Nursing Home Negligence - Sepsis Attorney
Written and edited by our team of expert legal content writers and reviewed and approved by Daniel Harwin
- Content last updated on:
- September 27, 2024
Sepsis is a severe complication that can arise from an infection. When the body releases chemicals into the bloodstream to fight the infection, the chemicals can sometimes trigger an inflammatory response throughout the body. This is sepsis and can lead to damage of the internal organs.
If your loved one has sepsis or died from sepsis after living in a Florida nursing home, call Freedland Harwin Valori Gander, PL, for a free case evaluation. Your loved one may have been a victim of nursing home negligence that led to his or her condition.
Facts About Sepsis and Septic Shock
Sepsis is a life-threatening complication of infection brought on by the immune system. Experts believe inflammation can form tiny blood clots that prevent oxygen from reaching vital organs during sepsis. Sepsis can damage the internal organs and cause tissue damage. Without prompt treatment, sepsis can be fatal. Sepsis can turn into septic shock, which is a severe blood pressure drop that can lead to widespread organ failure, stroke, and death.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 1 million new cases of sepsis arise each year. Septic shock is the number one cause of death in hospital intensive care units in the United States. The four most common infections that lead to sepsis are pneumonia, urinary tract infections, gut infections, and skin infections. Older adults (65 and older) are more susceptible to the dangerous inflammation that occurs in the immune system during sepsis, as are those with weakened immune systems.
The symptoms of sepsis include increased heart rate, difficulty breathing, fever and chills, clammy/sweaty skin, discomfort, extreme pain, and confusion/disorientation. If a doctor or nursing home employee notices any symptoms of sepsis after an infection, he or she must act fast. Sepsis requires immediate medical care, as time is of the essence. Leaving sepsis untreated will result in the infection worsening and increase the risk of death. Failure to provide emergency medical care in a sepsis case is an act of negligence.
The Connection Between Sepsis and Negligence
Preventing infections from occurring in the first place is the best way to prevent sepsis. Doctors, nurses, and nursing home staff members should take active steps toward preventing infections. This includes taking care of chronic health conditions, properly cleaning and dressing wounds, and preventing injuries such as bedsores. Good hygiene, such as staff members washing their hands often, can help prevent sepsis. If a nursing home is unsanitary and takes negligent care of its residents, the risks of infections and sepsis greatly increase.
It’s critically important for a nursing home or other long-term care facility to prioritize cleanliness and prevent infections to reduce the risk of life-threatening sepsis cases. When staff members take due care to clean rooms, wash clothes and bedsheets, dress wounds, wash their hands, make sure residents have proper nutrition, and take other steps for the health and safety of residents, infections, more likely than not, will not happen. No infection mean no chance of sepsis and better quality of life for elderly residents.
Unfortunately, not every nursing home in Florida takes its responsibilities to residents seriously. Many try to cut corners and save money by understaffing the facility, shirking maintenance and sanitation, and taking negligent care of senior citizens. These circumstances greatly increase the risk of injuries, illnesses, infections, and sepsis – ultimately putting the lives of innocent residents at risk.
When to Call Freedland Harwin Valori Gander, PL
After a case of sepsis that causes pain and suffering, medical bills, lower quality of life, or wrongful death, contact our team of nursing home neglect and abuse attorneys in Florida for a free case evaluation. There is a chance you could bring a negligence claim against the facility and recover damages. Call (954) 467-6400 for more information or send us a message for a consultation.
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