Free Case Evaluation
Kentucky Failure to Diagnose and Treat Sepsis Lawyers
Dedicated representation when your Kentucky doctor fails to diagnose or treat sepsis
Sepsis is a life-threatening condition requiring immediate medical attention. When doctors fail to diagnose or properly treat sepsis, patients can suffer devastating results, including organ failure, amputations, or even death. If you or a loved one experienced harm due to a medical professional’s negligence in diagnosing or treating sepsis, you may have a medical malpractice case. The lawyers at Crandall & Pera Law are here to help.
Free Case Evaluation
Table of Contents
- What is sepsis?
- What are the symptoms of sepsis?
- Why do Kentucky medical professionals fail to diagnose sepsis?
- What are my legal options if I’ve suffered from medical malpractice in Kentucky?
- How can your failure to diagnose and treat sepsis lawyers help with my case in Kentucky?
- What is the value of my failure to diagnose and treat sepsis case in Kentucky?
- How long do I have to file a medical malpractice lawsuit in Kentucky?
What is sepsis?
The Mayo Clinic describes sepsis as follows:
Sepsis is a serious condition in which the body responds improperly to an infection. The infection-fighting processes turn on the body, causing the organs to work poorly.
Sepsis may progress to septic shock. This is a dramatic drop in blood pressure that can damage the lungs, kidneys, liver and other organs. When the damage is severe, it can lead to death.
Early treatment of sepsis improves chances for survival.
What are the symptoms of sepsis?
Symptoms of sepsis can sometimes be mistaken for other conditions, which is why doctors need to be so vigilant in recognizing the warning signs. Some of the most common symptoms include:
- High fever or low body temperature
- Rapid heartbeat
- Confusion or disorientation
- Extreme pain or discomfort
- Shortness of breath
- Clammy or sweaty skin
Sepsis can escalate quickly, meaning that medical professionals must act quickly. Delaying the diagnosis and treatment can be deadly.
Why do Kentucky medical professionals fail to diagnose sepsis?
Medical providers should be trained to recognize and treat sepsis. However, mistakes and negligence can occur, often with catastrophic consequences. Some common reasons doctors might fail to diagnose sepsis include the following.
In the early stages, symptoms of sepsis may be mild or resemble a common illness like the flu. Some doctors fail to recognize the warning signs and dismiss a patient’s concerns, leading to delayed treatment.
Sepsis can be diagnosed through blood tests, imaging scans, and other medical assessments. If a doctor fails to order the necessary tests, they may miss the diagnosis entirely.
Doctors may mistake sepsis for another condition, like a respiratory infection or dehydration. If sepsis is not diagnosed properly, it can quickly progress to a life-threatening situation.
Even when sepsis is diagnosed, some doctors fail to administer the right treatment properly. Patients often need antibiotics, IV fluids, and intensive care. Delayed treatment can cause severe complications, including organ failure, tissue damage, or death.
What are my legal options if I’ve suffered from medical malpractice in Kentucky?
When a doctor or hospital fails to properly diagnose and treat sepsis, the consequences can be devastating. If medical negligence caused or worsened your condition, you may have grounds for a medical malpractice claim. For a successful malpractice case, our attorneys work to prove:
- The doctor or medical professional owed you a duty of care.
- The provider failed to meet this standard of care by misdiagnosing or mistreating your sepsis.
- This failure caused you direct harm, like severe injury, disability, or death.
- You suffered damages, such as medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, or funeral costs in the case of wrongful death.
How can your failure to diagnose and treat sepsis lawyers help with my case in Kentucky?
Medical malpractice cases can be complicated, and they require strong legal representation. The experienced Kentucky medical malpractice attorneys at Crandall & Pera Law can help:
- Our lawyers can review your medical records, consult with medical experts, and gather evidence to determine whether negligence occurred.
- Our skilled attorneys collect expert testimony, hospital records, and other pieces of evidence to prove that your medical provider’s actions (or inactions) directly harmed you or your loved one.
- Our lawyers handle negotiations to fight for the compensation you deserve. Hospitals and doctors have powerful insurance companies that will try to minimize or even deny your claim.
If we can’t reach a fair settlement, we are always prepared to take your case to court and advocate for maximum compensation on your behalf.
What is the value of my failure to diagnose and treat sepsis case in Kentucky?
If you or a loved one have suffered from sepsis due to malpractice, you may be entitled to financial compensation for your:
- Medical bills, which includes hospitalizations, medications, surgeries, and rehabilitation costs.
- Lost wages, if you are unable to work due to the complications of your sepsis.
- Pain and suffering, which is compensation for your physical pain, emotional distress, and reduced quality of life.
- Long-term disability costs, if your sepsis caused permanent damage like an amputation or organ failure, requiring ongoing medical care.
- Wrongful death damages, available if a loved one passed away due to a sepsis misdiagnosis.
How long do I have to file a medical malpractice lawsuit in Kentucky?
The state of Kentucky has what’s called a statute of limitations for medical malpractice cases. In most cases, you have one year from the date of the malpractice or from the date you discovered the malpractice to file a lawsuit. However, it’s important to know that exceptions may apply, such as cases involving minors or situations where the harm was not immediately obvious. Legal deadlines can be complex – contact our attorneys as soon as possible to ensure that your rights are protected.
Contact our failure to diagnose and treat sepsis lawyers today
If you or a loved one suffered complications due to a doctor’s failure to diagnose and treat sepsis, you don’t have to go through the legal process alone. At Crandall & Pera Law, our Kentucky medical malpractice lawyers are here to help you seek justice and compensation for your injuries and losses. Your time is limited, so don’t wait to take action. Your health and your future matter, and we’re here to fight for you. Please call our offices or fill out our contact form to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation with a Kentucky failure to diagnose and treat sepsis attorney. We have offices conveniently located in Lexington and Louisville.