Sepsis or Infection Injuries in Philadelphia

Sepsis or septicemia is a severe illness in which the bloodstream is overwhelmed by bacteria and can cause the entire body to be in an inflammatory state called systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) or septic shock. A lay term for sepsis is blood poisoning. Failure to diagnose and failure to treat your infection is a form of medical negligence. The award-winning Philadelphia sepsis & infection attorneys at The Beasley Firm have decades of experience handling medical malpractice cases, and we have secured innumerable, substantial recoveries viaverdicts or settlements for the victims of malpractice. If you suffered from sepsis or blood poisoning during a hospital stay, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries and medical costs.

Call our award-winning firm at (215) 866-2424 to discuss your case in a free legal consultation.

Development of Sepsis / Infection

Sepsis can start out as a bacterial infection anywhere in the body. Common places where an infection may start include:

• Kidneys (pyelonephritis)
• Bladder (urinary tract infection or urosepsis)
• Lining of the brain (meningitis)
• Gallbladder (cholecystitis or bile duct injury)
• Lungs (pneumonia)
• Skin (cellulitis or decubitus ulcers and bedsores)
• Bone (osteomyelitis)
• Surgical wound or incision
• Surgical drain
• Dialysis catheter or shunt
• The bowel or intestines (bowel perforations or peritonitis)
• Ventriculostomy or shunt
• Blood stream from intravenous lines (IV's), PICC lines, Central lines, umbilical artery (UA) lines or umbilical vein (UV) lines

Neonatal sepsis, or an infection in a newborn, is usually caused by prolonged rupture of the membranes, amniotic sac or water bag, Group B strep, Chlamydia, meconium aspiration, infected central lines or umbilical lines, or untreated necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC).

If an infection is not properly diagnosed and treated right away, it can lead to the bacteria taking over the body and causing a reaction that damages the vascular system, leading to a very low blood pressure and lack of blood and oxygen to the major organs such as the brain, heart, lungs, kidneys, liver, and extremities.

Why You Need The Beasley Firm

Our highly specialized medical malpractice team consists of highly skilled trial lawyers, including two physicians, with a unique ability to express complex medical issues to laypeople on juries, and obtain consistent, substantial recoveries.  Our medical background, our thorough and relentless trial preparation, and our willingness to try cases has made us a formidable opponent for Pennsylvania's negligent hospitals and healthcare providers. Due to our exhaustive preparation and trial skill, our firm has achieved:

• 300+ verdicts & settlements larger than $1 million
• Some of the largest malpractice verdicts in Pennsylvania ($100 million & $55 million)
• More than $2 billion in awards for injured clients since 1958
• Inclusion in the Pennsylvania Super Lawyers® list for every year it has existed.

What sets us apart from other lawyers is our fierce dedication to helping everyday people receive the money and support they need to recover from their suffering. Every one of our verdicts and settlements contributed to the security, health, and happiness of our clients-no result is more important to us than that. That's why we spend every resource and work around the clock in order to develop the strongest cases possible for our clients.

Symptoms & Treatment for Sepsis or Infection

Patients who are septic or in septic shock are usually treated in the intensive care unit (ICU) with intravenous fluids and IV antibiotics. If fluid replacement is not enough to keep the blood pressure elevated at a safe level, medications called vasopressors may be used. In addition, a ventilator (breathing machine) or dialysis may be used to help support the lungs and kidneys.

A patient who develops sepsis or an overwhelming infection may have the following:

• A high fever or low body temperature
• Elevated white blood cell count (wbc)
• Elevated heart rate or tachycardia
• Fast breathing or tachypnea
• Cold and clammy skin
• Pale skin
• Mottling of the skin or a purplish color to the skin
• A bluish color around the mouth or on the fingernails
• Low pulse oximetry or low oxygen level
• Low urine output or oliguria/anuria
• Chills or shaking
• Skin rash
• A bluish color around the mouth or on the fingernails
• Confusion or a change in mental status

If sepsis or an infection is not diagnosed and treated properly it can lead to septic shock, multi-system organ damage, amputations, brain damage, encephalopathy or even death.

If you, your baby, or loved one has suffered due to an infection that was not properly treated, please feel free to contact us at (215) 866-2424.