Lisa Hughes, Solicitor at Jackson Lees looks at the possible claims which can arise if sepsis is not treated early and promptly.

Wirral Globe: Lisa Hughes, Solicitor at Jackson Lees Lisa Hughes, Solicitor at Jackson Lees (Image: Jackson Lees)

According to the UK Sepsis Trust, 245,000 people are affected by sepsis in the UK each year and 48,000 people lose their lives in sepsis-related illnesses. 40 per cent of all sepsis survivors suffer permanent and life-changing effects.

What is sepsis?

Sepsis, which is also known as blood poisoning, is a rare but serious complication of an infection which can arise when the body’s response to infection causes injury to its own organs and tissues. It is a medical emergency and can be life-threatening if not treated promptly.

What are the signs of sepsis?

Symptoms present differently between adults and children:

Common symptoms in adults include: slurred speech or confusion, extreme shivering or muscle pain, low urine output, breathlessness and mottled or discoloured skin.

Common symptoms in children include: mottled or pale skin, a rash that doesn’t fade when you roll a glass over it, difficulty breathing or breathing fast, lethargic not responding like they normally do such as appearing uninterested in eating or normal activities.

In some cases, the more severe symptoms can develop into what is referred to as “septic shock”, these include signs of worsening organ function such as difficult or rapid breathing, rapid heart rate, low blood pressure or low urine output.

How can sepsis be diagnosed?

Sepsis is diagnosed based on a patient’s temperature, heart rate, breathing rate and the ordering of blood tests in patients who are suspected to have a new infection. Severe sepsis is diagnosed when the septic patient has organ dysfunction.

It is important that the medical professional reviewing a patient identifies any particular factors that put a patient at an increased risk of sepsis such as the very young (under age 1), the elderly (over age 75), those who are frail and those who have any breaches of the skin such as cuts, burns, blisters or skin infections.

However, when sepsis occurs in circumstances where a patient is expected to be experiencing pain, such as following a surgical procedure then it can be more difficult to distinguish the signs of sepsis from any other anticipated symptom.

Whilst sepsis is common, it is often the cause of many clinical negligence claims.

This may be because although the initial symptoms can be mild, they can often be overlooked and confused with other conditions such as flu. This can sometimes mean that patients are not assessed promptly and treatment for sepsis can be delayed when the infection is still in the early stages.

Another source of negligence claims is when sepsis is identified but it is not treated effectively and quickly enough.

A delay in diagnosis and treatment of sepsis can lead to worsening symptoms and a risk of septic shock, organ failure or even death.

Therefore, early diagnosis and treatment of sepsis is vital to prevent deterioration and permanent injury, such as brain injury.

However, sepsis can develop despite preventative steps. In certain situations, patients will be given antibiotics to prevent infection from developing. However, due to the type or cause of the infection, antibiotic treatment may not be effective and sepsis may develop despite all reasonable steps being taken to prevent it.

Here at Jackson Lees, we represent a number of clients who have been affected by the misdiagnosis or delayed treatment of sepsis. Compensation payments can range from several hundred pounds for a period of prolonged pain and suffering to several thousands of pounds for more serious injuries involving permanent physical and or neurological disabilities.

If you or a loved one has been affected by substandard medical treatment, you may be able to claim medical negligence compensation to help you move on from this mistake and put your life back together.

For a free consultation with one of our legal team call us on 0808 159 8144 or email enquiry@jacksonlees.co.uk or visit our website www.jacksonlees.co.uk.

If you have been injured by a medical professional, we are here to help you.

What we can do for you…

  • We deal with cases on a ‘no win, no fee basis’
  • We provide a dedicated team of lawyers supported by a doctor, nurse,  midwife and radiographer
  • We handle a full range of claims up to life changing injuries or those involving death of a loved one.
  • We have male and female solicitors available for sensitive issues
  • We can visit you at your home and out of hours if required
  • We are independently accredited as experts in this field by the Law Society and AvMA (Action against Medical Accidents).

 

If you feel you may have been mistreated medically, or if someone you care about has, please contact our dedicated team on 0808 159 8144 for a confidential chat with a legal expert.