking the development of sepsis.
It is crucial both that an abscess receives competent treatment and that any signs and symptoms of infection are recognised and responded to promptly.
Medical negligence, abscess care and necrotising fasciitis
A delay in the recognition and treatment of necrotising fasciitis is likely to cause the patient suffer a worse long-term outcome.
Examples of possible negligence in the treatment of an abscess could include the following:
- A failure to recognise that a patient has an abscess, or a misdiagnosis of the same
- A failure to provide antibiotics when that would be regarded as appropriate
- A failure to drain an abscess when that would be regarded as necessary
- A failure to refer a patient for specialist care
- A failure to recognise the symptoms of a soft-tissue infection
The impact of necrotising fasciitis
Depending on a wide range of factors such as the stage at which the infection is treated, the underlying health of the patient and the extent of tissue debridement required, the impact of necrotising fasciitis on the life of the patient can vary considerably.
There is no 'one size fits all' scenario but the impact can often be life-changing, leaving the patient with scarring, deformity, disability and long-term physical and psychological problems.
Making a claim for compensation
If a patient suffers a poor outcome due to negligent medical care, they are legally entitled to claim compensation for the consequences. This can include a loss of earnings as well as the costs of care or equipment where this is necessary.
Speak to a specialist
Glynns Solicitors is a dedicated medical negligence legal practice with a team of specialist lawyers and extensive expertise in necrotising fasciitis claims.
Contact us today to talk to a solicitor, free of charge, if you or a loved one are struggling with the impact of necrotising fasciitis due to negligent medical care.
We can offer No Win No Fee funding for medical negligence claims which we will discuss with you during your free initial telephone discussion.
Please call us free on 0800 234 3300 (or from a mobile 01275 334030) or complete our Online Enquiry Form.
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