Bowel Dysfunction and Necrotising Fasciitis Compensation
Loss of bowel function can have a wide-ranging impact, causing physical, practical and psychological difficulties. If this distressing situation has been caused by substandard medical care, it may be possible to make a claim for compensation.
Necrotising fasciitis often originates in the abdominal region. Fournier's gangrene, a form of necrotising fasciitis, commences in the perineal and perianal region between the legs and around the genitals and anus. The bowel is consequently susceptible to the appalling damage which this shocking infection, and its treatment, can cause.
Meticulous and timely medical care is vital to the patient's long-term well-being. Equally, poor-quality or negligence medical care can, leave the patient facing a lifetime of disability.
Necrotising fasciitis and bowel dysfunction
Necrotising fasciitis is a soft-tissue infection which causes the destruction of all the tissue it infects. Furthermore, it is not restricted to one region but can move through the body's connective tissue at an alarming rate, causing further destruction. It can eventually cause multiple organ failure and is associated with a high mortality rate.
Surgical removal of all infected tissue is the only treatment which can halt the further spread of the infection. Unfortunately, this debridement process can also be destructive, at best causing significant scarring. At worst, the patient may suffer considerable tissue loss and compromised bowel function.
Necrotising fasciitis and medical negligence
Prompt diagnosis and emergency surgery is essential, not only to the survival of the patient, but also to ensure that the minimum physical and psychological trauma is experienced. A delay in treatment will allow the infection to spread further through the body, putting the patient at greater risk and requiring more extensive surgical treatment.
A failure by medical professionals to recognise, suspect, diagnose and treat necrotising fasciitis may be regarded as substandard care.
Claiming compensation
If a patient suffers significant losses due to negligent medical care, the law allows for the individual to claim compensation.
Loss of bowel function due to negligence medical care can cause significant long-term difficulties and financial losses. An individual with loss of bowel function may be limited in the nature of employment they can undertake. They may be limited in the hours they can work. They may require the fitting of a stoma in order to provide bowel function which may also impact on the nature of employment they can undertake.
The financial, practical and emotional effects can be life-changing. If substandard medical care has contributed to this distressing outcome, it may be appropriate to make a claim for compensation.
Legal advice
If you believe that you or a loved one may have been the victim of negligent medical care, it is important to get specialist legal advice. This will facilitate a realistic assessment of the validity and value of your claim as well as ensuring the best outcome.
Glynns Solicitors is a dedicated medical negligence legal practice. Contact us today to talk to one of our team of experienced, specialist lawyers about your situation and 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.