What is Sepsis?
Sepsis is an overwhelming immune response to an infection. When your body detects an infection, your body releases immunity chemicals into your bloodstream. Sometimes these chemicals sent to fight off infection cause a cascade of inflammation in your body causing reduced blood flow, which causes organ and tissue damage caused by lack of oxygen.
Once sepsis gets started, it can get worse very quickly causing your blood pressure to drop, causing less blood flow, leading to septic shock, and this can lead to death.
The cause of sepsis can be from bacteria, fungi or viruses.
Sepsis is a medical emergency that requires emergency treatment. Delay in diagnosis can be fatal.
Sepsis is your body’s toxic response to infection. If it is allowed to get out of control sepsis can be deadly.
If you have been exposed to sepsis, contact the personal injury lawyers at MattLaw®. The medical malpractice attorneys at our law firm offer free consultations to help you understand your case, and set you on the path toward compensation. Call us today.
Can sepsis be a result of medical negligence?
Yes, sepsis can be a tragic consequence of medical negligence. Errors such as inadequate sterilization, delayed diagnosis, improper treatment or lack of prompt attention can lead to severe infections, escalating into sepsis. Sepsis medical malpractice cases are, sadly, quite common.
It may seem like a trivial scratch, but underestimating it can lead to sepsis.
Maintaining Hygiene and Seeking Timely Medical Help
Another crucial preventative measure to developing sepsis is good hygiene. Simple actions like regular hand washing can dramatically decrease the likelihood of bacterial invasion. We’re not talking OCD-level hygiene here, but a consistent routine can make a world of difference between a simple scratch and loss of a limb.
Is sepsis preventable?
Quite often, the answer is a resounding “Yes!” There are several proactive steps that can significantly reduce your risk of contracting this potentially life-threatening condition.
First and foremost, it’s imperative to clean any scrapes or wounds immediately and thoroughly. Bacteria are opportunistic, and an open wound is fertile ground for an infection.
The recommended preventative steps include:
- Cleaning scrapes and wounds
- Practicing good hygiene through hand washing
- Timely getting medical attention before the infection gets out of control
- Vaccination for flu and pneumonia
What are the signs of sepsis?
The most common signs of sepsis can be remembered with the following acronym:
S Shivering, fever or very cold
E Extreme Pain or general discomfort
P Pale or discolored skin
S Sleeping, difficult to rouse, confused
I “I feel like I might die”
S Shortness of breath
When a person has a bacterial, fungus or virus infection, your body may release the immunity chemicals infected and spread quickly throughout your body. The early signs of sepsis are your body temperature going up (fever), shivering or feeling cold, extreme pain and discomfort. Your skin may become pale, or patchy with red spots, mental confusion, feeling tired and shortness of breath. Untreated sepsis can lead to the malfunction of vital organs.
If you or a loved one has these symptoms, get to an emergency room immediately.
What causes sepsis?
Sepsis can be caused by any kind of infection including:
- Strep Throat
- MRSA
- Urinary Tract Infection
- Cuts or wounds
- C. Difficile
- COPD
- Surgeries
- Dental infections
- Liver disease
- Pneumonia
- Appendicitis
- Cellulitis
…and many other causes. If left untreated, a septic blood stream can lead to organ failure, blood clots, and a shutdown of the patient’s immune systems.
Is sepsis treatable?
Yes, in most cases sepsis can be successfully treated if treatment is started early. This is why getting diagnosed early increases the chances of a full recovery. Get treatment started quickly, and if you suspect sepsis, please tell the medical professionals that you are concerned about sepsis.
Doctors rely upon antibiotics to stop the infection, and IV fluids to help the body maintain blood pressure. Sometimes patients need help breathing, kidney dialysis to help remove toxins from the blood, and even surgery to physically remove infected tissues.
How effective is sepsis treatment?
The effectiveness of sepsis treatment varies greatly and largely depends on the speed with which it is initiated. Early detection is the key; the sooner it’s treated, the better the prognosis. If your medical professionals failed to diagnose sepsis in time, they may be liable in a medical malpractice lawsuit.
However, even with the swiftest intervention, the harsh reality is that sepsis can still be fatal. This fact underscores the immense responsibility of healthcare providers in timely diagnosis and treatment.
