Baltimore Infection/Sepsis Misdiagnosis Lawyers

Attorneys for Failure to Diagnose and Treat Infections or Sepsis in Baltimore, MD

Sepsis is a term that describes a severe illness caused by an infection in the body. Often referred to as a systemic illness, the infection spreads throughout the body via the bloodstream. It can be life-threatening, especially if it is not recognized and treatment is not provided in time.

At Silverman Thompson, our attorneys understand how patients can be affected when sepsis is misdiagnosed or when medical providers fail to act quickly to protect a patient's health. We work with clients to address negligence by doctors, nurses, or others that has caused patients to suffer harm. With our experience handling claims on behalf of patients who have been injured due to medical negligence, we can make sure a person and family will be able to address the damages that have occurred because of malpractice involving infections or sepsis.

How Sepsis Develops

Although the original source of the infection can be undeterminable, it may begin from otherwise moderately benign infections such as pneumonia, an open bedsore (decubitus ulcer), or a urinary tract infection. A misdiagnosis or failure to diagnose a serious infection or sepsis can cause serious harm to a patient.

When left untreated, this systemic infection can be lethal. Generally, a patient who develops an infection is at risk for sepsis if the infection goes untreated. Initially, a patient may only experience the symptoms of a localized infection (for example, in the case of an open pressure ulcer/bedsore, the wound may be inflamed and reddened). However, as the infection spreads beyond the local area, a patient can experience such symptoms as a fever, whole body chills, and even a change in neurological function. Lastly, and most ominously, a patient's body will exhibit signs of shock and dysfunction, including extremely low blood pressure (hypotension), shock, and organ failure.

Diagnosis of Sepsis

Many studies indicate that to make a diagnosis of the clinical syndrome sepsis, at least two of the following four symptoms must be present: (1) elevated white blood cell count; (2) elevated pulse; (3) elevated breathing rate; and (4) temperature above 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit.

Other symptoms commonly associated with sepsis include shaking/chills, vomiting, diffuse body pain, and abnormal behavior/neurological abnormalities. A change in mental status and elevated breathing rate may be among the earliest signs of sepsis that should alert a health care provider to this potential ongoing process. Bruising and bleeding are also common signs of sepsis.

Medical Malpractice Related to Sepsis

Unfortunately, deaths related to untreated or undiagnosed sepsis are becoming all too common. Sadly, many of these deaths occur even while a patient is being monitored in a hospital's intensive care unit.

By and large, medical malpractice cases arising out of death due to sepsis stem from the healthcare provider's failure to diagnose an underlying infection and/or properly interpret the signs and symptoms that strongly indicate that the infection is becoming systemic in nature.

These injuries and deaths are preventable in most instances through vigilance from health care providers, including doctors, nurses, residents, technicians, and other caregivers. When providers fail to monitor patients, recognize signs of sepsis, and respond appropriately, patients who suffer harm will need to understand what steps they can take to address the harm they have suffered.

Contact our Baltimore Sepsis Misdiagnosis Attorneys

When a person has been affected by the failure to diagnose and treat sepsis or negligence resulting in sepsis, the attorneys at Silverman Thompson can help them and their family recover compensation for the harm they have suffered due to medical negligence. Andrew G. Slutkin and Ethan S. Nochumowitz have the experience needed to resolve these cases successfully and protect the rights of victims and their families. Contact our Baltimore, MD infection and sepsis injury lawyers at 410-385-2225 to set up a free consultation.