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Necrotising Fasciitis
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Suing the NHS for Delayed Treatment of Fournier's Gangrene

Fournier's gangrene is a medical emergency. Delaying treatment will almost inevitably result in the patient suffering a poor long-term outcome and may justify making a claim for compensation. .

Soft-tissue infections

Fournier's gangrene is a form of necrotising fasciitis, a soft-tissue infection with the capacity to kill.

Once the bacteria responsible for the infection reach the body's deep tissue, it can spread rapidly threatening the life of the patient within days. Early diagnosis and emergency surgical treatment is, therefore, fundamental to the patient's prognosis.

Necrotising fasciitis most frequently develops in the abdomen or the limbs. Fournier's gangrene commences in the groin and around the genitals. It can destroy the patient's sexual function and, if it spreads to the buttocks and bowel, can destroy bowel function also.

Any delay in the commencement of treatment is likely to produce a deterioration in patient health. The infection will have time to spread further through the body's connective tissue, causing increasing levels of damage.

Treating fournier's gangrene

Although antibiotics are necessary to the management of fournier's gangrene, emergency surgery is key to the patient's outcome. Once a patient is diagnosed with fournier's gangrene, or even where it is suspected, rapid debridement (removal) of infected tissue, is absolutely imperative to prevent the continued spread of the infection. Unless the infection is halted, the patient's life-support mechanisms will be undermined causing the patient to die.

Again, it is clear that an urgent response is vital.

Fournier's gangrene most frequently occurs in men and the impact can be utterly devastating with the potential need for tissue removal from either or both penis and testicles.

Diagnosis and emergency action are key to limiting the extent of impact.

Medical negligence

Patients whose possible symptoms of fournier's gangrene or necrotising fasciitis are missed or misdiagnosed are likely to suffer in the long-term and it may be appropriate to consider making a claim for compensation.

Signs of a possible necrotising infection include pain in the area of the infection or wound alongside swelling, redness and tenderness to the touch. The patient may also be exhibiting symptoms of infection such as chills or a high temperature and fast breathing.

Patients who are diabetic, overweight or with a weak immune system are particularly vulnerable to a soft-tissue infection as are patients with a wound such as an abscess or who have recently undergone surgery.

A failure by medical professionals to realise the significance of the patient's symptoms can put the patient in a life-threatening situation. Fournier's gangrene or necrotising fasciitis can lead to sepsis and the risk of multiple organ failure.

An aspect of this life-threatening infection which is particularly worrying is the speed with which it can spread. Consequently, any delay in diagnosis or treatment is likely to lead to a worse outcome. The further the infection has spread the more tissue will need to be surgically removed to halt the infection and the more debridement procedures the patient is likely to need, all adding to the physical and psychological trauma of this already-debilitating illness.

The long-term impact of delayed treatment can be severe, affecting an individual's capacity to work and earn a living. In some circumstances, the patient may experience such poor long-term health that they require additional personal care.

Financial consequences such as these would be taken into account in a successful compensation claim.

Claiming compensation

If you believe that either yourself or a loved one have been the victim of medical negligence, it is essential that you get specialist legal advice. Compensation claims for medical negligence are extremely complex and experienced expert support is vital if your case is to be accurately assessed and to ensure that the outcome of your claim fully acknowledges the difficulties which you have suffered through negligent medical care.

Specialist legal experts will not only be able to obtain your medical records and assess the validity and value of your claim but will also be able to access the best medical experts who will analyse the quality of your care and confirm whether or not you have been the victim of negligence. They will be able to calculate your financial losses and judge your future needs.

However, it is important to remember that compensation claims for medical negligence must be initiated within three years of the date of the alleged negligence. There are occasionally circumstances where a later date of knowledge may apply but it is always advisable to contact a legal medical negligence expert at the earliest possible moment.

Speak to a solicitor

If you or a loved one are suffering the permanent impact of a failure to respond urgently to symptoms of fournier's gangrene, contact Glynns Solicitors to talk to a specialist medical negligence solicitor.

Glynns is a dedicated medical negligence legal practice with a team of experienced, specialist lawyers.

Contact us today to talk to a medical negligence solicitor free of charge about the suitability of making a claim for compensation.

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

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