Soft issue Infection Negligence and Compensation
A severe soft-tissue infection might be necrotising fasciitis and a failure to consider this appalling illness as a possible diagnosis may prove fatal for the patient.
Negligence and necrotising fasciitis
Diagnosis of and treatment of necrotising fasciitis is a medical emergency. In its early stages, this life-threatening infection can be difficult to diagnose so a willingness to consider the possibility of this infection is essential to the patient's long-term well-being. The virulence of the infection is such that the patient can deteriorate rapidly, with every delay increasing the risk of scarring, deformity, amputation, disability and death.
Clinical negligence can play a significant role in the patient's outcome. Given the possible severity of the patient's outcome, even where the patient survives, scrupulous medical care is crucial.
- A failure to examine the patient
- A failure to recognise the possible symptoms or to suspect a possible diagnosis of necrotising fasciitis
- A failure or delay in making a referral for further specialist investigation
- A delay in initiating debridement of infected tissue
- If the patient is already in hospital, for example following surgery, a failure to monitor their condition or to consider the possibility of infection may also be regarded as negligent.
Possible indicators of a necrotising fasciitis infection
A patient who is developing necrotising fasciitis may well have recently undergone a surgical procedure which has left their body vulnerable to infection. They may also have suffered an accidental cut or wound to the skin which has provided a portal for bacteria to access the deep soft tissue.
The patient is likely to be presenting with discoloured, swollen and tender skin in the region of their injury. Their symptoms may be spreading as the infection increases and they are likely to be in intense pain.
As the infection deepens, they may start to experience additional signs of infection such as a high temperature or chills.
Claiming compensation
Clinical negligence in the care of necrotising fasciitis can have catastrophic long-term consequences for the patient and their family, such as having to face the implications and costs of disability as well as experiencing a dramatic loss of income if the individual affected is no longer able to work.
Compensation, where the outcome has been influenced by negligent clinical care, can help the patient to address this distressing consequences.
Speak to a legal specialist
Glynns Solicitors is a dedicated clinical negligence legal practice with extensive expertise in necrotising fasciitis negligence compensation.
Contact us today if you or a loved one suspect that you have been the victim of negligent care. One of our team of specialist solicitors will be very happy to talk to you, 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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