Misdiagnosis Negligence and Compensation for Necrotising Fasciitis
A misdiagnosis of the symptoms of necrotising fasciitis may justify a claim for compensation if the patient suffers as a result.
Diagnosing necrotising fasciitis
Symptoms which might be indicative of a necrotising fasciitis infection include intense pain, especially in the region of a cut or incision to the skin, redness and swelling and tenderness in the same region.
This life-threatening infection can be difficult to diagnose so a high suspicion is necessary by medical professionals to ensure that further investigations are carried out and a misdiagnosis is not made. Any delay in the initiation of treatment will allow the infection time to spread through the body's connective tissue, causing increasing tissue decay and necessitating the removal of greater areas of tissue. An individual who is suffering with necrotising fasciitis in the limbs may even find that one or more amputations are necessary to prevent the further spread of the infection. In the worst cases, the patient may die.
Negligence and necrotising fasciitis
If a medical professional provides a misdiagnosis of the patient's symptoms when a more competent practitioner would have recognised the possibility of a necrotising fasciitis diagnosis, leading to an emergency referral, the relevant professional may be regarded as having provided substandard care.
The long-term impact of necrotising fasciitis can be utterly life-changing and where this is, in full or in part, due to negligence on the part of health professionals, the patient would be legally entitled to make a claim for compensation.
A successful compensation claim will address not only the patient's pain and suffering but also incorporate any financial losses which are considered to be the result of the negligence.
For example, if the patient is unable to work due to their on-going symptoms, the associated loss of income would be included in a claim.
Speak to a legal specialist
The consequences of a necrotising fasciitis infection can be many and varied, distressing and deeply debilitating. The complexity of the impact on the patient requires specialist assessment if a compensation claim is to be undertaken.
If you are considering making a claim for compensation, a specialist solicitor will have access to the best medical experts who can analyse the quality of your medical care and assess its impact on you.
Glynns Solicitors is a dedicated medical negligence legal practice with a team of experienced lawyers and extensive expertise in necrotising fasciitis claims.
Contact us today to speak with a solicitor, free of charge, about the possibility of making a 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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