Compensation For Long-term Symptoms of Necrotising Fasciitis
The long-term impact of necrotising fasciitis can be utterly debilitating and life-changing. If such a severe outcome is due to unnecessary medical delays, it might be appropriate to make a claim for compensation.
Long-term effects of necrotising fasciitis
The long-term symptoms of necrotising fasciitis are likely to vary from patient to patient depending on the location of the infection, the extent of the infection, the degree of debridement necessary to halt the infection and the patient's underlying state of health.
At least, the patient will suffer a degree of scarring to the body. This is most likely to be around the abdomen, perineum or the limbs as these are the most common locations to be affected by the necrotising fasciitis infection.
If the duration and impact of the infection has been severe, however, the patient may suffer the following permanent effects:
- Loss of a lower limb and associated limited mobility
- Loss of a hand or upper limb and the associated restrictions
- Loss of sexual function if the perineum and genitals have been affected
- Loss of bowel function if the abdomen or perineum has been damaged, and the need for a colostomy
- The trauma of a necrotising fasciitis infection and the aggressive tissue debridement which is necessary to combat it can also cause significant psychological distress.
The on-going and life-changing impact of effects such as these will inevitably be severe, limiting an individual's capacity to work, restricting their degree of independence and putting a strain on their personal relationships.
Of course, for many patients, recovery is not the outcome. Necrotising fasciitis is a virulent infection with a high mortality rate.
Medical negligence
The speed with which this appalling infection can spread through the body demands early diagnosis and emergency treatment. The sooner a patient undergoes treatment, the greater their chance of survival and the less traumatic their long-term outcome is likely to be.
- If medical professionals had the opportunity to diagnose, or at least suspect, that the patient was suffering from necrotising fasciitis, but failed to recognise or act on the symptoms, they may be regarded as having provided substandard care.
- If patients who would generally be considered as at-risk of succumbing to a severe infection have not received appropriate management in hospital, such as prophylactic antibiotics, their medical practitioners may be considered to have acted negligently
Speak to a solicitor
If you or a loved one are struggling with the shocking long-term impact of necrotising fasciitis due to medical delays or negligence, contact Glynns Solicitors to discuss your situation with a specialist medical negligence solicitor.
Please call us free on 0800 234 3300 (or from a mobile 01275 334030) or complete our Online Enquiry Form.
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