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St. Petersburg Amputation Lawyer
Support for victims of sepsis-related amputation in St. Petersburg
Amputations are a serious injury that causes life-long consequences. While there are various ways a person could end up requiring an amputation, one of the more common is due to sepsis. Sepsis, which is a reaction in the body to infections, often occurs in medical settings and is too often misdiagnosed by medical providers. At MattLaw, we represent victims of sepsis-related amputations caused by medical malpractice. If you or a loved one sustained this life-altering injury, contact our St. Petersburg amputations lawyers to discuss your claim.
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Why choose MattLaw
Amputations are physically and emotionally devastating injuries. If you suffered an amputation because of sepsis, you may require ongoing care throughout your life. When these injuries result from medical negligence, you can pursue compensation that can help support you and provide a way for you to receive the best possible care. At MattLaw, our team has more than 35 years of experience representing people who have experienced injuries and other harm because of medical malpractice. Our firm’s founder, Matt Powell, is a National Board of Trial Advocacy Board Certified Civil Trial Law and Civil Practice Advocacy attorney and Board Certified by the Florida Bar as a specialist in Civil Trial Law.
Board certification is one of the most important things to look for in an attorney. This qualification requires an intensive process. Civil Trial Law certification, for example, requires that the attorney:
- Practice law for at least five years
- Dedicate 50% or more of their practice to civil trial law in the last three years
- Act as lead counsel in 15 or more contested cases
- Complete 50+ hours of continuing education in civil trial law within three years of applying
- Earn a peer review by other attorneys
- Score high marks on a written examination
Contact us to learn more about Matt Powell and the impressive qualifications of the rest of our MattLaw team.
FAQs on amputations and sepsis in St. Petersburg
Why is sepsis so dangerous?
Sepsis is a serious medical emergency that can lead to a number of devastating consequences. Here are just a few of the issues that sepsis may cause:
- Life-threatening organ failure
- Cognitive issues
- Psychological distress
- Post-Sepsis Syndrome (which includes lasting muscle weakness, memory problems, emotional distress (depression, anxiety, PTSD), chronic fatigue, pain, and sleep disturbances)
- Amputations
How does sepsis cause amputations?
About 1% of sepsis patients may need amputations. Sepsis can cause blood clots that block circulation to the limbs, resulting in tissue death and gangrene. Also, sepsis can damage nerves, causing paralysis and loss of sensation, making the limbs more prone to injury.
Who is most at risk of sepsis-related amputations?
Any patient who suffers from sepsis can experience serious complications and is at risk for amputations. However, a few factors can increase the chances of an amputation. Individuals who are at heightened risk include:
- Older adults have an increased vulnerability due to their age.
- Those with chronic conditions, including diabetes, heart, or kidney disease.
- People with weakened immune systems, like cancer patients or those with HIV/AIDS.
- Patients who recently underwent surgery.
Who is at fault in sepsis amputation cases?
Sepsis amputation cases may result from medical malpractice. People who develop sepsis because of hospital-acquired infections, for instance, may be victims of unsanitary medical environments, tools that weren’t properly sterilized, or other oversights at a medical facility. Additionally, some patients suffer from sepsis because medical providers neglect to treat their infection promptly. If providers don’t recognize the signs of sepsis, whether it came from a hospital-acquired infection or not, they may be at fault for the more severe consequences, which could include amputations.
How long do I have to file a sepsis amputation case in St. Petersburg?
In Florida, the statute of limitations requires that you file your case within two years of the injury. Failing to file within the required time limit will prevent a court from hearing your claim. While there are some very limited exceptions, anyone suffering from sepsis-related amputations in St. Petersburg needs to contact an attorney right away to preserve their ability to file a claim.
Proving liability in sepsis malpractice cases in St. Petersburg
Sepsis-related amputations and all medical malpractice claims are complex. It can be difficult to make a compelling case that proves that medical negligence led to or worsened your injuries. However, some strategies can help you make your case. Medical providers can be at fault because they misdiagnosed or missed the symptoms of sepsis, allowing it to become worse and leading to amputation. Other times, the infection could result from inadequate sanitation at a medical facility. You and your attorney must work with a medical expert to prove your claim and show that the medical providers failed to exercise the appropriate standard of care. At MattLaw, we have experience building these cases and connecting sepsis-related amputations to medical negligence.
Recovering damages in a sepsis amputation case
Damages can be extensive in amputation cases because of the severity of these injuries. In medical malpractice claims, you can typically recover economic and non-economic damages. The economic damages cover your actual financial expenses, both for past and future medical care and other losses. For an amputation claim, your economic damages might include:
- Medical bills
- Surgical costs
- Rehabilitation expenses
- Caregiver costs
- Lost income, past and future
- Expenses related to prosthetics
Those costs can add up to huge sums, but your damages will also include your emotional distress, pain and suffering, psychological damage, and loss of enjoyment caused by the injury. In rare situations, you may also be able to pursue punitive damages. However, to recover punitive damages, you must show that the medical provider intentionally caused harm or was egregiously negligent in their treatment. Such standards are much more difficult to prove than general negligence.
Do you have a St. Petersburg amputation attorney near me?
Yes, MattLaw has convenient locations in St. Petersburg and Tampa, Florida. If you can’t make it to us, contact us to arrange a phone meeting, video conference, or at another location.
Contact MattLaw for a free case consultation
At MattLaw, we know that experiencing a life-altering injury like an amputation is devastating to the victim and their family. When a medical provider who was meant to provide treatment and care causes that injury or allows it to happen through negligence, it is important to pursue a claim against them. Not only will a successful claim for damages help reduce the burdens related to costly treatment and lost income, but it also helps to hold those responsible for the injury accountable. Contact MattLaw today to schedule a free consultation.