Medical Negligence Claims

Septicaemia misdiagnosis

Septicaemia and meningitis are very serious infections which if not diagnosed, or if misdiagnosed, can have potentially life threatening consequences.

Septicaemia is a bacterial infection of the blood, commonly known as blood poisoning. The bacteria which cause septicaemia can live harmlessly in around one in ten people; however it can sometimes pass into the bloodstream causing the infection. Septicaemia can also be a complication of another infection, such as of the lungs or kidneys, and occurs when the bacteria escape that part of the body and get into the bloodstream. The bacteria can also come from burns, infected wounds, boils and tooth abscesses.
Septicaemia can be treated effectively with antibiotics if diagnosed in time.

Medical negligence claims usually relate to misdiagnosis or late diagnosis of the symptoms, leading to the infection being more difficult to treat and the patient suffering unduly.

The symptoms of septicaemia can be any of the following:

• High fever
• Faintness
• Violent shivering
• Vomiting
• Rash
• Cold hands and feet
• Rapid and shallow breathing
• Restlessness
• Delirium
• Shock
• Loss of consciousness

If you have suffered from septicaemia or meningitis and feel that someone has been negligent in diagnosing your illness, you may be able to make a claim for compensation.

What can I claim?

The value of your claim will depend on a number of factors including:

• The nature of the injury or illness
• Whether you recover fully from the injury or illness or if it has a long term effect on your health and wellbeing
• The amount of any losses you incur as a result of the injury

You can claim compensation for the following things if they are a result of your injury:

• Pain, suffering and loss of amenity
• Loss of earnings
• Medical and nursing care costs
• Special equipment needed to carry out daily activities and any costs involved in adapting your home
• Other expenses incurred as a result of your injury, for example, travel expenses incurred whilst receiving medical treatment.

Contact us to speak to one of our specialist lawyers in total confidence and they will discuss the details of your claim.