If you have suffered complications because of necrotising fasciitis, you could be entitled to pursue a medical negligence claim for compensation. In this article we explore when you can claim for necrotising fasciitis and how to get more information on taking legal action for medical error.
Necrotising fasciitis medical negligence
Necrotising fasciitis is a rare bacterial infection. It must be diagnosed and treated immediately if complications are to be avoided. Otherwise a patient will be left with a large open flesh wound; it may also lead to sepsis, organ failure and death.
Necrotising fasciitis claims usually arise because complications such as those described above happen because of medical error. Most commonly this will relate to the failure to diagnose in the early stages, or treat the condition urgent:-
- Diagnose in the early stages: when a patient first presents with necrotising fasciitis, he/she will usually have a fever, a severe pain with no known cause and skin that is red and hot to touch. These symptoms should tell medical professionals that an infection is present; steps should then be taken to verify the exact diagnosis. As long as medical professionals apply their knowledge and expertise, there is no reason why necrotising fasciitis cannot be diagnosed within hours of a patient first presenting.
- Treat urgently: when an infection is suspected, a patient should be started on antibiotics straight away. Once necrotising fasciitis is confirmed, surgical debridement to remove the infected tissue should be carried out as a matter of urgency. Any delay will allow the bacteria to spread, increasing the area of infection. Emergency treatment is therefore vital.
Speak to a solicitor
You need to speak to a solicitor if you have had necrotising fasciitis which you believe was not properly handled by medical professionals. This might include if doctors failed to:-
- Make a diagnosis in a reasonable amount of time;
- Provide urgent treatment after a diagnosis of necrotising fasciitis was made.
Whatever the exact circumstances of your care, if you suspect you have been the victim of negligence, get in touch with a specialist solicitor. This will allow you to discuss your experience with a legal expert, who will then advise what options are available to you.
If a solicitor suggests that you were subject to a substandard level of medical care, and this caused you to suffer unnecessary necrotising fasciitis complications, you will be in a position to make a claim.
Contact us today
Contact us today to find out if you can claim for necrotising fasciitis.
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