Contracting Sepsis After Surgery & Medical Malpractice
According to the CDC, greater than 1.7 million American adults develop sepsis yearly, resulting in nearly 270,000 patient deaths. They further report that 1 of 3 hospital patients who die have sepsis.
If you or a loved one contracted sepsis after surgery and it was not correctly diagnosed and treated, a sepsis malpractice lawsuit might be the vehicle to help pursue justice. If you would like to speak with a medical malpractice lawyer, reach out to the Villari Firm today.
Sepsis Defined
Sepsis is a potentially life-threatening condition due to the body’s response to harmful microorganisms (infection) in the blood or tissues. When the body is fighting an infection, chemicals get released into the bloodstream. Inflammation from those chemicals can lead to septic shock resulting in organ damage, failure, or death. It is a chain reaction inside your body that requires prompt diagnosis and immediate treatment.
Is Contracting Sepsis After Surgery Medical Malpractice?
Contracting sepsis after surgery can be catastrophic if it progresses to septic shock and does not receive prompt diagnosis and treatment. If a medical professional or institution fails to prevent, diagnose, or treat the condition and harm resulting to the patient, it may be medical malpractice.
In determining whether medical malpractice exists in your case, our team at the Villari Firm will analyze the following:
- Was there a failure to adhere to the standard of care? Certain standards of care must be met when treating a patient. If a healthcare provider or facility fails to meet the applicable standard of care, you might have a medical malpractice claim.
- Did harm result, and what were the damages? Evidence must include the harm suffered as a result of the failure to meet the standard of care.
- Certificate of Merit: Our team works with experts in the state of Pennsylvania to obtain a signed certificate that supports the validity of your claim.
Common Causes of Sepsis
Sepsis is the body’s extreme reaction to an infection. The cause of infection can be bacterial, viral, fungal, or parasitic in nature and can come from many different locations.
People statistically most at risk for sepsis include:
- Those over 65 years old
- Those with compromised immune systems
- Those with chronic medical conditions
- Those with a recent hospitalization
- Those with a recent severe illness
- Previous sepsis survivors
- Children under 1-year-old
- Bowel perforation from surgery
Dangers of Sepsis
Without prompt diagnosis and immediate treatment, sepsis can cause serious harm to a patient and even lead to septic shock and death. While not all cases are thankfully this extreme, sepsis can additionally result in long-term harm to a patient, such as Post-sepsis syndrome (PSS). PSS is a condition that can result in long-term physical or psychological problems. It affects up to 50% of sepsis survivors.
Filing a Sepsis Lawsuit
Each case is unique, and filing a sepsis lawsuit can be a complicated and lengthy process. If you think that you or a loved one may have been a victim of malpractice due to sepsis, the first step is to meet with an experienced medical malpractice attorney and explain the facts of your case. At the Villari Firm, we work with you to develop the best possible strategy for your case by analyzing the facts and consulting with our respected experts. At each step of the process, our communications will be clear and transparent.
Determining Responsibility for Post-Surgery Sepsis
Determining responsibility for the harm you have suffered is fact-specific and based upon the evidence. Evidence that shows how, where, and why you acquired the infection, along with the harm that resulted from the condition not being timely diagnosed and treated, is essential to your case. Showing that the infection was preventable is also extremely important. Medical records, incident reports, complaints filed to government agencies, health department records, and sanctions from government or private accreditation agencies are types of evidence that can help prove responsibility.
How a Medical Malpractice Lawyer Helps Your Sepsis Case
If you believe that you or your loved one suffered harm from contracting sepsis, speaking with an experienced medical malpractice lawyer can significantly assist you. An experienced sepsis attorney will carefully listen as you explain the life-altering events that you have experienced, analyze the facts of your case, consult with respected experts, and work directly with you to develop the best possible strategy for the case.
To speak with an experienced medical malpractice attorney about your sepsis case, call the Villari Firm, PLLC at 215-372-8889 or online by clicking here. We offer a free, no-obligation consultation to review your case.
