5 Facts Your Sepsis Malpractice Lawyer Needs You To Know

Do you know the warning signs of sepsis? Our medical malpractice attorneys offer insights to keep your loved ones safe.

Sepsis is a life-threatening reaction to an infection. Sometimes called septicaemia (or blood poisoning), sepsis occurs when a person’s immune system damages their body’s own tissues and organs in an effort to fight a severe infection. Sepsis can be caused by any type of infection: bacterial, viral, or fungal. It can progress all the way to septic shock, the final and most severe stage, within just 24 hours.

When a doctor misdiagnoses, fails to diagnose, or neglects to treat a septic infection, the results can be very serious. Failure to diagnose and/or treat a septic infection is medical malpractice.

Speak To A Sepsis Malpractice Lawyer Now: 813-222-2222

MattLaw Offers Free Consultations on All Sepsis Lawsuit Claims

Fact #1: Sepsis is the single largest contributor of preventable death worldwide.

Sepsis accounts for roughly 20% of all global deaths. According to the CDC, nearly 270,000 adults in the United States die from sepsis each year: about one person every two minutes. This is more deaths than the lives taken from prostate cancer, breast cancer, and opioid overdose combined.

Understanding the warning signs of sepsis is the first step in being able to prevent personal injury related to a “failure to diagnose” situation. Sepsis cases are common medical malpractice claims, as such hospital-acquired infection requires swift and aggressive treatment. In the absence of sufficient care, medical negligence—and sepsis—can result, and lead to loss of limbs or even death.

Sepsis is the single largest contributor of preventable death worldwide.

Fact #2: Early sepsis symptoms may present like a bad cold.

Because septic shock may only take hours to reach after the initial infection, it’s important to note the symptoms of sepsis to prevent the situation from worsening. Early symptoms of sepsis include but may not be limited to:

• Deep fatigue
• Chills, fever, low body temperature
• Shivering
• Flushing in the cheeks

However, it is critical to note that sepsis may also include additional symptoms, possibly including but not limited to:

• Low blood pressure
• Mental confusion and/or slurred speech
• Shortness of breath and/or fast breathing
• Lack of urine production
• Skin discoloration

Often missed by hospitals, sepsis diagnosis delays lead to loss of limbs and or death. This is why going to the hospital sooner rather than later might save your life. If the hospital fails to diagnose and quickly start aggressive treatments, you may be a victim of medical malpractice.

Fact #3: Sepsis can be especially hard to spot in children and other vulnerable populations.

Anyone fighting an infection can develop sepsis. However, some populations are more susceptible to this condition, as their bodies frequently lack the capacity to fight the infection without medical intervention. Populations with weakened immune systems are generally more vulnerable to sepsis. This may include:

• Babies under 12 months of age, particularly if they were born premature, or if the mother fought a serious infection while carrying the child to term
• Adults over 75 years of age
• Type 1 and Type 2 diabetics
• People undergoing chemotherapy
• People who have recently had an organ transplant or other surgery surgery
• People who have recently fought a serious illness
• Women who have recently had a baby, miscarriage, or abortion
• People with dementia
• People living with learning disabilities, particularly those who have difficulty communicating

Fact #4: Most sepsis cases are caused by bacterial infections.

Whenever any germs enter a person’s body, they have the potential to cause an infection. Most infections are successfully fought off through the body’s natural immune system or medicines; in cases where the infection is not stopped, it can lead to sepsis. 

It is important to note that sepsis is not always caused by bacterial infection; some instances can result from viral infections, including as COVID-19 and influenza. 

Regardless of the cause, sepsis is most responsive to treatments when detected early. If the sepsis has not affected the person’s vital organs, it may be treatable through antibiotics. If sepsis goes undiagnosed and untreated, however, it is possible that the sepsis may spread throughout the body and cause organ failure. This is a serious and potentially life-threatening condition. 

What kind of medical bills might a person with sepsis have? Medical malpractice lawyers will note that sepsis lawsuits may cover ER and intensive care, ventilators, surgeries, medicines, lost wages, loss of earning capacity and more. Victims of medical negligence may need to stay in hospital for several weeks. An experienced medical malpractice lawyer will be able to assist you in pursuing financial compensation.

Speak To A Sepsis Malpractice Lawyer Now: 813-222-2222

Fact #5: Sepsis can cause amputations.

Nearly 40 medical amputations are required every day due to sepsis. This could be a single finger, multiple digits, a single extremity (arm or leg), or two or more arms or legs.   If you or a loved one has suffered an amputation after a sepsis infection, please call our office today.

Medical amputations may be required to prevent sepsis from spreading throughout the body. In other cases, doctors may amputate to prevent the spread of gangrene, which arises when nutrients are unable to get to the body’s extremities. Gangrene can become an infection of its own, which requires swift medical intervention to control. 

Amputations are both serious and life-altering. Responsible medical professionals will review medical records carefully before making the decision to amputate; this decision will be based on surgery risk, the patient’s medical history, and other medically relevant factors, including the patient’s expected independence and mobility following the surgery.

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Have you experienced sepsis as the result of medical negligence? You may be eligible for financial compensation. Call the experienced medical malpractice attorneys at MattLaw for your free consultation: 813-222-2222.

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