Perineal Soft-tissue Infection and When to Claim Compensation
The devastation of fournier's gangrene may justify a claim for compensation if medical professionals have failed in the quality of their care.
A deadly soft tissue infection
Fournier's gangrene, a soft-tissue infection of the perineal region can devastate the genital area. In some cases, it can also permanently damage bowel function. In some cases, it can even lead to the death of the patient. Competent and timely medical attention is essential.
This swift moving infection requires urgent diagnosis and treatment if the patient is to achieve the best outcome. Failings by medical professionals can alter the course of the patient's life and may justify a claim for compensation.
Fournier's gangrene is an area-specific form of necrotising fasciitis, a virulent and destructive soft-tissue infection which causes the decay of all the tissue it infects. Although rare, its location and symptoms should alert medical professionals to the possibility that the patient may be developing this appalling illness. Where diagnosis is uncertain but a soft-tissue infection is suspected, a timely referral is essential in order to prevent further spreading of the infection and further loss of tissue and function.
Fournier's gangrene is regarded as a medical emergency.
Negligent medical care
Failing to examine a patient, failing to recognise or suspect the significance of their symptoms or failing to make a timely referral for specialist attention may all be regarded as negligent care during the course of the diagnosis of fournier's gangrene.
Symptoms which might be indicative of the development of this appalling and life-changing infection could include the following:
- Intense pain in the perineal or genital region
- Tenderness and swelling in the perineal or genital region
- Discolouration of the skin
- A high temperature or a fast heartbeat
When to claim compensation
It may be possible to make a claim for compensation if it is found that medical professionals have been negligent in their care of the patient and that this negligence has caused the patient to suffer a worse outcome than would otherwise have been the case.
In these circumstances, a successful claim would address not only the patient pain and suffering but also the financial losses caused by the negligence. It may be. For example that the patient struggles to work due to the consequences of a delayed diagnosis.
Where this is the case, a successful claim would include their loss of income insofar as it has been caused by negligent care.
Speak to a legal specialist
Glynns Solicitors is a dedicated medical negligence legal practice with extensive expertise in necrotising fasciitis claims. Contact us today to speak with a solicitor, free of charge, about the possibility of making a claim.
Please call us free on 0800 234 3300 (or from a mobile 01275 334030) or complete our Online Enquiry Form.
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