Sepsis Claims: Medical Negligence Compensation for Sepsis Negligence

Have you or a loved one suffered sepsis negligence?

Sepsis Claims for compensation are a means of seeking justice and compensation If you contract sepsis following a medical procedure or stay in a hospital.

You may be entitled to pursue a Sepsis Claim if you believe that substandard treatment or medical mistakes have led to avoidable pain and suffering, the need for further procedures or a fatality.

Rest assured that we understand how troubling it must feel to think that yourself or a loved one has suffered unnecessarily, or worse has died due to the mismanagement of their health care.

We fully appreciate and understand the ‘if-only’ scenarios you must be playing over and over and your desire to see justice done. That is where we can help.

At Sheldon Davidson, our solicitors pride themselves on their personal and empathic approach. They are specially trained to conduct cases such as Sepsis Medical Negligence Claims with the sensitivity they deserve.

If you choose us to represent your sepsis negligence claim, you will feel as though you have genuine support. We will give your pain a voice and make sure it is heard by the court.  Ultimately, we will endeavour to ensure that you receive the financial compensation you deserve.

We work tirelessly to pursue the maximum compensation available for our clients and our track record speaks for itself. Our leading medical negligence solicitors are sepsis negligence and misdiagnosis claims experts, with first-hand experience and success in managing Sepsis Claims.

To remove the guesswork and gain some definitive answers on your legal position, call us today for a free initial consultation. 

At Sheldon Davidson Solicitors, our team is deeply committed to a compassionate and personal approach. Our solicitors are specifically trained to handle cases like sepsis negligence claims with the utmost sensitivity and care.

What is sepsis?

Sepsis (also referred to as blood poisoning or Septicaemia) requires urgent medical attention to ensure survival. It is considered acute and serious enough to be treated with the same degree of urgency as a stroke or heart attack.

As such, healthcare professionals have a responsibility to be accurately and timely diagnosing sepsis and treating it to avoid further deterioration. If you believe yourself or a loved one’s care has been mismanaged by healthcare professionals in the treatment of sepsis, then first and foremost you have our sympathy. Secondly, there is a high chance you are entitled to pursue a Sepsis Compensation Claim for financial damages. To gain some clarity on this, call us for a free initial consultation.

Sepsis is the result of the body’s overwhelming response to an infection which results in widespread inflammation. If not treated timely with the right antibiotics it can result in limb loss, organ failure, and even death.

Government estimates indicate that there are around 150,000 cases of sepsis in the UK each year, with around 44,000 of these cases resulting in death. It is currently one of the most common reasons for hospital admissions and inpatient deterioration. For anyone suffering from sepsis time is literally of the essence, as symptoms left untreated can rapidly become fatal.

The severity of the infection progresses through three stages: sepsis, severe sepsis, and septic shock.

Early diagnosis however can be challenging, as symptoms can present like common illnesses such as Influenza. As a result, a failure to detect and diagnose the disease can result in symptoms progressing from sepsis to severe sepsis, or worse into septic shock where the person’s life is in danger.

Who is at most risk of sepsis?

Sepsis can affect anyone who experiences an injury or infection, but certain factors can increase the likelihood of it developing, particularly among those who have recently been hospitalised. If you have undergone surgery, dealt with a significant illness, or had a urinary catheter inserted, your risk of sepsis may be higher.

Individuals with a heightened susceptibility to infections are at an elevated risk of developing sepsis. The following groups are especially vulnerable to this condition:

Infants and the elderly: Both the youngest and oldest members of society are more susceptible to sepsis due to their developing or weakened immune systems, respectively.

Individuals with compromised immune systems: Those with weakened immune systems, such as individuals with ongoing medical treatments like chemotherapy, organ transplant recipients, or individuals with HIV/AIDS, have a higher risk of developing infections that can lead to sepsis.

Pregnant women: Pregnancy can make women more susceptible to infections, which can potentially progress to sepsis.

People with chronic conditions: Individuals living with chronic illnesses like diabetes, kidney disease, or lung disease face an increased risk of sepsis. These conditions can impair the body's ability to fight off infections and recover from them.

Individuals with cancer: Cancer and its treatments can weaken the immune system, making cancer patients more vulnerable to infections that may result in sepsis.

