With the growing problem of sepsis in the UK people are increasingly asking, ‘Can I make a sepsis claim?’
In this article we look at common issues involving sepsis cases, including delays in recognising the condition and the consequences this can lead to. So, if you have been wondering, ‘Can I make a sepsis claim on a no win, no fee basis’, then you can call our FREE LEGAL HELPLINE on 0333 888 0412 or send an email to us at [email protected]
The UK Sepsis Trust has confirmed that many NHS Hospitals are using guidelines developed by them to reduce the number of deaths due to sepsis. Sepsis is known to claim the lives of approximately 52,000 individuals per year and presents a major health threat. Although awareness of the dangers posed by sepsis is growing, lack of education about the risks persists.
People are often surprised to learn that sepsis can start from just a small wound. In the initial stages it can often look as though the individual has flu and this can result in precious time being lost in making a correct diagnosis. If prompt medical treatment is not obtained sepsis can may lead to multi-organ failure and death.
NICE Clinical Guidelines identify groups with a high risk of sepsis include are those:-
- under the age of 1 or over the age of 75 and are very frail;
- with impaired immune systems
- who have undergone surgery within the last 6 weeks;
- who have suffered from burns, scratches, cuts or skin infections;
- who have a catheter; and
- who have recently given birth, miscarried or are pregnant.
Those who believe that serious injury or death could have been avoided if medical professionals had acted sooner will want to know if they can make a sepsis claim.
Can I make a sepsis claim?
If you have been injured or have lost a loved one due to a delay in the recognition and diagnosis of sepsis then you may be entitled to make a sepsis claim.
In order to bring a claim we will need to consider the following legal issues:-
- Whether the treating medical professionals have failed to comply with the required standards when undertaking investigation and management of suspected sepsis;
- Did the patient suffer a demonstrable loss or injury as a direct result of a medical practitioner’s care falling below the reasonable standard?;
- But for the failure of the treating medical practitioner, would the patient have received reasonable sepsis management and treatment, which on balance, would have prevented their death or serious injury.
If you feel you may have a case and would like further guidance on ‘Can I make a sepsis claim?‘ then it is important not to delay. In order to bring a clinical negligence claim you must issue court proceedings within three years of the date of injury (or three years from the date of knowledge). This may seem like a long time, but extensive investigations need to be carried out. Furthermore, the longer you leave it the greater the risk of key evidence being lost.
Thousands of individuals each year are affected by sepsis. If you are one of them and would like legal advice from a specialist medical accident lawyer then call our FREE LEGAL HELPLINE on 0333 888 0412 or email us at [email protected]