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St. Petersburg Sepsis Lawyer
Fighting for victims of sepsis and malpractice in St. Petersburg
Sepsis is a frightening result of infections that can lead to fatal consequences when not properly treated. Unfortunately, many of these infections occur in hospitals or go unnoticed or misdiagnosed by medical personnel until they cause permanent damage. At MattLaw, our experienced St. Petersburg sepsis attorneys are here to help victims of this condition fight for compensation for the medical providers who failed to offer proper treatment and care. If you or a loved one experienced sepsis-related complications, contact us for a free consultation.
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Why choose MattLaw?
Suffering severe medical complications like sepsis can cause life-altering damage and have domino impacts on families who may lose the support and care from the victim. When so much is at stake, you need a dedicated and experienced legal representative who is ready to fight for you. At MattLaw, we’ve been advocating for injury victims for over 35 years. Matt Powell, our founder, is Board Certified in Civil Trial Law and Civil Practice Advocacy by the National Board of Trial Advocacy and Board Certified by the Florida Bar as a specialist in Civil Trial Law.
There are many accolades attorneys post on their sites, but board certification is one of the best indicators of a lawyer’s qualifications. For example, the rigorous qualification process for certification for Civil Trial Law requires that the attorney has:
- Practiced law for at least five years
- Dedicated at least 50% of their practice to civil trial law in the last three years
- Acted as lead counsel in 15 or more contested cases
- Completed 50+ hours of continuing education in civil trial law within three years of applying
- Passed a peer review by other attorneys
- Earned high marks on a written examination
Contact us to schedule a consultation for more details on Matt Powell's and the rest of the MattLaw team's qualifications.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about sepsis
What is sepsis?
Sepsis occurs when the body’s immune system overreacts to an infection. The result can be life-threatening organ failure. While sepsis can occur in any serious infection, it often results from medical malpractice when healthcare providers fail to diagnose or properly treat sepsis. Also, it may occur because of a hospital-acquired infection. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about one in 31 patients will be experiencing a hospital-acquired infection on any given day.
What are the symptoms of sepsis?
Given the high rate of infections in hospitals, staff should be on the lookout for common symptoms. Patients with this condition may present with:
- Clammy, sweaty skin
- Extreme pain or discomfort
- Confusion and disorientation
- Shortness of breath
- High heart rate or weakened pulse
- Fever, shivers, or feeling cold
Untreated cases of sepsis can lead to septic shock, which can be fatal.
Are there long-term consequences of sepsis?
Sepsis cases can lead to fatal results, but even when a person survives serious sepsis complications, the consequences can be long-term.
Post-sepsis syndrome includes long-term muscle weakness, memory problems, emotional distress (depression, anxiety, PTSD), chronic fatigue, pain, and sleep disturbances. Additionally, many patients who experience severe cases of sepsis end up requiring amputation. As a result, these individuals will need prosthetics and other medical care for the rest of their lives.
What are the sepsis risk factors for patients?
Several factors may increase the chances of a person developing sepsis. For instance, those with a weakened immune system, chronic illnesses, and anyone who is recovering from surgery are at a heightened risk of developing sepsis.
What is the statute of limitations for medical malpractice in St. Petersburg?
Florida generally allows two years from the injury's discovery date to file a medical malpractice claim. However, there might be certain exceptions, so it is important to speak to a St. Petersburg sepsis attorney as soon as possible.
Proving hospital negligence in sepsis cases
Sepsis often arises due to unsanitary conditions, improper sterilization of equipment, or delayed diagnosis. In all of these cases, medical negligence is the underlying cause. One issue that victims of sepsis may experience is that proving negligence in medical malpractice cases can be challenging. You will often need to work with medical experts who can provide testimony that establishes a link between the medical provider’s actions and the resulting injuries.
Here are a few examples of medical malpractice that may lead to sepsis and create the basis for a legal claim:
- Unsanitary conditions: Hospitals are treating vulnerable patients, so strict infection control procedures are clearly needed. Failure to maintain clean facilities can lead to infections in patients.
- Improper sterilization: medical facilities must prioritize the proper sterilization of medical tools and environments. Tools or equipment used during surgery that are not properly sterilized can introduce bacteria into a patient, leading to sepsis.
- Delayed diagnosis: Timely diagnosis of sepsis cases is the best way to prevent the worst outcomes. Failure to recognize the early signs of sepsis can prevent timely treatment, increasing the risk of severe outcomes.
Negligence in any of these areas can lead to sepsis-related malpractice claims. It’s important to have an experienced attorney who can help you work with experts and prove the connection between the infection or sepsis and medical negligence.
Recoverable damages in sepsis cases
Sepsis malpractice cases can lead to severe injuries and even fatal results. The possible damages in these cases will depend in part on the damage caused by the sepsis. In many cases, successful medical malpractice claims will allow a person to recover:
- Medical expenses, including anything related to required treatments, surgeries, and other care
- Rehabilitation costs, which might be necessary in serious cases or if the sepsis causes the need to perform an amputation
- Lost wages for the person who is missing work because of the infection and sepsis, and lost income in the future if the injuries are so severe they prevent them from returning to work
- Pain and suffering, and, in some cases, wrongful death damages if a loved one died from sepsis
It is extremely important to speak to an attorney if you believe you or a loved one experienced sepsis because of medical negligence in St. Petersburg.
Do you have a St. Petersburg sepsis attorney near me?
Yes, MattLaw’s offices are located in St. Petersburg and Tampa, Florida. If you aren’t able to make it to one of our offices, reach out so we can connect with you another way to discuss your case.
Contact MattLaw for a free consultation
Our firm has extensive experience handling sepsis and hospital negligence cases. We fight to ensure that negligent healthcare providers are held accountable and our clients receive the compensation they deserve.
If you or a loved one has suffered due to sepsis or medical negligence, contact our St. Petersburg office today for a free consultation. Our team is ready to review your case, explain your legal rights, and help you pursue justice.