Necrotising Fasciitis and Medical Negligence, An Overview
A patient whose long-term outcome is detrimentally affected by substandard medical care is legally entitled to make a claim for compensation. How does this work with necrotising fasciitis?
The complexity of necrotising fasciitis claims
Necrotising fasciitis can sometimes be the focus of a compensation claim for medical negligence for a number of reasons:
- It is fairly rare and therefore its symptoms are not always recognised for what they are
- It is not always clear in the early stages that the patient is developing necrotising fasciitis and so a high degree of suspicion and a willingness to refer the patient for further investigation is essential
- The physical impact of a necrotising fasciitis infection can be both varied and devastating, complicating the assessment of the value of the patient's claim
- It is a virulent infection which spreads rapidly through the body causing decay and destruction as it goes, and therefore requires prompt medical attention
Negligence in the medical management of necrotising fasciitis
Timing and competent care are essential to the best outcome from this life-threatening infection. Medical practitioners may be regarded as negligent in the following circumstances:
- A failure to carry out a thorough examination and assessment
- A failure to suspect or recognise the possible symptoms of necrotising fasciitis or fournier's gangrene, a perineal version of this appalling illness
- A failure to make a referral for specialist investigation
- A misdiagnosis of the symptoms, causing a delay in achieving an accurate diagnosis
- A delay in initiating treatment in the form of antibiotics and surgical debridement of all infected tissue
Every delay can worsen the patient's long-term outcome, compromising their physical integrity and the psychological health.
Compensation for necrotising fasciitis
Where a claim succeeds, the compensation which the patient receives depends on the extent to which negligence was a factor and the impact of the patient's symptoms on their quality of life.
The consequences of necrotising fasciitis can range from scarring and tissue loss to significant disability, compromised bowel function, limb amputation, the triggering of sepsis and its attendant complications and, in the worse scenarios, the death of the patient.
A successful claim would address the financial losses, both past and future insofar as they have been caused by the negligence. For example, a loss of income or the costs of care, specialist treatment and equipment could be included where appropriate.
Speak to a legal specialist
These complicated claims require the best specialist legal advice.
Glynns Solicitors is a dedicated medical negligence law firm with extensive experience in necrotising fasciitis claims.
We can offer No Win No Fee funding for medical negligence claims which we will discuss with you during your free initial telephone discussion.
Please call us free on 0800 234 3300 (or from a mobile 01275 334030) or complete our Online Enquiry Form.
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