Our nursing home attorneys at Buckfire & Buckfire, P.C. handle cases involving injuries and death from infections and sepsis in hospitals, nursing homes and assisted living centers.  Sepsis infection is a severe illness in which the bloodstream is overwhelmed by bacteria. Common places where an infection might start include the bowel, kidneys, the lungs, and the skin.  Each year, over 750,000 cases of sepsis are reported, according to eJustice.  The sepsis in these reported individuals accounted for 215,000 deaths despite the sepsis treatment available.  A resident who suffers from an infection or sepsis in a Michigan nursing home has rights under the law.

Sepsis infection can vary but bedsores from neglectful nursing home care can eventually cause this dangerous bacterial condition and an elder person is more susceptible to sepsis due to their worn out immune system not being able to fight the bacterial infection.

Sepsis Infection Symptoms

To be diagnosed with sepsis, you must exhibit at least two of the following symptoms:

  • Fever above 101.3 F (38.5 C) or below 95 F (35 C)
  • Heart rate higher than 90 beats a minute
  • Respiratory rate higher than 20 breaths a minute
  • Probable or confirmed infection

Your diagnosis will be considered severe sepsis if you also exhibit at least one of the following signs and symptoms, which indicate organ dysfunction:

  • Areas of mottled skin
  • Significantly decreased urine output
  • Abrupt change in mental status
  • Decrease in platelet count
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Abnormal heart function

The nursing home staff, including both doctors and nurses, should be highly qualified and able to identify and diagnose these symptoms immediately.  If untreated or not properly treated, the infection will worsen and cause significant injury or even death.

Many times under qualified, under trained, underpaid nursing home workers, sometimes with previous records of abuse and neglect, are caring for the elders in nursing homes or health care facilities.  Severe bedsores causing sepsis, and even wrongful death, is a serious issue and continues to be reported in Michigan nursing homes.

Untreated Decubitus Ulcers Can Cause Infection and Death

Our medical negligence attorneys represent hospital patients and nursing home residents who develop bed sores and decubitus ulcers. The conditions are usually completely avoidable and only develop because the medical staff failed to take the necessary precautions to prevent them from occurring.  Even patients who are at high risk for these sores due to their medical conditions should rarely ever get them with appropriate care and treatment.

Bed sores and decubitus ulcers in Michigan nursing homes that are not timely identified and go untreated can lead to a sepsis infection. Sepsis is a severe illness in which the bloodstream is overwhelmed by bacteria. When undiagnosed or untreated, sepsis can lead to serious medical conditions, including organ shut down, and even death.

The medical staff has the obligation to properly assess a patient for the risk of developing a bed sore and then implement a plan to reduce the risk and prevent it from occurring.  This can be accomplished by using a specialized mattress, turning the patient on a regular schedule, bathing the patient, and providing proper nutrition.  If a decubitus ulcer does develop, the hospital or nursing home facility must implement proper treatment to prevent it from worsening to the point where it becomes uncontrollable.  Quite often, a wound care specialist is called in to treat the sore.

Unfortunately, many times the medical staff fails to prevent the ulcer from developing and fails to treat it in a timely manner. Too often, by the time aggressive treatment is started it is too late to prevent significant harm or even death. These are tragic results from a preventable condition.

If your loved one suffered a decubitus ulcer in a hospital, nursing home, or rehabilitation facility that should have been prevented, you can pursue a medical negligence case against that facility. In cases involving death, the surviving family members can pursue a Wrongful Death Lawsuit.  These lawsuits seek compensation for the pain and suffering of the patient prior to death, medical expenses, and the loss of companionship suffered by the surviving family members.

Call Our Attorneys to Discuss Infections and Sepsis in Michigan Nursing Homes

If a loved one has suffered from an infection or sepsis in a Michigan nursing home, hospital, or assisted living facility due to neglect and abuse, call our office now.  We will start working on your case immediately and gather the necessary evidence to prove and win your case.  We will also get you the real answers as to what happened and how it happened.

Our experienced attorneys specialize in these types of cases and give you the legal counsel needed in order to help you and your family through this stressful time. We have a top track record of successful settlements and verdicts in nursing home cases and we can do the same for you.  We will represent you under our No Fee Promise, which means there are no legal fees or costs until you win a settlement. Call now!

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Please contact us today for answers to more complex questions or questions specific to your case. The initial consultation is FREE.

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