Each year, around 1.7 million Americans develop sepsis while hospitalized, and at least 350,000 of them die as a result, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Furthermore, around one in three people who died in a hospital had sepsis during their hospitalization.
Sepsis, while scarily common, is treatable if it is caught in its early stages. And depending on the situation, it may be the basis for a medical malpractice lawsuit. Here we’ll dive into what sepsis is, how to recognize it, a timeline of progression, and when you should file a personal injury lawsuit over it.
What is Sepsis?
Sepsis is a blood infection resulting from the immune system’s improper response to parasitic, viral, or fungal sources. Symptoms include:
- Fever/chills
- Pain
- Nausea/vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Low blood pressure
- Shallow breathing
- Sweating
- Light-headedness
If it is left untreated, it can do severe organ damage or even become fatal.
The Stages of Sepsis
There are three main stages of sepsis:
1. Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (SIRS)
SIRS is the earliest form of sepsis, in which symptoms begin to show, but it only progresses to severe sepsis once an infection is present.
2. Severe Sepsis
This is when organs such as kidneys, liver, lungs, and others begin to malfunction, eventually leading to failure if left untreated. This leads to sudden changes in emotions/mental state, abnormal breathing patterns, pain in the abdomen, and more.
3. Septic Shock
Septic shock is when sepsis causes a severe decrease in blood pressure, greatly increasing the risk of death. Symptoms of septic shock are being unable to stand, having difficulty staying awake, or severe changes in cognitive abilities/mood.
How Long Does it Take to Die from Sepsis?
The more sepsis progresses, the more likely it is to result in a fatality. In stage one, the majority of people who receive treatment make a full recovery. However, in later stages, chances of survival drop significantly — in stages two and three, chances of survival are 60-70% and 30-50%, respectively.
In its earlier stages, fluids and antibiotics can knock out sepsis with minimal issues, whereas later stages require admission to ICU and more aggressive treatment.
When is Sepsis the Result of Medical Malpractice?
There are a number of circumstances in which sepsis results from medical negligence/malpractice:
- Misdiagnosis: If your doctor believes your symptoms are caused by something else and doesn’t perform the proper tests to ensure your safety, you probably have a viable lawsuit on your hands.
- Ignored symptoms: In extreme cases in which doctors don’t appreciate the severity of your condition and don’t act quickly enough, and it results in a sepsis diagnosis, there’s a good chance you’ll be entitled to damages.
- Mistreatment: This almost goes hand-in-hand with misdiagnosis, but it also includes delayed treatment. Essentially, if doctors are aware that you are in the midst of a medical emergency and do not administer the proper treatment on time, it is a form of medical negligence.
- Ignoring protocol: Hospitals and other types of medical facilities have strict standard operating procedures to ensure patient safety. If these processes were ignored at any point and it directly leads to a sepsis infection, they can be held liable.
Sepsis is a Serious Matter. Call Someone Who Will Treat it as Such.
If you or a loved one believe you’ve experienced a sepsis diagnosis due to the negligence of a doctor or hospital system, give me a call today. I’ve helped hundreds of clients receive millions of dollars in damages to cover medical bills, lost wages, and more.
Throughout my career, I’ve become knowledgeable of all Illinois laws, hospital systems, insurance companies, and medical experts. I’ll build your case for you and connect with medical experts on your behalf so you can focus on what matters most — getting on the road to recovery.
The sooner you file a claim, the better. Don’t wait, get a free consultation today.