Prevention of sepsis primarily revolves around avoiding infections in the first place. Once an infection occurs, it is crucial to take it seriously and ensure proper treatment until it is completely resolved. 

What is considered sepsis medical negligence?

Early detection of sepsis is critical and if treated quickly with antibiotics most patients make a full recovery with no long term lasting symptoms. However, the risk is severe for anyone whose symptoms go undiagnosed and untreated for an extended period, as every delayed minute allows for further advancement of the disease. The onus is on healthcare professionals to be alert to the symptoms and to take the correct emergency action.

Due to the fact that every minute counts, it remains imperative that timely diagnosis is achieved for patients presenting with sepsis symptoms.

To help enable this the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has recently updated guidance for healthcare professionals in the effort to improve the accuracy and timeliness of sepsis diagnosis.

Their campaign states that there are six warning signs to look for:

1.  Mental State - alteration in mental state

2.  Breathing - more than 25 breaths per minute

3.  Temperature – tympanic (ear) temperature less than 36

4.  Circulation and Hydration – increased heart rate and difficulty passing urine

5.  Skin – mottled or ashen, cyanosis of skin or lips, non-blanching rash of skin

6.  Blood Pressure – a decrease of systolic blood pressure

In the holistic treatment of sepsis any failure to meet the below standard expectations of care could be certified as negligence in a court of law:

• Timely recognition of sepsis symptoms
• Timely performance of diagnostic tests
• Timely diagnosis
• Immediate referral to hospital
• Administration of intravenous antibiotics without delay
• Engagement of Senior Medical staff without delay

The above list is not exhaustive and obviously, every sepsis case has unique circumstances. 

If you believe you or a loved one has received less than the standard level of care for treatment of sepsis and you also believe this has directly aggravated the symptoms and contributed to the eventual outcome then pick up the phone and speak directly with one of our expert lawyers today.

We will be able to listen to the circumstances of your specific case and advise with a high degree of certainty whether there is in fact a case of negligence to be answered.

Sepsis Misdiagnosis Claims

Sepsis is a complex and potentially life-threatening condition that can be difficult to diagnose.

Misdiagnosis of sepsis can occur for a variety of reasons:

Symptom Overlap

The symptoms of sepsis are often non-specific and can mimic other conditions, such as the flu, gastroenteritis, or a urinary tract infection. Symptoms may include fever, increased heart rate, increased respiratory rate, and confusion. In some cases, doctors might initially diagnose a less serious condition due to the similarity in symptoms.

Lack of Awareness

Despite efforts to increase awareness about sepsis among healthcare providers and the public, not all providers may be fully aware of the signs and risk factors of sepsis, particularly in its early stages.

Variable Presentation

Sepsis can affect different individuals in different ways. For instance, older adults might not present with typical symptoms, such as a high fever, and instead might exhibit confusion or disorientation, which can lead to misdiagnosis.

Complexity of Diagnostic Tests

Diagnosing sepsis requires laboratory tests to detect infection in the body, and sometimes imaging tests. These tests may take time, and results may not be immediately available.

Insufficient Information

If a healthcare provider doesn't have complete information about a patient's medical history, they may not consider sepsis in their differential diagnosis. For example, someone who is immunocompromised or has recently had surgery is at a higher risk for sepsis.

Lack of a Single Definitive Test

Sepsis diagnosis often relies on a constellation of symptoms, lab findings, and patient history. The lack of a single, definitive test for sepsis can make diagnosis challenging.

Given these factors, sepsis is often diagnosed late, which can lead to severe complications and poorer outcomes for patients. Ongoing education for healthcare providers, better diagnostic tools and better processes are critical for improving sepsis diagnosis and reducing the impact on patients. 

Sepsis Compensation Claims

If mistakes were made, you may be able to claim compensation.

A medical negligence claim related to sepsis could arise for several reasons.

The most common reasons are misdiagnosis and delayed diagnosis.

When a doctor fails to diagnose sepsis in a timely manner despite clear signs and symptoms, and this delay worsens the patient's condition, it may be considered grounds for a claim.

Furthermore, if sepsis is diagnosed but not treated properly or promptly, resulting in unnecessary harm or deterioration of the patient's condition, it could lead to a medical negligence claim.

