Although most infections lead to no lasting harm, some infections are more serious and if not diagnosed and treated swiftly enough lead to debilitating problems, disability or death.
If your infection wasn’t dealt with properly and you’re having to live with the consequences, we can help you.
Infection compensation claims
We’ve got many years’ experience of dealing with infection claims. They fall into one or both of two broad areas:
- Failure to Diagnose – This is where doctors either overlook the tell-tale symptoms of infection entirely, or diagnose it as something more harmless instead.
- Failure to Treat – This happens surprisingly often – even when the infection is correctly diagnosed quickly, too much time passes before steps are taken to tackle it, during which time the infection spreads around the body or becomes more severe, worsening the eventual injury.
What infections are normally the subject of legal claims?
The infections which often form the subject of legal claims include:-
- Meningitis - Whether in the viral or the more serious bacterial form, this is usually passed by one person to another – either as meningitis itself, although it is unusual, or in the form of a different bug which, if not treated quickly enough, progresses to meningitis or meningococcal GBS (see below) is one example. If not treated, meningitis can quickly lead to permanent, life-affecting injuries such as brain damage or blindness; or death.
- MRSA - Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus is much less common than it was a few decades ago, largely due to increased hospital cleaning and infection control practices, but is nonetheless still found today. Although claims for negligent acquisition are less likely to succeed, since the source of MRSA is almost impossible to identify, there may still be a case for delayed treatment.
- GBS - Group B Streptococcus arises from a very commonplace bug carried vaginally by around a third of women, only posing a threat when it is then passed on to a baby before or during childbirth. A separate, dedicated page on our website gives much more detail about this infection.
- Necrotising Fasciitis - Often referred to as the ‘flesh-eating disease’. This is an infection that spreads very quickly, leading to the death of parts of the soft tissue. It generally enters the skin through a cut or burn, affecting those already weakened by low immunity after illness. Again, claims for negligent acquisition are rare with most cases focusing on the speed of treatment.
- Sepsis - Although not an infection itself, sepsis arises when the body responds to an infection by attacking itself, resulting in impaired blood flow and deteriorating organ function. If insufficient fluids are taken, this can lead to septic shock (dangerously low blood pressure).
Find out how we can help you
We're ready to help you make your medical negligence compensation claim today. Contact our specialist solicitors for a free initial chat about your situation and find out how you can get started. Use our online enquiry form or call our specialist team on 01392 937 278.