Can I Claim Compensation for Disability after Necrotising Fasciitis?
If your disability has been caused or contributed to by negligent medical care, it may be appropriate to make a claim for compensation.
Compensation claims
If a patient suffers a worse medical outcome than should have been the case, due to substandard medical care, the law entitles them to make a claim for compensation. In addition to addressing issues of pain and suffering, a successful compensation claim will take account of any financial losses experienced by the patient which would not have arisen but for the negligence. For example, if the individual is no longer able to work, or is restricted in the type or duration of employment they can manage, their compensation claim would include that financial loss.
Necrotising fasciitis and disability
Necrotising fasciitis is a virulent soft-tissue infection which can rapidly cause dramatic deformity and disability to the patient.
As this bacterial infection spreads through the body, it causes the death of all tissue it infects. This can result in significant loss of body tissue. The surgery required to combat this appalling illness also requires the removal of all affected areas and can, in itself, cause further damage to the body. For example, necrotising fasciitis in a limb, either a leg or arm, can necessitate the surgical removal of that limb in order to halt further spread of the infection.
Medical negligence
It is clear that, in order to avoid the worst ravages of this appalling infection, early diagnosis and early treatment are essential.
If medical professionals, in either primary or secondary care, fail in their management of necrotising fasciitis, leaving the patient with permanent avoidable disability, they may be regarded as having been negligent in their care and a compensation claim may be a helpful way forward.
- A failure to provide prophylactic antibiotics prior to surgery, allowing a patient to develop this life-threatening infection may be regarded as negligent
- A failure to recognise or suspect the symptoms of necrotising fasciitis may be regarded a substandard care
- A failure of hygiene or care, allowing a patient to develop this appalling infection may be regarded as negligent
- A delay in initiating treatment may be regarded as negligent.
Speak to a solicitor
If you or a family member are struggling with disability due to negligent medical care of a necrotising fasciitis infection, contact Glynns Solicitors.
Specialists in medical negligence compensation, we have the expertise to advise as to the validity of your claim.
Please call us free on 0800 234 3300 (or from a mobile 01275 334030) or complete our Online Enquiry Form.