Failure to follow guidelines is another factor that can contribute to a claim. Most medical professionals adhere to established guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of sepsis but if a healthcare professional deviates from these guidelines without a valid reason, and the patient suffers harm as a result, it may be seen as a case of medical negligence.

Finally, if a patient is not adequately informed about the potential risks and benefits of a particular treatment or procedure that could lead to sepsis, and they suffer harm as a result, it may provide grounds for a compensation claim.

What injuries can be suffered by sepsis patients?

Many among those who contract sepsis make a full recovery, but there are many whose symptoms progress to a critical, life-threatening level. The mortality rate is obviously dependent on the severity of the disease and what stage it has reached before treatment commences.

While most will fully recover from mild sepsis, the average mortality rate for Septic Shock is 40%. There are also vulnerable populations such as the elderly, pregnant women, infants, those with HIV/AIDS, and cancer patients. If you are seeking to pursue a claim for a loved one who, sadly, has died as a result of what you believe to be Sepsis Negligence, then you have our utmost sympathy.

Although we can never replace the loss you have suffered, we can help you in your quest for justice. Take the first step by calling us today for a free initial consultation for your Sepsis Compensation Claim.

For those who are lucky enough to survive sepsis the lasting effects can be devastating.

They can include but are not limited to:

• Loss of limb(s)
• Brain injury
• Changes in limb sensation
• Reduced Kidney Function
• Lung problems
• Muscle weakness / poor mobility
• Chronic Fatigue
• Joint pains
• Swollen limbs
• Depression
• PTSD
• Repeated Infections

Clearly the lasting impact for sepsis survivors is significant. It is the extent of this impact that would be used to build a legal case to show how the claimant has been impacted and will likely continue to be impacted into the future.

How much can I expect to claim for sepsis negligence?

Although it is not possible to provide a definitive figure at the outset of any claim for financial compensation our expert lawyers will be able to provide some indication by referring to similar cases and the sums eventually awarded by the Court. In awarding financial compensation, however, the Court will seek to reimburse the claimant for two types of damages: 

General Damages: the sum awarded is intended to compensate the claimant for the illness and the impact this has had on your quality of life. Essentially it is intended to cover the non-monetary aspects of the suffering and injuries sustained. 

Special Damages: this sum is intended to compensate the claimant for any out of pocket expenses. Anything that is quantifiable and traceable via receipts would be included here. It would include such things as medical expenses, loss of earnings (including any projected future losses), physiotherapy, counselling, adaptations to the home etc.

The Sheldon Davidson Approach to Sepsis Claims.

Our approach is to bring a human touch to what can often be seen as a cold and daunting process.

We make a great effort to understand our clients, their unique circumstances, and what they are hoping to achieve by pursuing a Legal case. We then set out to help them achieve exactly that.

Our reputation speaks for itself and we remain the go-to medical negligence solicitors across Greater Manchester.

We have solid networks and long-established relationships with medical professionals who are the best in their field in the provision of aftercare and rehabilitation therapies.

We understand what it takes to build a solid case that will eventually secure a financial compensation award.

We have years of experience in supporting claimants on their recovery journeys and similarly those seeking justice for the incomprehensible loss of a loved one due to third party negligence.

From the minute you make contact you will feel valued, heard, and supported and this will continue until you have no further need for our service. To put these bold claims to the test call us today for a free initial consultation.

One of our expert Lawyers will listen to the circumstances of your case and advise with a high degree of certainty whether you are entitled to pursue a claim for financial compensation. During the call you will experience first-hand the human approach we pride ourselves on. Thereafter, whether you choose Sheldon Davidson to represent you remains entirely up to you.

We are confident however that after speaking with one of our experts you will be convinced that we are the best ally to fight your corner and support you on your recovery journey.    ​​​​​​​​

Why choose us?

Established in Manchester in 1997, we are a leading specialist medical negligence, accident at work and personal injury law firm acting for claimants who are victims of non-fault incidents.

Our expert medical negligence solicitors regularly act across Greater Manchester including Ashton, Bury, Bolton, Radcliffe, Prestwich, Middleton, Failsworth, Rochdale, Oldham and Whitefield.

Our team of recognised Sepsis Claims solicitors can support your needs wherever you live in Wales, England & Northern Ireland.

Call us for free now using the number at the top of the page or complete the online contact form and a member of our team will get back to you.