Strong Representation For White Plains Sepsis And Medical Malpractice Claims
Sepsis is a painful and dangerous infection that can be contracted in a medical setting. If you or a loved one has suffered due to a sepsis infection and you believe medical negligence is to blame, the attorneys at Meagher & Meagher, P.C. are here to help you explore your legal options. With law offices in White Plains, we have significant experience handling medical negligence claims for people throughout New York.
How Does Sepsis Occur?
Many sepsis infections contracted in hospitals are preventable if only hospital personnel followed established protocols. In handling sepsis-related medical negligence claims, we aggressively seek out the facts pertaining to how the condition occurred and to identify lapses in medical treatment that may have allowed the infection to occur and spread. Causes of sepsis in a medical setting include:
- Inadequately sterilized equipment
- Poorly maintained filtration systems
- Failure to properly treat surgical wounds, bedsores and other injuries
- The use of defective medical devices
Like many medical conditions, sepsis can often be treated successfully if promptly detected. When a diagnosis is late, however, the infection can spread and put the patient in serious danger. Patients can lead to dangerous drops in blood pressure which can lead to septic shock. When an infection is left untreated, the body’s inflammation response can cause life-threatening stress on internal organs. In the worst cases, sepsis can lead to life-long medical problems and even wrongful death.
When To Suspect Medical Negligence
Not all sepsis cases involve negligence, but the quality of care received should be considered. These warning signs can help you determine if your sepsis warrants further investigation by a medical malpractice attorney.
A hospital-acquired infection, like sepsis, can develop when infection control protocols are ignored. Preventing these infections requires vigilant adherence to established medical guidelines. When these standards are breached, patients face risks that can lead to devastating consequences, like severe sepsis and septic shock.
Key negligence indicators to watch for include:
- Visible lapses in staff hygiene practices, such as failure to wash hands or change gloves between patients
- Improper sterilization of medical equipment or reuse of single-use items
- Inadequate cleaning and disinfection of patient rooms or treatment areas
- Delayed response to early infection symptoms, allowing progression to an advanced condition
- Failure to follow established wound care protocols, including infrequent dressing changes
- Negligent management of invasive medical devices such as catheters, IVs, or ventilators
- Insufficient monitoring of patients at high risk for infection
- Inappropriate antibiotic use or failure to adjust treatment when infections don’t respond
Pay attention to the timeline and progression of the infection. Sepsis typically presents with early warning signs such as fever, increased heart rate, and confusion. When medical professionals fail to recognize these symptoms, the infection can rapidly progress to severe sepsis and septic shock. These can cause organ failure and dangerous blood clot formation throughout the body.
Documentation issues can also indicate negligence. Medical records should thoroughly document vital signs, symptoms, test results, and treatments. Gaps or inconsistencies in these records may suggest substandard care or attempts to conceal mistakes. If you notice an unusual reluctance among hospital staff to discuss how the infection developed or progressed, this could be a sign.
Determining whether negligence contributed to sepsis typically requires consultation with medical experts who specialize in infectious diseases and hospital protocols. These specialists can review records and identify deviations from the standard of care. They can explain whether your infection was a foreseeable and preventable complication or an unavoidable risk despite proper care.
Our attorneys work closely with qualified medical experts to thoroughly investigate sepsis cases. We examine all aspects of your care, from admission protocols to treatment decisions, identifying where breakdowns in proper procedure may have occurred.
Speak With An Attorney Who Can Protect Your Rights
If you or someone close to you has suffered from sepsis and you have questions about your legal rights, our lawyers are here for you. To arrange a free initial consultation with an experienced medical malpractice attorney in White Plains, contact our law offices online or by telephone at 914-246-2958.