Debridement and Disability - Necrotising Fasciitis Negligence and Compensation
Severe deformity and disability can be the long-term outcome of treatment for a necrotising fasciitis infection. If more competent, timely and appropriate medical care would have ensured a better outcome, it may be possible to claim compensation for the consequences of negligence.
A life-threatening infection
Surgical removal of all infected tissue is crucial to a positive outcome from necrotising fasciitis. Without this, the patient is unlikely to survive as this medical emergency is associated with a high level of mortality.
Inevitably, debridement leaves the patient with, at best, scarring and, at worst, significant loss of tissue, deformity, disfigurement and disability. It may compromise their bowel function, their sexual function, threaten their organ function and, occasionally, cause the loss of a limb.
At a simple level, the more tissue that is infected, the more tissue will need to be removed and the greater deformity and disability the patient will suffer. The consequences on their health, well-being, and quality of life will be the greater. The psychological impact is likely to be more severe and the financial consequences on their life will be more significant.
Negligent medical care
Therefore, medical professionals need to ensure that a patient with necrotising fasciitis is diagnosed as early in the progress of the infection as possible and that treatment is initiated at the earliest possible moment. This will serve to minimise the impact on the patient and provide them with the best chance of recovery and the best long-term quality of life.
However, necrotising fasciitis is a fairly rare condition and recognition of the symptoms and understanding of the emergency nature of the patient's condition may be lacking.
This can result in a severe deterioration both in terms of the patient's immediate condition and in terms of their long-term outcome. At worst, the patient may die.
Examples of negligent medical care which may cause a delay in the process of diagnosis could include a failure to recognise symptoms, a failure to examine the patient adequately, a misdiagnosis of the patient's symptoms, a failure to seek specialist advice, a failure to make a timely referral and a failure to treat an abscess appropriately.
Specialist legal advice
Compensation claims for medical negligence are extremely complex. If you are thinking of making a claim, it is essential that you get advice from a specialist solicitor. They will be able to assess your medical care and advise you as to whether or not you may have a claim.
Contact Glynns Solicitors, specialists in medical negligence law, to speak with a solicitor, free of charge, about the possibility of making a claim for compensation.
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