Meningitis medical negligence claims

Meningitis is a devastating condition which can have life changing consequences, particularly if it is not diagnosed and treated in a timely manner.

What is meningitis?

Meningitis is an infection of the protective membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord.

How do you treat meningitis?

When a patient is admitted to hospital they will undergo tests to confirm the diagnosis and check whether the meningitis is caused as a result of viral or bacterial infection.

Bacterial meningitis usually requires urgent treatment in hospital with antibiotics. It is estimated that 1 in every 10 case of bacterial meningitis can be fatal. There are many different bacteria that cause meningitis the most common types are:

• Meningococcal
• Pneumococcal
• TB
• Group B Streptococcal and E coli
• Hib

Viral Meningitis tends to resolve on its own within 7 – 10 days, although some people will make a full recovery some are left with serious and debilitating side effects.

What are the long term problems caused by meningitis?

If it crosses the central nervous system long term problems tend to be neurological and if it crosses into the cardiovascular system and into the blood then this can give rise to sepsis/septic shock, often resulting in amputation as the blood supply to limbs and essential organs is compromised. If bacterial meningitis is not treated in a timely manner this can have devastating impact and cause long term problems such as:

• Brain injury
• Loss of hearing and vision
• Epilepsy
• Amputation
• Problems with memory and concentration
• Balance and co-ordination problems

Making a compensation claim

The team at Clarke Willmott have significant experience in handling meningitis claims where delays in diagnosis have had devastating impact.

The delays in receiving appropriate treatment may be caused by failure of a GP to identify the symptoms and refer appropriately to hospital or failure by clinicians in hospital to diagnose and treat with antibiotics.

The team are currently assisting claimants who have suffered amputation, hearing loss and devastating neurological conditions.

For more information on making a compensation claim, please download our medical negligence fact sheet.

Fatal Cases

The delays in diagnosis of meningitis or septicaemia can be fatal and the team also have experience in assisting families at Inquests following the death of a loved one.

Case example

• The medical negligence team acted for the family of Isabel Gentry following her death from meningitis in May 2016: University Hospital Bristol NHS Trust found responsible of ‘Neglect’ following teenage death from meningitis.

We are proud to support Meningitis Research Foundation

For many years Clarke Willmott has been supporters of the great work done by Meningitis Research Foundation.

Our specialist medical negligence team work closely with those affected by meningitis and have extensive experience in dealing with such cases.

Helpful information about the signs and symptoms can be found on the NHS website.

We are also either on the panel of or accredited by:

• Headway
• Action against Medical Accidents (AvMA)
• The Law Society’s Clinical Negligence Accreditation Scheme
• The Encephalitis Society
• Brain Tumour Support

Contact a Medical negligence solicitor

If you think you may have a meningitis claim call us now on 0800 316 8892 or contact us online.