Nursing Home Liability in Sepsis Infections Cases

The New York City nursing home medical malpractice attorneys at Rich & Rich, P.C. handle sepsis infection lawsuits and any NY medical malpractice claim.  Sepsis infection, also known as blood poisoning, is a whole body infection of the blood stream and is potentially fatal.  Nursing home patients may develop sepsis infection because of microbes in the blood, lungs, urine, or skin.

Nursing home neglect can be a causal factor in sepsis infections since bed sores, which often result from neglectful nursing home care, can be the cause of sepsis infection.  In a physically healthy adult, the skin acts as an effective barrier against viral and bacterial threats, but an open wound allows bacterial infection to develop, which can cause sepsis infections.

Identifying sepsis

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that sepsis is the tenth most common cause of death in the U.S, particularly common—and more dangerous—in elderly patients.  Identifying conditions that could lead to this bacterial condition is critical, because the best medical advances and treatments have not yet been able to stop or reduce sepsis infection fatalities.  A sepsis infection can lead to severe infection and to death.

Symptoms of sepsis infection

Sepsis is often characterized by these symptoms:

  • Fever
  • Chills
  • Acute inflammation throughout the entire body
  • Elevated white blood cell count
  • Lower-than-average body temperature
  • Vomiting
  • High heart rate
  • High respiratory rate
  • Loss of appetite

In spite of immediate and aggressive treatment, the condition usually leads to multiple organ failure and, eventually, to death.  As much as 35 percent of severe sepsis patients and 60 percent of patients with septic shock die within 30 days. Those who live longer often die within the next six months.

New York City nursing home lawsuit

Sepsis kills nursing home patients.  In a sepsis-related wrongful death suit, the lawyer must show that the deceased patient's death was caused by sepsis, and that the disease was able to develop because of the mistreatment of the medical professionals caring for the deceased. This is why you need a knowledgeable law firm experienced in medical malpractice and nursing home negligence to represent you.  Sepsis cases are often extremely complicated.  Consult with the Manhattan malpractice attorneys at Rich & Rich, P.C.  Our lawyers are experienced in sepsis cases and your legal rights in New York.