Severe sepsis affects more than 750,000 people every year. “Our New York medical malpractice lawyers often file lawsuits alleging that a doctor or hospital failed to diagnose sepsis before it was too late,” said Syracuse wrongful death lawyer Michael A. Bottar, Esq., an attorney presently prosecuting several sepsis-based lawsuits.
The failure to diagnose sepsis is a common error. Unfortunately, sepsis, which is also known as blood poisoning, can result in a wrongful death. More than 200,000 every year. “It is the leading cause of death in the non-coronary ICU,” Bottar added.
Fortunately, help may be on the way. A new credit-card sized device being tested in Germany may aid physicians in quickly diagnosis sepsis. The tool, called MinoLab, may enable a doctor to diagnose sepsis in as little as 1 hour. Presently, analysis can take as long as 48 hours.
Signs and symptoms of sepsis include a fever, chills, severe shaking, tachycardia (i.e., high heart rate), low blood pressure, confusion, a decrease in urine output, and painful joints. If sepsis is timely diagnosed, it can be treated with intravenous antibiotics, vasopressors and corticosteroids, as well as intravenous fluids and surgery if the source of the infection can be identified and removed. Sepsis is a medical emergency. One out of of every 3 patients who develop “severe” sepsis will die within 30 days.
The trial lawyers at Bottar Law, PLLC, have decades of experience investigating, prosecuting and trying to verdict all types of New York misdiagnosis cases, including the delayed diagnosis of sepsis. If you or a loved one have been diagnosed with sepsis, you and/or your family may be entitled to compensation for lifelong health care, medical expenses, medical bills, loss of income, and pain and suffering.
To discuss your case or concerns with an experienced Central New York medical malpractice attorney, contact Bottar Law, PLLC now at (315) 422-3466, (800) 336-LAWS, or by e-mail at info@bottarleone.com.