A Brief Overview of Infectious Disease Malpractice Cases

One of the most common forms of medical negligence is hospital-acquired infections, also known as nosocomial infections. Nosocomial infections are defined as any infection that develops after admittance to a hospital for any reason other than the infection. The infection may develop while the patient is still hospitalized, up to three days after the discharge, or up to 30 days after an operation. The most common types of nosocomial infections are urinary tract infections, bacteremia, and pneumonia. The problem with these all-too-common infections is that they can become life-threatening very quickly, given that patients tend to be in an immunologically-weakened state when undergoing treatment in a hospital. Each year, 20,000 people die of nosocomial infections, and many more experience long-term complications from these infections.

If you suspect that medical malpractice may have played a role in your infection, you should contact a medical malpractice attorney for guidance. The medical malpractice lawyer will investigate the possible causes of the infection and determine whether medical negligence is at fault for the infection. For instance, he or she may discover that a member of the surgical team failed to adhere to patient safety protocols, resulting in the introduction of germs to the surgical site. Failure to diagnose and treat infections may also provide the basis for a lawsuit. A medical malpractice lawyer can help you or a loved one seek reparations for infections and their complications.

At Pegalis & Erickson, LLC, we’ve made it our life’s work to serve as effective patient advocates for those affected by medical malpractice. You can contact our malpractice law firm in Long Island, New York at (516) 684-2900.