Necrotising fasciitis can destroy a person’s life. If medical practitioners are at fault due to a delay in diagnosis, the patient may be entitled to make a claim for compensation.
What is necrotising fasciitis?
Necrotising fasciitis is a fast-moving infection caused by bacteria spreading through the soft, deep tissue of the body.
It has a high mortality rate even with patients undergoing treatment and requires early diagnosis and emergency treatment.
Necrotising fasciitis can be caused by a variety of types of bacteria but is usually the result of a cut or wound to the skin which give these bacteria access to the interior of the body.
It is known as a necrotising soft-tissue infection which means that it causes the body’s tissue to die.
What damage is caused by necrotising fasciitis?
Necrotising fasciitis generally affects the abdominal region, the perineum or genital and buttock area and/or the limbs. Therefore, patients who develop necrotising fasciitis are likely to suffer significant tissue and skin loss in these areas.
They can be left with permanent physical damage, scarring and, if the infection has affected the pelvic region, may require a colostomy.
In extreme cases, the patient may even lose a limb because the spread of the infection is so advanced.
How does this occur?
As the bacteria infect the body, tissue will start to die. The infection will spread to surrounding tissue, causing the death of those areas as well.
This can cause a reduction in the ability of the body’s bloodstream to supply itself with oxygen and nutrients and can lead to organ failure.
In severe cases, the body can no longer sustain itself and the patient will die.
Additionally, the treatment for necrotising fasciitis requires that all infected tissue is surgically removed and this process itself will inevitably result in extensive tissue loss.
If the bowel is affected either by the infection itself or during the necessary debridement procedures, the patient may require a colostomy in order to maintain bowel function.
Compensation for medical negligence
Diagnosis and treatment of necrotising fasciitis is a matter of emergency due to the impact as outlined above.
If a patient suffers the appalling long-term effects of this dreadful illness because there was a delay in diagnosing their condition and/or providing treatment, the medical professionals may be considered to have acted negligently.
In that situation, it may be appropriate for the patient to make a claim for compensation for their pain, suffering and on-going losses.
Speak to a solicitor
If you or a loved one have suffered due to a delay in diagnosis or treatment, contact us to discuss your experience. We have supported numerous claims for necrotising fasciitis and will be happy to advise you.
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