Can You Sue a Nursing Home for Sepsis?
Nursing home residents are at risk of developing sepsis, a serious medical condition that can result in major health complications and even death. In some cases, sepsis points to nursing home neglect or abuse, such as the failure to give elderly residents the care and medical attention that they need. In these scenarios, an individual or family can file a lawsuit against the nursing home in California.
What Is Sepsis?
Sepsis is a life-threatening medical condition that can occur when the body is trying to fight an infection. When the body has a bacterial, fungal or viral infection, it attempts to fight it by releasing certain chemicals into the bloodstream. If these chemicals are imbalanced, it can lead to sepsis.
A nursing home resident who is diagnosed with sepsis can suffer serious health complications, such as permanent organ damage. Sepsis can reduce the amount of blood flowing to vital organs, such as the kidneys, heart and brain. Without proper treatment, sepsis can lead to septic shock. This is an extreme drop in blood pressure that can be fatal. Sepsis can also cause blood clots that increase the risk of stroke and pulmonary embolism.
Early diagnosis of sepsis is critical for the victim’s recovery. Early treatment, such as antibiotics and IV fluids, improve the chances of surviving sepsis, especially in an older patient. While mild cases of sepsis can be treated, if sepsis turns into septic shock, the death rate is about 40 percent. It is important for a nursing home to recognize the risk factors and signs of sepsis, as well as to employ the appropriate medical treatment right away.
Is Sepsis Preventable?
Yes, sepsis is often preventable. There are things that a nursing home can do to prevent this condition, such as maintain safe and sanitary premises, give residents the professional medical care that they need for illnesses and infections, and transfer them to hospitals right away, when necessary. Unfortunately, many nursing homes and their staff members are negligent in preventing sepsis, meaning they do not take the appropriate or required steps to prevent and treat this condition.
People who are 65 years and older, those with weakened immune systems, and those with chronic medical conditions (such as diabetes) are most at risk of developing sepsis. This is why sepsis is such a major risk in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities. It is also more common in environments with poor infection control, such as nursing homes that neglect proper sanitation and resident care. There are a higher number of cases of sepsis at nursing homes that do not have infection-control programs in place.
Do You Have a Claim?
If you or an elderly loved one has been diagnosed with sepsis after residing in a nursing home in California, consult with a nursing home abuse lawyer in Los Angeles about a potential lawsuit. An attorney can investigate the patient’s environment for signs of negligence, such as nursing home neglect, abuse, unsafe premises, or medical malpractice.
If there is evidence that the nursing home or one of its employees failed to use an appropriate amount of care for the resident and that this contributed to the development of an infection or sepsis, your lawyer can help you file a lawsuit against the nursing home.
Contact a Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect Attorney Today
Bringing a claim against a nursing home in California for sepsis comes with a complicated legal process. If you believe you have grounds for this type of lawsuit in Los Angeles, contact an attorney from Rose, Klein & Marias, LLP for a free consultation. Our attorneys can help you and your family understand your rights and pursue justice against a nursing home for resident abuse or neglect. Call (213) 626-0571 today.