Is Necrotising Fasciitis Due to Medical Negligence?
Necrotising fasciitis is a shocking and life-threatening soft-tissue infection. If medical negligence has played a role in the patient's experience, it may be possible to make a claim for compensation.
The impact of necrotising fasciitis
The long-term impact of a necrotising fasciitis infection will vary according to the location and severity of the infection as well as the underlying health of the patient and the quality of their medical care.
In the best scenarios, the patient may be left with some tissue loss and scarring. Worse outcomes include significant tissue loss, deformity, amputation, or death.
The impact on the patient and their family can be traumatising and life-changing, causing practical, psychological and financial difficulties.
Medical negligence and necrotising fasciitis
Necrotising fasciitis is an appalling medical emergency and, where possible, its medical management needs to provide the patient with the best chance of a good outcome through prevention, monitoring and prompt and effective care. A failure in any of these roles can lead to a shocking outcome and may justify a claim for compensation.
Examples of medical failings which may be regarded as negligent and which may justify a claim for compensation could include the following:
- A failure of risk assessment and appropriate care in infection prevention which allows a patient to develop this terrible infection
- A failure of hygiene standards which allows the patient to develop necrotising fasciitis
- A failure of safety-netting in a post-operative patient, allowing the development of a soft-tissue infection
- A failure to recognise or suspect the symptoms and signs of necrotising fasciitis, leading to a delay in diagnosis
- A misdiagnosis or making a delayed referral for specialist investigation
- A delay in initiating treatment or providing inappropriate or substandard treatment
- A failure to take account of the patient's underlying health conditions and susceptibilities which contributed to a delay in diagnosis
Making a claim for medical negligence
If you or a loved one are facing a future with the consequences of a necrotising fasciitis infection which you believe to have been due, in full or in part, to negligent medical care, you should speak to a specialist in medical negligence law.
Compensation claims for negligent care are extremely complex and require the skills of an experienced lawyer.
Glynns Solicitors is a dedicated medical negligence legal practice with extensive expertise in necrotising fasciitis compensation claims.
Contact us today to speak with a solicitor 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.