Necrotising Fasciitis

Necrotising Fasciitis NHS Negligence and Compensation

Necrotising fasciitis is a medical emergency and negligent care by the NHS, leaving a patient with a poor long-term outcome, may justify a claim for compensation.

Negligent medical management of necrotising fasciitis may occur in relation to prevention, diagnosis or treatment. Any or all of these can result in life-changing and life-threatening circumstances for a patient experiencing this horrific infection.

The destructive nature of necrotising fasciitis

There are many aspects of a necrotising fasciitis infection which have the capacity to cause a severe and debilitating impact on the patient:

The infection causes the decay of all the tissue it infects and can spread swiftly through the body
Untreated the infection can cause the death of the patient
The treatment for necrotising fasciitis is surgical debridement (removal) of all infected tissue which can, in itself, cause significant scarring, deformity and even necessitate the removal of a limb
The longer treatment is delayed, the more extensive it is likely to be due to the spread of the infection and the damage to the patient’s body is likely to be greater
Most patients require more than one surgical procedure before all infected tissue is removed, with each procedure presenting its own risks

Medical management of necrotising fasciitis

It is clear, therefore, that the earliest possible diagnosis and referral for treatment is essential if the patient is to survive and experience the best possible long-term outcome.

It is also vital that, where a patient is due to undergo surgery, they should receive prophylactic antibiotics where this is deemed necessary in order to reduce the risk of infection.

Surgical incisions present a risk of necrotising fasciitis by providing a possible portal of entry for this destructive bacteria to enter the body.

Claiming compensation

The long-term effects of a severe necrotising fasciitis infection can be life-changing.

A loss of mobility or a loss of bowel function and on-going serious health issues can deprive an individual of their capacity to work, to socialise and to remain independent.

If a poor long-term outcome is caused, in full or in part, by substandard medical care, it might be appropriate to make a claim for compensation. A successful claim would take account of any financial losses caused by the negligent care.

Speak to the legal specialists

Glynns Solicitors is a dedicated medical negligence legal firm with extensive expertise in necrotising fasciitis claims. Contact us if you or a loved one are struggling to come to terms with the shocking impact of this horrific infection due to substandard medical care.

Please call us free on 0800 234 3300 (or from a mobile 01275 334030) or complete our Online Enquiry Form.