Meningitis and Sepsis

Sepsis

Failure to identify and treat sepsis (septicaemia)

The UK Sepsis Trust confirms that there are more than 250,000 cases of sepsis in the UK each year and that sepsis kills more people in the UK each year than breast, bowel and prostate cancer combined. The Trust advocates that with better awareness, more than 14,000 deaths and many more permanent life-changing injuries in the UK would be avoided each year – key components being earlier recognition and treatment. The elderly, children and those who are already unwell or undergoing surgical procedures are particularly vulnerable to sepsis. We have acted for many families where sepsis has occurred in the early neonatal period following delivery of their child, causing brain damage. In 2016 NICE produced new guidelines regarding the diagnosis and treatment of sepsis and over the last few years the government has supported an awareness campaign to help reduce the incidence of sepsis by identifying the illness as early as possible.

Symptoms of sepsis

Sepsis can be difficult to diagnose given the differing symptoms which may be linked to the condition. For this reason it’s important that health professionals are always alert to the possibility of a sepsis diagnosis which, if overlooked, can change lives permanently. Symptoms can include those similar to the common cold or flu such as a high or low temperature, chills, breathlessness, confusion and a fast heartbeat. Your medical team should be on high alert to “Think Sepsis” whenever there is concern and follow the “Sepsis 6” protocol which is to provide oxygen, fluids, antimicrobials, take blood cultures, check the blood count and assess urine output within 1 hour of diagnosis. Failure to do so may amount to negligent care.

Why bring a claim

Early treatment can significantly reduce the risk of death and complications. If you have lost a loved one or suffered long-term injury due to sepsis that was not diagnosed or treated swiftly then you may be able to pursue a claim for damages. Damages will provide financial support for you or your family through a difficult period of time. Where you have long-term health issues, compensation helps you reach the best recovery possible and provides support for you in the future.

How we can help

We have developed a specialist meningitis and sepsis team who have successfully acted for many families who have been through the same as you. We will ensure we achieve the best outcome for you and your family irrespective of the complications that have arisen. Using our experience we can carefully review the sequence of events and your medical records to advise further on pursuing a claim for damages on your behalf.

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. Patients: Individuals who have personally experienced harm, injury, or loss as a result of medical negligence or malpractice related to the diagnosis, treatment, or management of sepsis.

  2. Parents or Legal Guardians: If the affected individual is a minor or lacks the capacity to handle legal matters independently, their parents or legal guardians may pursue a sepsis claim on their behalf.

  3. Family Members: In cases where sepsis has led to the death of an individual, certain family members, such as immediate family or those who were financially dependent on the deceased, may be eligible to file a claim for wrongful death and related damages.

We can provide a second opinion free of charge. We have acted for many clients who have been told they don’t have a case, but by looking at the claim in a different way and with our expertise, we have gone on to be successful

All serious injury claims are different and this depends upon when a final prognosis is known and a claim can be valued.

Once we obtain an admission of liability in your case we can request an immediate payment to help with your needs and put support in place.

Medical negligence claims rarely go to court, with only a small percentage of the more complex cases ending up there. However, in the unlikely event that your case reaches court, we will be by your side throughout the process.

It is important to pursue your claim as quickly as possible due to time limits and to also enable us to help you obtain compensation as soon as possible. This is especially the case in complex cases as the process can be lengthy.

You have to start your claim within 3-years (limitation period) from when the injury occurred or when you first became aware of any potential negligence or injury as a result. However, the time limit only begins when a child reaches 18 years of age.

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Experts in Serious Injury claims

Your case is about you and the impact that the surgery or the missed or delayed diagnosis has made to your life and your family. We are here to listen to your concerns so we can fight your corner, using our expertise to help investigate your case.

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