Compensating a Necrotising Fasciitis Misdiagnosis
Necrotising fasciitis is a medical emergency and a misdiagnosis can bring life-changing consequences for the patient and their family. It can also justify a claim for compensation.
Why is necrotising fasciitis a medical emergency?
Necrotising fasciitis, an appalling soft-tissue infection, is regarded as a medical emergency for a couple of reasons.
Firstly, as an infection which causes tissue decay, it has the capacity to cause devastating and life-threatening damage to the patient's body. From scarring and tissue loss, to amputation and death due to organ failure, this shocking illness is a terrifying diagnosis.
Secondly, the infection can spread very rapidly through the patient's body, meaning that any delay can be catastrophic. An emergency response gives the patient the best chance of survival and the best long-term outcome.
Diagnosis, misdiagnosis and medical negligence
A prompt diagnosis and timely referral to specialist intervention is crucial to a good outcome. This requires medical professionals to be able to recognise, or at least suspect, the underlying cause of their patient's symptoms. A failure to recognise the possible symptoms, such as intense pain, swelling and discolouration in the region of a cut, may be regarded as negligent.
A misdiagnosis of the patient's symptoms will almost certainly prompt a delay in the appropriate diagnosis and the necessary emergency treatment in the form of debridement surgery.
A misdiagnosis may also provide the patient with a level of reassurance which is not, in fact, appropriate to their circumstances. It may delay their attendance at hospital if their symptoms worsen and, ultimately, lead to a far worse outcome.
In summary, medical negligence may be in the form of a failure to examine, a failure to assess, a failure of knowledge and recognition, a reluctance or delay in making a referral or a delay in initiating treatment.
Claiming compensation for medical negligence
It is important to be aware the claims for compensation for medical negligence are associated with a three-year deadline from the date of the alleged negligence. A specialist solicitor will need to carry out a thorough investigation of your medical care prior to this date, engaging the expertise of the best medical specialists. This can take time so don't delay if you think you may be entitled to make a claim.
Specialist legal advice
Glynns Solicitors is a dedicated medical negligence legal practice with extensive expertise in high-value necrotising fasciitis claims.
Contact us today to speak with a solicitor, free of charge, about the possibility of making a claim.
Please call us free on 0800 234 3300 (or from a mobile 01275 334030) or complete our Online Enquiry Form.
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