Infection Negligence: Claims & Compensation
Your Guide to Hospital-Acquired Infection Claims
If you or a loved one has suffered due to an infection acquired during a hospital stay, we understand the distress and uncertainty you are experiencing.
Our team of specialists is here to provide clear, compassionate guidance and support. We will assess your situation with empathy and determine if you have grounds to make a claim.
Understanding Hospital-Acquired Infections
Hospital-acquired infections, also known as healthcare-acquired infections, are infections contracted during treatment in a healthcare setting, such as a hospital.
Hospital infections may be viral or bacterial, as well as parasitic. A hospital infection can have devastating consequences for patients and families, which is why it is essential to understand what these infections are and how they occur.
Types of Hospital Infections
Several common types of hospital infections pose risks to patients, many of which can lead to serious health problems. Some examples of common hospital infections include:
- MRSA is a widely known hospital-acquired infection, where complications may include pneumonia, bronchiectasis, bone and joint infections, sepsis, and toxic shock syndrome.
- MSSA, a staph infection caused by bacteria commonly found on the skin can be life-threatening if it enters the bloodstream.
- Clostridium difficile (C. difficile) can affect individuals taking antibiotics, potentially leading to complications, including bowel damage.
- Escherichia coli (E. coli) can cause symptoms such as diarrhoea and severe stomach pains; vulnerable patients may develop haemolytic uraemic syndrome (HUS).
Understanding these common infections is key to ensuring adequate prevention and care.
Symptoms and Consequences of Untreated Infections
Untreated infections can lead to a range of severe symptoms and consequences; medical staff are trained to be on the lookout for signs and symptoms that might suggest that a patient has developed an infection.
Such symptoms may include:
- Fever
- Fatigue
- Loss of appetite
- Weight loss
- Night sweats
- Chills Aches and pains
Medical staff must routinely check that the surgical scar is not hot to the touch and that there is no swelling or hardening of the incision.
The severity of the infection can profoundly impact the individual’s health and quality of life – if there is a failure to diagnose and appropriately treat an infection promptly, this can have serious consequences for a patient, including the loss of a limb or even death.
Causes and Risk Factors
It is understandable that a patient may be concerned about contracting an infection during a hospital stay, especially if they are frail, have low immune systems, are elderly, or are about to undergo surgery.
Techniques such as hand washing, wearing gowns and face masks, and thorough cleaning of wards can help prevent infections from spreading from medical staff to patients, or vice versa.
Surgical negligence can lead to hospital infections, if the surgery is not performed correctly or if there are insufficient infection control protocols in place.
The Impact of Infection Negligence
Negligence within a hospital setting can be a significant factor in how patients contract an infection.
Hospital negligence can occur, for example, if a nurse fails to wash their hands between treating patients, resulting in passing an infection on. Such breaches in protocol highlight how crucial diligent hygiene and stringent adherence to medical standards are.
When these standards are not met, the potential for patients to contract an infection significantly increases, making a claim justifiable and necessary.
When Is a Medical Negligence Claim Justified?
A claim is justified when medical professionals breach their duty of care, causing you unnecessary harm. All healthcare and medical professionals have a duty of care to patients; to meet this duty of care, medical professionals must meet the minimum expected professional standard. If their failure to meet this standard of care caused you unnecessary harm, you could claim compensation.
To make a hospital-acquired infection claim, you must show that negligence has occurred. You must also show that this caused you harm. Proof of medical negligence claims could include photographs of visible symptoms and witness statements. You could also keep a diary of your symptoms. A diary could show how your symptoms have progressed over time and the broader impact they have had on your life.
In addition, a copy of your medical records could further help to prove your claim. Your medical records should contain information on your original condition, the treatment you received, and your health over time, detailing the infection you contracted and any treatment you received for it.
Determining how much compensation you can expect from an infection claim involves considering various factors. The compensation you can claim is split into two types of damages:
General Damages: Non-financial losses, such as pain, in addition to likely future financial losses, such as ongoing care and inability to return to work.
Special Damages: Specific financial losses incurred up to the date of settlement.
Your hospital-acquired infection compensation could include damages for costs such as medical treatment and care, travel costs related to getting to and from medical appointments and loss of income and earnings.
Our Expertise in Infection Negligence Claims
We understand the complexities involved in proving hospital negligence and securing appropriate compensation for those who have suffered an infection.
Our team is accredited by the Law Society for Medical negligence, underscoring our specialist knowledge in this area. We are also Excel certified by the Law Society for our commitment to excellence in legal practice management and client care, so you can rest assured your injury claim is in safe hands.
Frequently Asked Questions
Find the Answers to Common Concerns and Queries
With any clinical negligence, including infection negligence, you typically have three years from the date of the negligence to make a claim. If you only became aware of the negligence at a later date, the three-year time limit may sometimes be counted from this point instead. Understanding these time constraints is crucial.
If you believe you have a valid claim, we advise you to contact us as soon as possible to ensure you do not miss the deadline. Our team can assess your case and advise you on the best course of action.
Your claim process begins with a consultation, where we listen carefully to your experience and explain what to expect.
We will discuss funding options and provide clear, honest advice and manage your claim with sensitivity, keeping you fully informed with regular updates.
Our goal is to ensure the process is as stress-free as possible, allowing you to focus on your recovery.
If you have suffered an infection and believe it was caused by negligence, Dutton Gregory can support you on your journey to achieving justice and compensation.
How We Can Help You
Infection Negligence Claims
When navigating a hospital-acquired infection claim, clear and empathetic guidance is essential.
Your lawyers can provide practical support at every stage, simplifying the process for you, so whether you need advice on gathering medical records or understanding the legal requirements for your claim, assistance is available.
Your situation will be carefully assessed to determine if you have grounds to claim compensation, and efforts will be made to ensure you receive the damages you deserve.
With expertise in infection negligence claims, you can focus on your recovery while the legal complexities are managed on your behalf.
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