When you are in a hospital, you are essentially surrounded by other people with potentially contagious diseases and infections. In addition, it is possible that you have a suppressed immune system due to the treatment that you are receiving. Your medical providers should be aware of this, and they need to do everything they can to prevent infection, as well as monitor you constantly for signs of infection.
If you or a loved one suffered from a healthcare-acquired infection (HAI), this means that you would not have suffered from the infection if you were not at the hospital. HAIs can lead to sepsis if they are not properly treated, and some patients are more at risk than others. Sepsis develops when the body reacts to the infection present in the body, and it is extremely deadly.
Failure to diagnose sepsis
Your medical provider needs to be able to easily recognize the signs of sepsis and act accordingly. Sepsis develops rapidly, so doctors need to act fast and know the earliest signs. The very first signs of sepsis include a breathing rate of 20 breaths or more per minute, an extremely high or low body temperature, and a fast heart rate of more than 90 beats per minute.
If you or a loved one did not have a diagnosis at the early stages of developing sepsis and you suffered as a result, you may be able to take action against your medical provider. This is because the medical provider may be liable for negligence if they did not diagnose sepsis in a reasonable amount of time.
How can I prove medical malpractice?
If you make a claim against your medical provider and accuse them of medical malpractice, you need to show that their actions fell short of what a hypothetical competent doctor would have done.
What damages may I be able to gain?
Life-changing injuries and death can occur as a result of sepsis. Damages can include the coverage of all medical bills, and compensation for the pain, suffering, and trauma that you had to undergo.
If you have been affected by the delayed diagnosis of sepsis, it is important to take action and understand your legal options. Contact our firm today to get started.