Families can seek compensation for medical malpractice
February 1st, 2017Sepsis is a serious late stage of an infection that can be fatal if left untreated. Classic symptoms of sepsis include low blood pressure, high heart rate and elevated white blood cells. Those in Louisiana who develop sepsis or sepsis-like symptoms most likely warrant a full evaluation in a medical facility. In a nearby state, a medical malpractice lawsuit claims a patient’s symptoms of sepsis were inadequately treated, which may have contributed to his death.
The deceased patient was cared for in a nursing home prior to his illness, but was sent to a medical facility for seven days for treatment of sepsis and pneumonia. Due to the man’s multiple health issues, he was to return to his nursing home once he was discharged. The lawsuit claims that the hospital negligently discharged him when he was still displaying classic symptoms of sepsis.
Unfortunately, the ambulance company that provided his transportation took him to the wrong nursing home around 300 miles away. The ambulance company was forced to return him back to the hospital leaving the patient on an ambulance stretcher for approximately 12 hours. The lawsuit states the patient experienced severe pain during the long trip but was only treated with aspirin. Due to the patient’s condition when he returned to the hospital, he was re-admitted for further treatment and died less than a month later.
The man’s sister has filed a wrongful death lawsuit on behalf of the patient’s estate in civil court alleging negligence, emotional distress and medical malpractice by the medical facility, doctor and the ambulance company. Negligent treatment can lead to longer hospital stays causing medical costs to increase rapidly. If a lawsuit results in granted compensation, it may help to alleviate some of the financial stress caused by unexpected extended medical treatment. Louisiana lawyers can advise families of their litigation rights in similar medical malpractice cases.
Source: chronicle.augusta.com, “Sister sues hospital, doctor and ambulance service alleging negligence in brother’s treatment“, Sandy Hodson, Jan. 19, 2017
