Necrotising Fasciitis Misdiagnosis Claim
If you or a loved one are suffering with a poor outcome from a necrotising fasciitis infection due to a delay in diagnosis, you may be able to make a compensation claim.
The impact of a misdiagnosis
Necrotising fasciitis needs to be diagnosed as promptly as possible. Where a patient attends their GP or Accident and Emergency unit with possible symptoms of necrotising fasciitis, medical professionals should have a high suspicion of the infection and refer the patient for immediate investigation if they think they may be developing the potentially-fatal condition.
A failure to recognise the implications of the patient's symptoms or a misdiagnosis, leading to a delay in treatment can cause the patient to experience a traumatic stay in hospital and a shocking long-term impact. In some cases, the patient may die. Necrotising fasciitis is a virulent infection and any delay may cost the patient their life.
In our experience, this condition is frequently misdiagnosed. The patient may be told that they have cellulitis, deep vein thrombosis, muscular pain or even constipation.
Developing necrotising fasciitis
Necrotising fasciitis most frequently develops when bacteria which may otherwise be relatively harmless, enter the deep soft tissue of the body through a cut to the skin. This may be caused by any form of wound such as a gardening accident, an injection or a surgical incision.
Necrotising fasciitis can also develop internally when an underlying condition such as appendicitis is not treated in time and the bowel ruptures allowing bacteria to enter the abdominal cavity.
Generally, however, the early symptoms of necrotising fasciitis relate to the area of a cut, graze or other incision. The patient will start to feel intense pain in the region of the wound along with swelling, redness and tenderness.
As the infection develops, the patient may find that their temperature rises and they start to breathe more rapidly.
Responding to necrotising fasciitis
If medical professionals think you may have necrotising fasciitis, you will need emergency treatment in hospital. You will probably require immediate intravenous antibiotics and blood tests to try to identify the bacteria which is the cause of the infection.
Most importantly, surgery will be needed to remove all traces of the infection from the body. Any delay to this is likely to cause the patient to suffer a greater degree of infection, to need a more extensive surgical removal of tissue and to experience a debilitating, long-term outcome.
Making a compensation claim
If a patient suffers a significantly worse outcome from their necrotising fasciitis infection due to a misdiagnosis or delay in treatment, it may be appropriate to make a claim for compensation.
Here at Glynns Solicitors we have supported numerous claims for negligence with regard to this appalling infection. Contact us to talk to a specialist medical negligence solicitor if you or a loved one are experiencing on-going problems due to substandard care in relation to necrotising fasciitis. We will be happy to advise you.
Please call us free on 0800 234 3300 (or from a mobile 01275 334030) or complete our Online Enquiry Form.
Make An Enquiry
Why Choose Us
- Specialist medical negligence solicitors
- Free initial enquiries
- No win, no fee available
Reviews
Our Expertise
Helping Clients Across England & Wales
