Claiming Compensation for Negligent Care of Fournier's Gangrene
If medical professionals provide negligent or substandard care, causing a patient to suffer long-term problems, the patient is entitled to make a claim for compensation. But what constitutes negligent care of fournier's gangrene?
Why does fournier's gangrene matter?
Fournier's gangrene is a form of necrotising fasciitis which is specific to the perineal, perianal and genital area of the body. As well as scarring and deformity, it can cause sexual dysfunction and permanent bowel problems.
It is an infection of the body's deep soft tissue which can spread at an alarming rate, causing all infected tissue to decay and die. It has the capacity to cause multiple organ failure and death if treatment is delayed.
It is a debilitating and destructive illness, the treatment for which can cause further disability.
Medical care of fournier's gangrene
Appropriate medical care of fournier's gangrene requires diagnosis as early as possible and immediate debridement of all infected tissue. This means that all damaged tissue must be surgically removed from the body.
The patient also requires intravenous antibiotics and considerable medical support as the body combats the infection and copes with the impact of the debridement surgery.
Prompt intervention gives the patient the best chance of a positive outcome and minimum disability.
Medical negligence and compensation claims
Fournier's gangrene is fairly rare and, although this is a good thing, it does mean that it is not necessarily at the forefront of a doctor's mind when a patient presents with symptoms. Consequently, substandard care can occur in a number of ways:
- A failure to suspect fournier's gangrene, leading to a misdiagnosis. This may also mean that the patient is not given any red flag warnings and therefore fails to go to hospital when their condition worsens
- A failure to carry out a thorough assessment of the patient, meaning that an accurate diagnosis of fournier's gangrene is delayed
- A failure to refer a patient for immediate further investigation, leading to a delay in the commencement of debridement surgery
- A delay in surgery, allowing the infection to spread and cause further damage
The impact of fournier's gangrene
Both the infection and the necessary surgery can cause significant physical problems. This can have a significant impact on the patient's quality of life and ability to work.
The psychological impact can be devastating also.
Speak to a legal specialist
If you or a loved one are struggling due to the effects of substandard medical care of fournier's gangrene, contact Glynns Solicitors, specialists in medical negligence law, we are ideally situated to give you the best support in pursuing your claim for compensation.
Please call us free on 0800 234 3300 (or from a mobile 01275 334030) or complete our Online Enquiry Form.
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