What to Do if a Hospital Stay Results in Sepsis

What is Sepsis?

Sepsis is a life-threatening organ dysfunction that results from an infection. It occurs when the body’s response to an infection attacks the person’s own tissues and organs. It usually results from an infection such as pneumonia, a kidney infection or a bloodstream infection, and most often afflicts the elderly and young people. Sepsis can also be acquired in the hospital, known as a hospital acquired infection (HAI).

Each year, roughly 1.5 million people contract sepsis in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). In 2011, there were roughly 722,000 HAIs in U.S. acute care hospitals, and roughly 75,000 patients died from the infection.

Can Sepsis be Grounds for a Medical Malpractice Claim?

Sepsis often occurs while patients are in the hospital. Sometimes this is due to an infection the patient already had, but it can also result from negligence of the hospital staff. Examples of this type of negligence include:

  • Failure to sterilize equipment
  • Poor sanitation practices
  • Improper care of surgical wounds or bedsores
  • The use of defective medical devices

A sepsis infection that resulted from negligence at the hospital can be grounds for a medical malpractice claim. One that resulted in death may also be grounds for a wrongful death claim. If you or a loved one has suffered from a hospital-acquired infection, contact a personal injury attorney as soon as possible to discuss your case.

Our firm has been handling personal injury cases throughout the California Low Desert and High Desert communities for over 30 years. With a 95% success rate, the California personal injury attorneys at Walter Clark Legal Group will fight to hold those responsible for your loss accountable and win compensation to cover medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. If you have been injured and want to discuss your legal options, contact us today for a free consultation with an experienced personal injury lawyer. We have offices in Indio, Rancho Mirage, Victorville, El Centro, and Yucca Valley, and represent clients through the entire California Low Desert and High Desert communities.

DISCLAIMER: The Walter Clark Legal Group blog is intended for general information purposes only and is not intended as legal or medical advice. References to laws are based on general legal practices and vary by location. Information reported comes from secondary news sources. We do handle these types of cases, but whether or not the individuals and/or loved ones involved in these accidents choose to be represented by a law firm is a personal choice we respect. Should you find any of the information incorrect, we welcome you to contact us with corrections.

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