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Sepsis and meningitis claims solicitor

Claim compensation for meningitis and sepsis negligence

Meningitis, an infection of the membranes around the brain and spinal cord, and sepsis, an acute and extreme immune system response to an infection, can have devastating consequences, particularly if not identified and treated correctly. If you contracted meningitis or sepsis and suffered serious complications that could have been prevented, you may be entitled to claim compensation.

As experts in the most complex medical negligence claims, we can help you find the answers you want, the compensation you deserve and the treatment, rehabilitation and care you need to rebuild your life.

Call 0800 316 8892 or get in touch online for a free assessment of your claim with a solicitor experienced in sepsis and meningitis claims.

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Meningitis FAQs

Sepsis FAQs

Specialists in meningitis and sepsis negligence claims

Meningitis negligence and sepsis misdiagnosis claims can be challenging to prove, so it’s essential your solicitor has the level of legal expertise and medical knowledge needed to tackle the issue.

Our first-hand experience and understanding of sepsis and meningitis negligence is borne out by our track record of winning significant compensation for their most serious outcomes, including limb loss, hearing loss, brain damage and death.

We work closely with leading medical experts and specialists in microbiology to thoroughly investigate and establish:

  • The type of bacterial infection you contracted
  • The cause and/or onset of the infection
  • Whether it could have been diagnosed sooner or treated differently
  • How the appropriate course of action would have led to a better outcome for you
  • Your immediate and longer-term care, treatment, support and rehabilitation needs and any changes to your living arrangements or mobility
  • The value of compensation needed to fund your care and compensate you for your pain, suffering and lost earnings

Senior legal expertise in your corner

Your claim will be looked after by an experienced medical negligence solicitor and overseen by a partner who is also one of our most senior lawyers.

We act as expert solicitors for Brain Tumour Support and Headway (the brain injury association) and sit on the medical negligence panels of Action against Medical Accidents (AvMA), The Law Society and The Encephalitis Society.

We’re also proud to support the great work done by Meningitis Research Foundation.

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.

Start your sepsis negligence or meningitis claim

We understand that starting a medical negligence claim can feel daunting, which is why we make it our priority to get to know you, so we can support you through the process in the way you need.

Your solicitor will be happy to visit you at home or in hospital, or you’re welcome to come to one of our offices across the country in Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, London, Manchester, Southampton and Taunton.

Call 0800 316 8892 or get in touch online to arrange a free consultation with a medical negligence solicitor who can advise you on your claim and explain your funding options including a no-win, no-fee arrangement.

Your meningitis claims questions answered

What is meningitis?

Meningitis is a bacterial or viral infection of the protective membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord.

Bacterial meningitis usually requires urgent treatment in hospital with antibiotics. It’s estimated that 1 in every 10 cases of bacterial meningitis can be fatal.

The most common bacteria to cause meningitis are:

  • Meningococcus
  • Pneumococcus or streptococcus pneumoniae
  • TB
  • Group B Streptococcal and E coli
  • Haemophilus influenzae type B (Hib)

Viral Meningitis tends to resolve on its own within 7–10 days, although some people can be left with serious and debilitating side effects.

When can you bring a meningitis claim?

If bacterial meningitis is not treated in a timely manner and it crosses into the central nervous system, cardiovascular system or the blood, the consequences can be serious or life changing. For example:

  • Sepsis or septic shock
  • Brain injury
  • Loss of hearing and vision
  • Epilepsy
  • Amputation (as the blood supply to limbs and essential organs is compromised)
  • Problems with memory and concentration
  • Balance and co-ordination problems
  • Death

If the delay was caused by a GP failing to identify the symptoms of meningitis or refer the patient appropriately, or a clinician in hospital failing to diagnose and treat meningitis, you could be entitled to claim compensation.

For example, you attend A & E multiple times over a few days with fever and signs of more serious illness in a year-old child. The late meningitis diagnosis then results in long term brain injury to the child.

Your sepsis claims questions answered

What is sepsis?

Sepsis is the body’s overwhelming and life-threatening response to infection, which can lead to tissue damage, organ failure and death. Early symptoms include extremes of temperature, fast breathing, rapid heartbeat and rapid deterioration.

In the UK there are over 150,000 cases of sepsis a year with 44,000 fatalities, which is greater than deaths from breast, bowel and prostate cancer combined. Survivors can experience limb loss, chronic fatigue or muscle and joint pain.

Sepsis can affect anyone, but certain groups are at higher risk including the very young, the elderly, diabetics, cancer patients and those who are immunosuppressed.

When can you claim for sepsis negligence?

Sepsis should be treated with the same degree of urgency as a stroke or heart attack. The sooner you’re diagnosed and treatment starts, the greater your chance of a favourable outcome and recovery.

If you have experienced a delay in diagnosing or treating sepsis by a GP, emergency doctor or clinician, you could be entitled to claim compensation.

For example, A & E clinicians fail to recognise the signs of meningococcal infection and the late administration of antibiotics allows the disease to become established. The sepsis then leads to damage and injury to the limbs, resulting in amputation.

How is sepsis diagnosed?

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) recently issued up to date guidance for doctors and nurses regarding diagnosis and treatment of sepsis.

Doctors considering a diagnosis look for the ‘Sepsis six’:

  1. Mental state – alteration in mental state
  2. Blood pressure – decrease of systolic blood pressure
  3. Breathing – respiratory rate of more than 25 breaths per minute
  4. Circulation and hydration – increased heart rate > 130 bpm and difficulty passing urine
  5. Temperature – tympanic temperature less than 36
  6. Skin – mottled or ashen, cyanosis of skin, lips or tongue, non-blanching rash of skin

Treatment and management of sepsis

  • Deliver high flow oxygen
  • Take blood cultures
  • Administer empiric intravenous antibiotics
  • Measure serum lactate and send for a full blood count
  • Start IV fluid resuscitation
  • Accurate urine output measurement

Book a free meningitis or sepsis claim consultation

If you or a loved one has suffered serious complications due to delays in diagnosing or treating meningitis or sepsis, call 0800 316 8892 or contact us online to discuss your claim with a specialist solicitor. This consultation is free and there’s no pressure to take things further.

Your key contacts

Marguarita Tyne

Head of Personal Injury & Medical Negligence

Bristol
Marguarita Tyne is a claimant clinical negligence solicitor who investigates and brings claims on behalf of patients who have been injured during the course of their medical treatment, acting mainly (but not exclusively) for brain injury claimants in high value and often complex litigation.
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Kerry Fifield

Partner and Clinical Negligence Team Manager

Bristol
Kerry’s primary focus is the needs of the client and their family when pursuing a claim, taking into account that each client is an individual with specific requirements who needs to be supported in addition to the legal investigation.
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With seven offices throughout England and Wales, Clarke Willmott is a national law firm with a local presence. Click to learn more about our wider team of legal professionals and how they can support you.

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