If you or a loved one has suffered as a result of sepsis misdiagnosis or medical negligence you may be able to bring a claim for compensation. For a free, no-obligation chat you can call our specialist Medical Negligence lawyers on Freephone 0808 164 0808 or you can complete the request a call back form and we will call you to start a free claim assessment.

What is sepsis?

Sepsis is a life threatening condition that arises when the body responds to an infection in its own tissues or organs. The infection can start in any part of the body and can be localised or widespread. If it is not recognised at an early enough stage and treated accordingly then it can lead to shock, multiple organ failure, long-term tissue damage and potentially death.

The UK Sepsis Trust reports that every year in the UK there are over 250,000 cases of sepsis which result at least 46,000 deaths, and possibly as many as 67,000. Sepsis affects 25,000 children each year. While maternal sepsis alone accounts for the primary cause of death following childbirth.

Sepsis is a serious condition that can initially look like flu, gastroenteritis or a chest infection and patients often experience one of the following symptoms:

  • slurred speech
  • extreme shivering or muscle pain
  • passing no urine (in a day)
  • severe breathlessness
  • skin mottled or discoloured

What are the consequences of failing to detect sepsis?

The guidance, mandated by NHS England, includes a requirement for staff to alert senior doctors if patients suspected of having the deadly condition do not respond to treatment within one hour.

If a healthcare professional does not detect sepsis early enough and fails to provide the appropriate treatment to counter it then the patient may be able to bring a sepsis negligence compensation claim. Factors such as being very young or old, diabetic or pregnant place individuals at a greater risk of developing sepsis. The UK Sepsis Trust is campaigning to prevent 14,000 unnecessary deaths each year as a result of their ‘Sepsis Six’ guidelines, which include:

  • providing high-flow oxygen
  • take blood cultures
  • give IV antibiotics
  • give a fluid challenge
  • measure lactate
  • measure urine output

Contact us

If you would like to discuss making a sepsis negligence compensation claim please call a member of our Clinical and Medical Negligence team on Freephone: 0808 164 0808 for a FREE, no-obligation chat or complete the request a call back form and we will call you.

If the matter is particularly sensitive and immediate assistance is required then we can arrange for one of the Clinical and Medical Negligence lawyers to meet you at the hospital.