What happens when sepsis is not recognized?
The infection goes out of control and causes widespread organ damage and in some cases death. This is why healthcare professionals should be trained to recognize and look for any signs of sepsis. All healthcare workers should be adequately trained to consider sepsis anytime a person presents with any of the signs.
How bad can sepsis be?
Sepsis can be deadly. Sepsis may start with a fever, increased heart rate, rapid breathing. Sepsis can be life altering to those who survive, with permanent organ or limb damage. When treated in a timely manner, the patient will make a good recovery.
Who is at risk of getting sepsis?
Anyone can get sepsis, but neonates, infants, children, and older adults are at the greatest risk of having a septic reaction. Risk of sepsis increases after suffering a serious injury, and with the presence of diabetes, HIV, cancer and/or liver issues.
Tragically, sepsis takes the lives of over 18 children each day.
Why is sepsis a greater concern for nursing home residents?
Because sepsis is such a severe and life-threatening condition, and because the residents of nursing homes are exposed to all sorts of infection, residents are at a higher risk than most.
Nursing homes put their residents at a greater risk of septic infection when they do not follow standard hygiene protocols.
Bedsores are 100% preventable. And any nursing home that allows their residents to develop skin ulcers puts their residents at a high risk of becoming septic.
Resident populations in nursing homes are at a greater risk of sepsis due to the reduced immunity in elderly populations.
When a nursing home is understaffed, and good hygiene protocols are not followed, the risk of infection and death from sepsis only increases.
How can you tell if sepsis was the result of medical negligence?
Look for signs of poor hygiene, lack of adequate staff, and the presence of preventable conditions like bedsores. These are red flags indicating nursing home abuse.
Victims and their families often need legal assistance to hold nursing homes accountable. A sepsis lawyer is well-versed in this area of law and can help uncover evidence of negligence.
Our experienced nursing home abuse attorneys can be crucial in securing your rightful compensation.
What does MattLaw® do for their clients who suffered from a needless case of sepsis?
At MattLaw®, we don’t just provide legal representation, we fight relentlessly for our clients’ rights. When a needless case of sepsis occurs, it’s not just a matter of infection, it’s a matter of justice. We believe that everyone deserves the best possible medical care, and if negligence is to blame, someone must be held accountable.
Our first step is to obtain the pertinent records, have them reviewed by the appropriate experts to determine whether there is a case of medical neglect. And if our expert says “Yes, I believe the health care professionals deviated from the standard of care,” MattLaw® will initiate a pre-suit notice for 90 days. Then we can initiate a lawsuit in order to recover the damages caused by the medical negligence.
What should you do if you suspect you or a loved one suffered catastrophic sepsis injuries caused by medical neglect or nursing home abuse?
- Don’t sign any waivers or agreements to arbitrate.
- Ask for a copy of the medical records.
- Do not sign any release forms without advice from a lawyer.
- Seek out an experienced sepsis lawyer. Getting a lawyer who focuses on sepsis cases can make a world of difference. They understand the medical nuances, the legal landscape, and can navigate the intricate process to get you the justice you deserve.
- Initiate legal proceedings. With your lawyer’s guidance, you can file a lawsuit against the negligent party. This can be a daunting process, but remember, you are not alone. Your sepsis lawyer is your advocate and will be with you every step of the way. There are only two years for you to bring a claim for negligence. But don’t wait, contact us immediately, because waiting may cause us to not identify the correct defendant, and could cause you to lose the case.
- Stay resilient! The legal battle may be tough and lengthy, but don’t lose hope. While it can be an emotionally charged journey, keep in mind that you are fighting for justice and for the respect every patient deserves.
What does Florida law say to protect your rights?
If your loved one is a victim of sepsis and nursing home neglect the following are allowed to seek recovery for the harm they caused to your loved one. This could be the surviving spouse, surviving children or grandchildren (including legally adopted children or grandchildren), surviving parents, or any other surviving family members, including adopted family members, who were partly or wholly financially dependent upon the decedent at the time of the decedent’s passing.
