Sepsis is the body’s toxic response to dangerous infections. Contracting infectious bacteria while seeking treatment or care in a medical environment can have lasting adverse consequences. In the worst cases, the illness can be deadly.
You could be eligible for compensation if you suffered severe harm or a loved one suffered harm or even wrongful death because of severe infections acquired in a hospital or health care setting. One of our experienced medical malpractice attorneys at The Weitz Firm, LLC, can advise you on your legal options. Contact us today to speak to a Pennsylvania sepsis or infection lawyer about your case.
Sepsis is a serious and even life-threatening condition caused by the human body’s response to an infection, which can damage organs and tissues. The most severe cases have a high potential to lead to septic shock, organ failure, and eventually death.
Infections contracted at hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, long-term care facilities, and other healthcare settings present serious risks to already vulnerable individuals with prior health conditions, particularly if the infection becomes antibiotic-resistant.
Causes of severe infections in healthcare settings include:
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nursing care, medical procedures, and other services can expose patients to dangerous germs, leading to life-threatening or fatal illnesses. Our attorneys can investigate the cause of a contagious illness in Pennsylvania and gather the vital evidence needed to establish fault and collect a just settlement.
The components needed to prove liability include the following:
In Pennsylvania, attorneys filing lawsuits resulting from septicemia and other infections linked to hospitals and health care environments must establish all the elements of negligence to obtain successful settlements.
Understanding the state’s injury statutes (also called tort statutes) is crucial for winning damages from health care providers. The first is the medical malpractice statute of limitations, which requires the patient and their lawyer to file the case in Pennsylvania within two years of the infectious disease negligence and injuries.
The state statutes require the patient to file a Certificate of Merit with the claim for damages or within 60 days of filing the petition. According to the Pennsylvania Rule of Civil Procedure 1042.3 guidelines, a qualified medical professional must review the case specifics and certify that there is reasonable cause for legal action against the medical provider. Failure to meet with a competent medical professional to complete and file the affidavit within the required timeframe will result in the civil court judge dismissing the case.
Hazardous bacteria contracted in a medical setting cause the body to react in an attempt to fight the infection. The infection can cause mild to severe reactions, including sepsis, and is almost always the result of preventable errors.
When negligence causes patients to suffer harm, medical malpractice laws allow the injured parties to pursue compensation from the liable party. Call a compassionate Pennsylvania sepsis or infection lawyer today to schedule a free consultation and learn more about your rights.
We are highly selective in the cases we undertake to ensure that can give each client his full attention. You can schedule an appointment for a personal injury consultation at our Philadelphia office by calling us, or by filling out our online intake form.
