Whether you ended up with an infection due to surgery, an injury or an illness, or from some other source, you needed medical attention for it. If not caught in time by your doctors, that infection could become quite serious, but there is yet another danger.
Your infection could lead to a condition called sepsis, which can be life-threatening if not treated quickly and aggressively. Even though you may not be able to predict sepsis, your doctors should watch for it, especially if your infection has progressed to a dangerous point. If that didn’t happen, then you may not have received the care to which you deserved.
Understanding sepsis
Before discussing anything further, it may help to understand what sepsis is:
- Sepsis is not an infection.
- You cannot “catch” sepsis.
- Sepsis is a way in which your body may respond to an infection.
- Sepsis happens when your body sends out infection-fighting chemicals throughout your body instead of localizing them to the infection. In simple terms, your body is attacking itself.
- The inflammation associated with sepsis could cause organ damage.
- Your blood may not flow to organs and limbs due to blood clots. Without proper blood flow, your limbs and organs could end up without necessary oxygen and nutrients.
- Your blood pressure could drop to a dangerously low level, called septic shock.
- Sepsis is a serious medical condition, requiring medical attention right away.
- Once you experience a bout of sepsis, you are at an increased risk for it if you contract another infection.
Other than a lifelong disposition to sepsis afterward, you could end up with other lifelong health repercussions as a result. You could find yourself dealing with damaged organs, amputated limbs and more.
Was it medical malpractice?
The fact that your infection progressed into such a dangerous health condition could mean that you received substandard care from your doctor or doctors. Of course, only a thorough investigation will help determine whether that was the case. Even if someone had made a mistake, that still does not mean filing a medical malpractice suit is the best way forward.
The severity of your condition and its aftermath play a significant role in that decision. If you did suffer permanent organ damage, lose a limb or lose part of a limb, among other serious repercussions to your health, filing a claim may be the best course of action. Medical malpractice cases are notoriously complex, so you would be wise to consult with an experienced Pennsylvania attorney to explain your rights and help you make a decision.