If your necrotising fasciitis or Fournier’s Gangrene was negligently handled by medical professionals, you will be entitled to pursue a medical negligence compensation claim.
The easiest way to find out when and if you can claim is to call us now for free, no obligation advice on 0800 234 3300 (or from a mobile 01275 334030) or complete our Free Online Enquiry.
When can you claim for necrotising fasciitis/Fournier’s Gangrene?
Anyone who has been the victim of medical negligence will be able to make a claim. Medical negligence means the level of care provided has fallen below a reasonable standard, causing a patient to suffer harm. With regards to necrotising fasciitis and Fournier’s Gangrene, the standard of care may be considered unacceptable due to:
A failure to diagnose
Necrotising fasciitis must be diagnosed quickly if a patient is to escape serious consequences. But unfortunately medical professionals do not always make an accurate diagnosis. Often this is because the symptoms are mistaken for a more minor condition – an error that could have been avoided had a proper assessment and the necessary diagnostic tests been performed. This wrongful diagnosis will cause a dangerous delay as the infection will spread rapidly. A patient will become increasingly unwell and a larger area of tissue will ultimately have to be debrided.
Delayed treatment
Once necrotising fasciitis is diagnosed, no time should be wasted in treating the condition. A strong course of intravenous antibiotics should be administered and the area of necrotic tissue surgically debrided. This procedure is urgent and should be performed at the earliest opportunity. However, medical practitioners do not always appreciate the urgency with which treatment must be given and delay surgery. The infection will therefore continue to grow until surgery is finally performed. By that stage the area of necrotic tissue will be far larger than if surgery had been carried out promptly.
Wrongful treatment
There are occasions when necrotising fasciitis or Fournier’s Gangrene is diagnosed and treatment given – and yet it is not the correct treatment. Often this occurs because medical professionals do not assess what type of bacteria is causing the infection and so do not provide the correct antibiotics, other times it will be that doctors do not realise surgical debridement is required to remove all the infected tissue – something which may take several procedures.
Find out if you can claim for necrotising fasciitis
These are some of the most common ways in which a claim for necrotising fasciitis or Fournier’s Gangrene can arise. Every case is different and it can be difficult to know whether or not you have been the victim of medical negligence. That is why it is best to speak to a legal expert about the care you received. After a short discussion, a solicitor who specialises in this area of law will be able to advise you whether or not you have a claim.
To find out if you have been the innocent victim of medical negligence, get in touch with us today. We will be more than happy to share our expert legal knowledge with you and can help you obtain the compensation you deserve.
Free, No Obligation Enquiry
Call us now on 0800 234 3300 (or from a mobile 01275 334030) or complete our Free Online Enquiry.
