Necrotising Fasciitis

Necrotising Fasciitis Treatment Delays and Claiming Compensation

A delay in initiating treatment for necrotising fasciitis can prove catastrophic and may justify a claim for compensation.

Why is necrotising fasciitis a medical emergency?

Necrotising fasciitis is a medical emergency for two reasons.

The first is that this appalling infection is associated with a very high mortality rate. Even where a patient survives the ravages of this destructive infection, there is a significant chance that they will suffer deformity, disability and psychological trauma as a result.

Secondly, the speed with which necrotising fasciitis can spread through the body makes its treatment a matter of the highest priority. If diagnosis and treatment are delayed by even a few days, the extent of the infection spread and the death of infected tissue will have increased dramatically.

Medical professionals cannot afford to procrastinate or delay investigation.

Initiating treatment for necrotising fasciitis

Initiating treatment for necrotising fasciitis is dependent on a medical professional suspecting that the patient may be suffering from this shocking illness.

A diagnosis is not always definitive from a clinical assessment and so it is essential that medical professionals are aware of the possible symptoms and willing to seek specialist advice or to refer a patient for immediate further investigation.

This may well take the form of investigative surgery to assess the condition of the patient's subcutaneous tissue.

A delay in treatment will not only increase the risk that the patient will die, but it will also allow the infection to spread and cause further tissue decay. The patient is also likely to need more debridement (tissue removal) surgery if initial treatment is delayed. All infected tissue needs to be removed to halt the further spread of the disease and often requires more than one surgical procedure to achieve this outcome.

Prompt administration of intravenous antibiotics is also recommended and a delay may reduce the effective management of this infection.

Claiming compensation

If you or a loved one have suffered significant symptoms, long-term difficulties and financial losses due to delayed treatment of necrotising fasciitis, you may be entitled to make a claim for compensation.

A successful compensation claim would take account of financial losses caused by the negligence such as loss of employment, reduction in income and the costs of care.

Contact Glynns Solicitors, specialists in medical negligence compensation, to discuss your situation with an experienced lawyer.

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