Sepsis

Fort Lauderdale Medical Malpractice Lawyers

Fort Lauderdale Medical Malpractice Lawyer Representing Clients Suffering from Sepsis from a Hospital Acquired Infection

Strong advocates for fair compensation for the injured throughout Fort Lauderdale and South Florida

Sepsis occurs in the body because of an infection. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) describes sepsis, which is also called septic shock or septicemia, as a complication caused by the body’s life-threatening response to an infection, which can lead to tissue damage, organ failure and death. Sepsis can be triggered by (but it is not limited to) a hospital-acquired infection that has gone undiagnosed or improperly treated. The condition is more prevalent in people who are immunocompromised, which is to say people whose immune system is already weakened due to a serious illness such as pneumonia, surgery or an injury.

Being diagnosed with a life-threatening illness such as sepsis because of a hospital-acquired infection can be devastating. The compassionate Fort Lauderdale medical malpractice lawyers at Yeboah Law Group have the resources to investigate your case and hold the medical professionals and hospital administrators accountable for the injuries you have suffered.

What are the symptoms of sepsis?

The CDC says that sepsis does not have a single symptom, rather it is a combination of symptoms, which are like signs of infection because it is the result of an infection:

  • Shivering, fever or very cold
  • Extreme pain
  • Clammy or sweaty skin
  • Confusion or disorientation
  • Shortness of breath
  • Rapid heart rate

Additional symptoms of sepsis include:

  • Dizziness
  • Faintness
  • Confusion
  • Slurred speech
  • Loss of consciousness

If a loved one who has been recently discharged from the hospital or who has had surgery in the past 30 days is suffering from an infection or displays these symptoms, it is vital for you to get them to an emergency room as quickly as possible so that a doctor can see them.

Common types of hospital-acquired infections that can lead to sepsis

The following types of hospital-acquired infections have the potential to lead to sepsis:

  • Pneumonia
  • Bloodstream infection
  • Urinary tract infection
  • Clostridium difficile (C. diff)
  • Surgical site infection

Are there any after-effects of sepsis?

There is an illness called post-sepsis syndrome, which can affect more than 50% of those who survive sepsis. Some of the long-term effects of the illness include:

  • Extreme fatigue
  • Difficulty concentrating
  • Decreased mental functioning
  • Muscle and joint pain
  • Insomnia
  • Nightmares, hallucinations

Sepsis treatment

There are 11 hospitals in the U.S. that have earned the Joint Commissions’ certification for meeting sepsis treatment standards, and three of those institutions are in Florida:

  • Memorial Hospital, Jacksonville
  • Orange Park Medical Center
  • Specialty Hospital, Jacksonville

For the Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade, Baptist Health South Florida South Miami Hospital has earned an “A” grade, with above average scores for controlling MRSA infection and UTI after an ICU stay. They received an average score for blood infection during ICU stay, and below average for surgical site infection after surgery.

Hospital liability for sepsis

When a patient gets a hospital-acquired infection that leads to sepsis, the hospital can be at fault. When the infection occurred because of a disregard for infection prevention, non-sterile procedures, and an environment that does not protect vulnerable patients from dangerous pathogens, you may be able to hold the medical staff and the hospital liable for your injuries.

Sepsis can lead to long-term disability, in some cases permanent disability or death. If treatment for the underlying infection was delayed, or not appropriately monitored, it is a violation of the standard of care for sepsis and it may be grounds for a claim against the doctors and medical staff.

If your medical malpractice attorney from Yeboah Law Group in Miami-Dade can prove that a breach of the standard of care caused your infection and sepsis, you may be able to recover compensation for the following:

  • Pain and suffering
  • Medical expenses now and in the future
  • Lost wages
  • Disability or diminished earning capacity

Schedule a free consult with a South Florida medical malpractice lawyer near you today

If you have sustained a hospital infection induced injury, the attorneys of Yeboah Law Group are here to represent your interests and fight for compensation on your behalf. Please contact us today to discuss your case and get the answers you have been looking for. You can call 954-764-2338 or complete our contact form to schedule a free consultation.

 

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