Advocating For Victims Of Hospital-Associated Sepsis

Sepsis is a serious medical condition triggered by an initial infection. Once the patient develops an infection, their immune system releases chemicals into the bloodstream to fight the infection. If their immune system releases too many chemicals, severe inflammation can occur throughout the patient’s body, possibly resulting in organ damage. Blood clotting may also occur during sepsis. The clotting reduces blood flow to the patient’s limbs and internal organs. Without proper blood flow, the organs are deprived of essential nutrients and oxygen. In severe cases, the patient can have one or more organs fail.

In the worst cases, the patient may suffer what is known as “septic shock.” During septic shock, the patient suffers a life-threatening drop in blood pressure. This can quickly result in the failure of the lungs, kidneys and liver, causing death. A patient who is septic needs immediate and aggressive treatment to overcome the infection. A delayed or incorrect diagnosis can be fatal.

Crandall & Pera Law‘s team of attorneys and registered nurses has decades of combined experience helping those affected by misdiagnosis or delayed treatment and their families. We have obtained millions of dollars through jury verdicts and settlement negotiations that give our injured clients financial security. Let us help you, too.

What Are The Symptoms Of Sepsis?

The majority of sepsis cases are due to bacteria infecting surgical sites or devices implanted with poor sterile technique, such as ventilators and urinary or intravenous catheters. The symptoms of septic infection manifest in three stages: sepsis, severe sepsis and septic shock. If sepsis is diagnosed in its early stages, it can be easily treated. If it is not quickly diagnosed, it can lead to severe health complications and even death. A patient must have at least two of the following symptoms to be diagnosed with sepsis:

• Nonoptimal body temperature (above 101F or below 96.8F)
• Elevated heart rate (above 90 beats/minute)
• Elevated respiratory rate (above 20 breaths/minute)
• Patient either has a likely infection or a confirmed infection

In severe sepsis, many symptoms could signal that the patient has a failing organ. These signs may include decreased urine output, a quick change in mental status, a drop in platelet count, difficultly breathing, some sort of abnormal heart function or abdominal pain.

If the patient goes into septic shock, they must present all the symptoms of severe sepsis and extremely low blood pressure. If they have septic shock, their blood pressure will not rise back up to normal levels with simple fluid replacement. Unfortunately, a medical provider may misdiagnose sepsis as the flu.

Sepsis Wrongful Death Lawsuit

Sepsis is an extreme bodily response that occurs when an infection enters the bloodstream. When diagnosed and treated quickly, the prognosis is good. If diagnosis and treatment are delayed, sepsis can quickly lead to death.

After death from sepsis, surviving loved ones may file a wrongful death lawsuit within two years of the date of death when medical negligence caused the misdiagnosis, delayed diagnosis or failure to treat the patient.

Delay In Treatment Or Misdiagnosis?

If you or a family member has suffered because of a health care provider’s negligence in dealing with a blood infection, we want to help. Please call 855-444-6651 or fill out our contact form to set up a time to speak with one of our experienced attorneys.