Wellers’ medical negligence solicitors work throughout Kent and Surrey and offer a free, no-obligation initial meeting to discuss your circumstances and whether a medical negligence claim is appropriate. Contact the team today on: 020 8290 7958 or email us. Alternatively fill in our short online form and we will contact you.
People in hospital and care homes are often particularly vulnerable to infections and the practitioners who look after them have a duty to ensure that best-practice is maintained. When standards have fallen below the required levels, it may be possible to make a medical negligence claim for the following:
Hospital Superbug Infections
Screening for MRSA and MSSA
Some hospitals and NHS trusts carry out infection screening tests for superbugs before patients go in for surgery or are admitted an overnight stay. Swabs (similar to a cotton bud) will be run over several areas of skin and then sent for analysis. If you are found to be a carrier of either MRSA or MSSA you will be contacted and, if appropriate, a treatment plan will be put in place
Post Operative Infections
Unfortunately, infection following surgery is a known risk of any invasive procedure and, in many cases, there will be no explanation as to how or why the infection occurred and where the bacteria emanated from.
However, in cases where there is an obvious failure in infection control or hygiene standards, such as failure to sterilise equipment or to properly screen and isolate patients with infections, then a clinical negligence claim may be pursued. Such cases are, thankfully, becoming more infrequent, but worryingly, there are still a significant number of claims made each year in relation to healthcare professionals failing to identify and manage post-operative infection. Please see our page on “doctor failures” for more information.
Sepsis (septicaemia)
Without timely diagnosis and correct treatment sepsis (also sometimes incorrectly called septicaemia) is a potentially life threatening condition. When localised infection is encountered within the body the immune system produces white blood cells which attack the infection and prevent it spreading. This is known as inflammation. For anyone who has a weakened immune system or if the infection is particularly severe, this inflammation can spread quickly across the entire body, damaging tissue and affecting blood flow. When blood pressure drops there is a risk of organ failure and permanent tissue damage.
There are a number of vulnerable groups who may be prone to sepsis including the very young and the elderly and those with known medical conditions such as diabetes and those being treated for HIV, leukaemia and cancer. People being treated in hospital following accidents or surgery, those who are being mechanically ventilated and those who have drips or catheters attached are also at risk of sepsis if they encounter bacteria whilst being treated. See our page on “delayed diagnosis” for more information on the accountability of healthcare professionals.
Making a medical negligence claim with Wellers
Suing the NHS and making a medical negligence compensation claim against any doctor, surgeon or healthcare practitioner is a complex process and each case is unique. At Wellers we will provide you with a free no-obligation interview to establish the circumstances of your claim and consider the likelihood of success.
Our medical negligence solicitors are members of the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers (APIL). Please note that we cannot offer Legal Aid, but we will be happy to discuss funding options including No Win No Fee agreements.
For professional and caring help with your medical negligence claim contact us on 0208 290 7958 and ask to speak to one of our personal injury lawyers or email Penny.Langdon@wellerslawgroup.com.