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Tampa Sepsis Amputation Lawyers
Strong advocacy for sepsis patients who require an amputation in Florida
Doctors should be held liable if they could have prevented the need for an amputation due to sepsis. At MattLaw, our personal injury lawyers have been fighting for accident victims for more than 35 years. We work with doctors who are skilled at showing what steps the doctors who treated your infection or sepsis condition failed to comply with according to the competency standards of Tampa, Florida medical care. Our Tampa sepsis lawyers demand damages for all your medical expenses, the cost of prosthetic devices, your lost income, your physical pain and suffering, your disfigurement, and your other financial and personal damages. We’ve helped many accident victims obtain strong recoveries.
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How we can help you
- What is sepsis?
- How is sepsis diagnosed?
- Sepsis and amputation
- Amputation surgery due to sepsis
- What happens after amputation surgery for sepsis in Tampa?
- The use of prosthetics after amputation surgery due to sepsis
- Who is responsible for a sepsis amputation in Tampa?
- Do you have a Tampa, Florida amputation lawyer near me?
What is sepsis?
According to the Sepsis Alliance, sepsis is an “overactive and toxic response to an infection.” Sepsis is a medical emergency that “requires rapid diagnosis and treatment.” Sepsis can lead to severe sepsis and septic shock. Sepsis is life-threatening. In healthy bodies:
The “immune system usually works to fight any germs (bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites) to prevent infection. If an infection does occur, your immune system will try to fight it, although you may need help with medication such as antibiotics, antivirals, antifungals, and antiparasitics.”
When the immune system stops fighting the “invaders,” and begins to turn on itself – this is when sepsis begins.
How is sepsis diagnosed?
According to the Mayo Clinic, sepsis is normally diagnosed through blood and urine tests, wound secretions, and respiratory sections. X-rays, CT scans, MRIs, and ultrasound may also be helpful. It is critical to diagnose and treat sepsis as quickly as possible.
Sepsis and amputation
The Sepsis Alliance states that sepsis can cause amputations. Alternatively, amputations can cause “a pressure injury from a prosthetic or adaptive/assistive device,” which can cause an infection, which, in turn, could cause sepsis.
Amputations are often caused by blood clots.
“Usually, blood moves through your blood vessels (arteries, veins, capillaries) in a very fluid form, driven by your pumping heart, only clotting when the body senses it is necessary.” Sometimes clots may develop in a blood vessel which can cause “deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and some types of strokes.”
When patients and accident victims develop sepsis, the clotting mechanism works over time. “As nutrients cannot get to the tissues in the fingers, hands, arms, toes, feet, and legs, the tissues begin to die and can cause gangrene.” In some cases, the gangrenous area will be limited, and doctors will be able to surgically remove that smaller area. In cases where it’s more widespread, amputations might be necessary.
Amputation surgery due to sepsis
The Sepsis Alliance states that deciding to amputate “is based on making sure enough tissue is removed to ensure that all the damaged tissue is gone, but also trying to preserve your independence and mobility as much as possible.” Sometimes, the surgeon may need to amputate more than originally anticipated.
After the amputation is finished, the surgeon can either leave the site open (“to monitor for and remove any infected tissue that might have been left behind”) or close it right away.
What happens after amputation surgery for sepsis in Tampa?
The recovery time after an amputation depends on the location of the amputation, how many limbs have been amputated, the reason for the amputation, and the patient’s condition after the surgery.
Ideally, patients start physical therapy and occupational therapy as soon as possible after the amputation surgery.
Physical therapy “may include stretching and increasing muscle strength or learning how to transfer from a bed to a chair if a leg or legs were amputated.” Occupational therapists help patients learn “how to use special tools or adapt their living environment as needed.”
The ideal time for the healing of the incisions is approximately four to eight weeks.
Many amputees live with pain from the amputation and also live with phantom limb pain – “pain coming from the limb that is no longer there.” About four out of five of all amputees experience phantom pain.
The use of prosthetics after amputation surgery due to sepsis
Some patients are given a temporary prosthetic within a week or two after the amputation. Sepsis Alliance states that it’s “important to get up and moving about as quickly as possible to prevent physical complications and also for mental and emotional well-being.”
Prosthetics need to be fitted to the individual patient. Some prosthetics are just cosmetic, some are mechanical, and some are robotic. New prosthetic research is ongoing. Often, amputees wear several prosthetics during their lifetime and regularly work with a prosthetic specialist to get the fit correct.
Wearing a prosthesis can cause skin sores due to the rubbing of the prosthetic with your skin. The biggest danger is another infection. Some of the signs that your prosthesis may be causing an infection include:
- Increased redness around the sore
- Pus or discharge
- More pain
- A foul odor
If you experience any symptoms of infection, you should seek medical help to treat the infection so you don’t develop sepsis again.
Patients need to work with physical therapists and prosthetic therapists to learn how to use their prosthetics.
Who is responsible for a sepsis amputation in Tampa?
Our Tampa sepsis amputation lawyers file:
- Personal injury claims when car accidents and other types of accidents cause amputations, which in turn may cause sepsis
- Medical malpractice claims against physicians and hospitals that fail to diagnose and treat infections and diagnose and treat sepsis in a timely manner.
Do you have a Tampa, Florida amputation lawyer near me?
MattLaw meets personal injury clients of all ages at our Tampa, Florida office located at 304 S Plant Ave., Tampa, FL 33606. We also have an office in St. Petersburg. Our attorneys meet amputees who can’t come to our office at their homes and healthcare facilities. We also consult with clients by phone and through online conferences.
We understand how frightened and angry you are. Our team is here to answer your questions and guide you through each step of the claims process. We’ve helped many clients like you obtain strong recoveries.
Speak with our experienced Tampa, Florida amputation lawyers now
Doctors who are treating patients for personal injuries or other medical conditions should regularly check for infections such as urinary tract infections. Many patients develop sepsis while they’re in a hospital. At MattLaw, we take pride in our talent record of success and our dedication and passion for the work we do to help our clients.
Call our Tampa sepsis amputation lawyers now or fill out our contact form to schedule a free consultation. We handle amputation cases on a contingency fee basis.