Florida law specifies that a surviving family member is entitled to compensation for:
- Loss of the services and support that the decedent provided
- Loss of guidance and companionship
- Emotional suffering, pain, and anguish, and
- Funeral and final medical expenses
The decedent’s estate may additionally seek compensation for lost wages and other income, including the decedent’s lost earning capacity – the income he or she would have been reasonably expected to earn before retirement age.
The Role of a Sepsis Lawyer
Now, where does a sepsis lawyer fit into this scenario? They play a pivotal role in proving that sepsis was indeed brought about by nursing home negligence.
A sepsis lawyer is a legal expert with a deep understanding of both medical and legal matters associated with sepsis, a potentially deadly infection that can be caused by medical negligence.
How Medical Negligence Can Lead to Sepsis
How might medical negligence result in sepsis, you might ask? For instance, it may stem from improper care of wounds or surgical sites, neglecting to maintain sanitary conditions or delaying treatment of an infection.
These are all responsibilities of a healthcare provider, and not fulfilling these duties can lead to devastating outcomes such as sepsis.
Your Right to Compensation
In such scenarios, a sepsis lawyer can help you seek compensation for the damages incurred. They can help in gathering evidence, proving negligence, and articulating the impact on the victim’s life – elements critical for a successful lawsuit.
Remember, if your loved one fell victim to sepsis due to medical negligence in Florida, know that the law is on your side and you have every right to seek justice and compensation.
In Pursuit of Justice
Our pursuit of justice doesn’t stop at the courtroom doors. It extends to raising awareness about sepsis and the potential role of medical negligence in its occurrence. It’s about sending a strong message to healthcare providers that negligence won’t be tolerated and that patient safety must always be a priority.
Remember, if you or a loved one has suffered from sepsis due to what you believe to be medical negligence, you’re not alone. Reach out to us at MattLaw®. Let us help you in your quest for justice.
We Advocate for Your Right to Safety
With MattLaw®, you’re not just another case number. We view each client as an individual whose life has been interrupted by an avoidable tragedy. Our primary goal? To get you the compensation you deserve and ensure such negligence doesn’t happen again.
When you choose MattLaw®, you’re selecting a partner who will stand with you every step of the way. From the investigation phase to securing compensation, we vow to be your staunchest advocates. Because at the end of the day, your fight against medical negligence is our fight too.
We get the pertinent records, have them reviewed by the appropriate experts to determine whether there is a case, and if so, we initiate pre-suit notice, for 90 days then we can initiate a lawsuit in order to recover the damages caused by the medical negligence.
The Role of Negligence in Sepsis
In a nutshell, medical negligence can significantly contribute to the risk of sepsis. The lack of adequate staffing and poor hygiene protocols in nursing homes are often prime culprits.
With residents already having compromised immunity, such negligence can have dire consequences.
When Sepsis is a Result of Medical Negligence
The unfortunate truth is, sepsis can sometimes be a direct product of medical negligence. Imagine this: you or a loved one visits a medical facility, expecting assistance and care, but instead, you’re greeted with an avoidable sepsis infection.
This could happen due to unhygienic conditions, delayed diagnosis, improper treatment, or a failure to follow standard medical procedures. It’s a heartbreaking scenario that can lead to life-threatening consequences.
If you or a loved one has suffered from sepsis due to medical negligence, you need a sepsis lawyer on your side. They can help you navigate the complex legal landscape, ensuring that your case is heard and that justice is served.
Remember, sepsis isn’t just a medical condition – in cases of medical negligence, it’s a violation of trust. And a sepsis lawyer can help you restore that trust, by holding the negligent parties accountable.
Why You Need a Sepsis Lawyer
If you or a loved one has suffered from sepsis as a result of what you believe to be medical negligence, you have every right to seek justice. This is where a sepsis lawyer comes into play. Sepsis lawyers are well-versed in medical law and have the experience to help you navigate through the complex legal process.
Your sepsis lawyer will fight on your behalf to ensure that if there was indeed medical negligence, you get the compensation you deserve. No one should have to suffer unnecessarily due to negligence, especially when it comes to something as serious as sepsis.
Call MattLaw® today for a free confidential consultation about your sepsis questions. If we can accept your case, it will be on a contingency fee basis, which means we don’t get paid unless we make a recovery for you.