Miami Sepsis & Septic Shock Lawyer

More than 1 million Americans are affected by sepsis every year, and up to 30 of those individuals will face the prospect of an untimely death. Because sepsis (also called septicemia) is so serious – and often entirely preventable – it’s vital that healthcare professionals and doctors take due precautions to prevent both sepsis and septic shock when you visit the hospital.

If you or a loved one has contracted a case of sepsis and become severely injured as a result, you may have grounds to pursue compensation from the healthcare providers who failed to prevent or subsequently treat your condition. Our Miami sepsis & septic shock lawyers have a proven record of success, and can help you fight for the financial recovery that you need to move forward. Schedule a FREE consultation with the legal team at Freidin Brown, P.A. by calling us today, or by submitting our form online today.

Why Is Sepsis So Dangerous?

You may already be aware that sepsis can be deadly, but all too few are aware of the true toll this condition takes every year. Contrary to popular belief, sepsis (also called septicemia) is not a type of infection, but rather the body’s overwhelming immune response to infection. It’s easily preventable in most cases by observing basic hygiene protocols during surgery, and yet sepsis is the leading cause of death in hospitals, with the number of sepsis cases rising each year. It’s also the third most common cause of death in the U.S. overall.

Even if an individual survives a case of sepsis, it may cause permanent damage to critical tissues and organs, as well as the body as a whole. More than 50 of patients who survive sepsis will experience a condition called post-sepsis syndrome (PSS), which can lead to decreased motor function, recurring pain, anxiety, memory loss, sleeplessness, and many other painful symptoms. PSS lasts for up to 18 months and takes a tremendous emotional, physical, and mental toll on recovering patients, even interfering with their ability to work.

Although sepsis is dangerous enough on its own, if untreated it will often progress into septic shock, which is even more deadly. This is the result of entire organ systems deteriorating as the sepsis takes hold, and can be identified when the patient experiences a dangerous drop in blood pressure. The mortality rates for septic shock are often 50 or higher.

Symptoms of sepsis and/or septic shock can include:

• High fever, at or above 101 degrees;
• Low body temperature, at or below 95 degrees;
• Elevated heart rate, at or above 90 beats per minute;
• Rapid breathing, at or above 20 breaths per minute;
• Distressed or difficulty breathing;
• Extreme drop in blood pressure;
• Abdominal pain;
• A change in mental state, which can be difficult to evaluate for individuals with dementia; and,
• Other unusual signs.

Types of Evidence in Sepsis Malpractice Claims

Once the individual’s health stabilizes, you should consult with an attorney regarding next steps; the same is true in the unfortunate event that your loved one passed away from sepsis or septic shock. Among the first tasks is gathering essential evidence from the nursing home, so your lawyer will assist in obtaining:

• Resident medical records, which can reveal the first signs of infection and how staff responded;
• Staffing logs that show how many people were working each shift, a key detail that can prove understaffing;
• Organizational policies and procedures regarding infection control, sanitization and sterilization practices, and other information;
• Maintenance logs showing when employees changed linens, cleaned bathrooms and common areas, and other infection prevention; and,
• Witness statements from those who may have observed misconduct that led to sepsis.

Sepsis Is Preventable. Hold Negligent Healthcare Professionals Accountable.

Patients who contract sepsis, regardless of the ultimate outcome, experience considerable pain and suffering over the course of their experience, much of which may be needless. In some cases, the condition may even lead to a wrongful death.

Although sepsis can happen as the result of any infection that progresses into a dangerous stage, it most frequently occurs at hospitals, health clinics, nursing homes, and other facilities, due to fact that these institutions handle bodily fluids on a daily basis, and may not always clean their equipment properly. Health care providers are legally required to provide a high standard of care when you are admitted, and even if you signed a medical consent form, there is no excuse for negligence.

Contact Our Miami Medical Malpractice Lawyers Today

If you believe that your sepsis injury was caused by a medical practitioner’s negligence, or that they failed to properly treat sepsis or septic shock, you may want to consider discussing your case with a Miami medical malpractice lawyer at Freidin Brown, P.A. With more than 100 years of combined experience in personal injury and millions of dollars won in medical malpractice settlements, we can fight on your behalf and carefully examine the evidence to build a strong case. Contact us today for a FREE evaluation. We serve clients throughout Florida and surrounding areas.