- Our Attorneys
- Car Accidents
- Personal Injury
- Workers’ Compensation
- Medical Malpractice
- Criminal Defense
- Locations
- Contact
★★★★★ 5/5
4.9 Rating / 400+ Reviews
Baltimore Sepsis Malpractice Lawyers
hurt in an accident?
CONTACT HYATT & GOLDBLOOM
Sepsis And Septic Shock Malpractice In Baltimore, MD
More than 1 million Americans are afflicted by sepsis each year, and up to 30 of them will die prematurely as a result. Sepsis (also known as septicemia) is a severe – and frequently entirely avoidable – illness that requires hospitals to take considerable measures to prevent both sepsis and septic shock when you arrive. If you or a loved one has suffered nursing home abuse and been afflicted with sepsis or septic shock, you may be entitled to compensation from the practitioners who harmed you. Our Baltimore sepsis lawyers have an excellent track record of success in these types of medical malpractice cases and can assist you in obtaining the financial compensation you need to continue. Schedule a free consultation with Hyatt & Goldbloom’s legal team by calling us today at 410-385-3180.
What Is Sepsis?
When the body reacts to an infection in an exaggerated way, sepsis occurs. The body typically fights infections by releasing chemicals into circulation. This, however, may cause blood pressure to drop and serious organs and tissues to be damaged. Patients might develop septic shock — a very deadly condition in which the organs cease to function – without treatment.
Patients in nursing homes are more likely to get sepsis. These individuals are generally older people who may have difficulties fighting illnesses. Residents of nursing homes might also have pre-existing medical issues that increase their chance of infection significantly. In nursing facilities, staff must take measures to prevent widespread infections that can lead to sepsis. If a loved one you care for becomes infected with sepsis as a result of nursing home neglect, you may be able to obtain justice and compensation by filing a claim. Speak with our Baltimore sepsis malpractice lawyer today at Hyatt & Goldbloom for a free consultation and to learn more about how we can help.
Why Is Sepsis So Dangerous?
You may already be aware that sepsis is potentially deadly, but most people are unaware of the true extent of the damage it does each year. Sepsis (also known as septicemia) is not an infection; rather, it’s a result of the body’s overreaction to invading organisms. It’s easy to avoid in most situations by following basic hygiene standards while undergoing surgery, yet sepsis is the leading killer at hospitals worldwide and has been on the rise for many years. It’s also one of the top three causes of death in America overall.
Even if a person recovers from sepsis, it might still harm important tissues and organs as well as the entire body. More than 50% of individuals who survive sepsis will develop post-sepsis syndrome (PSS), which can include decreased motor function, recurrent pain, anxiety, memory loss, sleeplessness, and a variety of other unpleasant symptoms. PSS persists for up to 18 months after the infection has been eliminated and has a significant emotional, physical, and mental cost on sufferers while they recuperate.
If untreated, sepsis can progress to septic shock, which is far more deadly. This occurs as a result of the entire organ system failing as sepsis takes hold, and it can be seen when blood pressure drops dangerously. The mortality rate for septic shock is usually around 50%. Symptoms of sepsis and septic shock include the following:
- Fever above 101 degrees Fahrenheit
- Mental confusion
- Lethargy and muscle pain
- Difficulty breathing
- Extreme, constant pain
- Dizziness and vertigo
What Causes Sepsis in Nursing Homes?
The most common reason for sepsis in nursing homes is that there are too many people. One of the largest causes is the number of people who visit and work there, including visitors and employees. Each person who enters a nursing home has their own unique set of germs acquired elsewhere. This allows germs to spread more easily, resulting in nursing home infections. The following are some examples of infection-causing agents that can induce sepsis in nursing facilities:
- C. Difficile (a germ that causes severe diarrhea and colitis)
- Escherichia coli (E. coli)
- MRSA
- Some types of streptococcus
- Staphylococcus aureus (staph)
- Vancomycin-resistant enterococcus (a germ normally present in the body that becomes resistant to antibiotics)
Understanding The Stages Of Sepsis
Sepsis in nursing homes generally follows this pattern: sepsis, severe sepsis, and septic shock. As sepsis progresses, blood flow to vital organs decreases. It also causes blood clots that might burst. Because sepsis develops rapidly, it is critical to get immediate medical attention as soon as possible. The sooner sepsis is treated, the better the chances of survival.
Stage 1: Sepsis
The first stage of sepsis can usually be treated if caught early enough before developing into a more severe form. However, without quick and quality medical care from nursing home staff, stage 1 sepsis can quickly turn into stage 2 sepsis. The early stages of sepsis can be diagnosed if at least two of the symptoms below are present:
- Confirmed or suspected infection
- Fever above 101ºF or a temperature below 96.8ºF
- Heart rate greater than 90 beats per minute
- Breathing rate greater than 20 breaths per minute
Stage 2: Severe Sepsis
The progression from stage 1 sepsis to stage 2 sepsis is rapid. The organs damaged by severe sepsis are the inflammatory response to infection. In fact, severe sepsis can affect any organ in the body, including the heart, brain, lungs, kidneys, and/or liver. A person with severe sepsis will have different symptoms depending on which organ is affected, but any form of stage 2 sepsis is incredibly dangerous and must be treated immediately.
Stage 3: Septic Shock
If the earlier stages of sepsis aren’t dealt with effectively, sepsis may progress to acute inflammation of the blood vessels, also known as septic shock. When there is an extremely sharp drop in blood pressure at this third stage, it can be fatal for those who experience it and result in wrongful death. Although septic shock can be treated, the mortality rate is 40%, and survivors become more at risk for future infections. Signs of septic shock include the following:
- Needing medication to maintain a safe blood pressure
- Having high levels of lactic acid in the blood
Frequently Asked Questions
What Are The After Effects Of Sepsis?
Sepsis is dangerous enough, but what many don’t know is that there is often an aftermath associated with sepsis. There is an illness called post-sepsis syndrome, which can affect more than 50% of those who survive sepsis. Some of the long-term effects of the illness include the following:
- Extreme fatigue
- Difficulty concentrating
- Decreased mental functioning
- Muscle and joint pain
- Insomnia
- Nightmares, hallucinations
What Is The Survival Rate Of Septic Shock?
Blood flow to vital organs, such as your brain, heart, and kidneys, decreases when sepsis worsens. Blood clotting may become abnormal in severe sepsis, resulting in tiny clots or burst blood vessels that damage or destroy tissues. The incidence of mild sepsis is roughly 90%, whereas the mortality rate for septic shock is around 40%. Also, an episode of severe sepsis raises your chance of getting future illnesses.
Contact A Baltimore Sepsis Lawyer Today
If you believe that a nursing home’s negligence caused your sepsis condition, or if they neglected to adequately treat sepsis or septic shock, you should consult with a Baltimore sepsis malpractice lawyer at Hyatt & Goldbloom right away. With over 30 years of experience protecting the injured people of Baltimore, we can fight on your behalf and carefully evaluate the evidence to construct a strong personal injury case. For a free case evaluation, call us now at 410-385-3180.