Failure to Diagnose Sepsis

Sepsis is a life-threatening medical condition that occurs when the body’s response to an infection triggers widespread inflammation, which can lead to serious complications. When diagnosed early, sepsis can often be treated successfully. However, if a physician fails to recognize the signs of sepsis or delays treatment, the condition can rapidly worsen, leading to severe harm or even death. Doctors have a duty to diagnose and treat sepsis promptly, and when they fail to uphold this duty, they can be held liable for the resulting harm. If you or a loved one has suffered due to the failure to diagnose sepsis, it is important to understand your rights, and you should speak with an attorney. At DeFrancisco & Falgiatano Personal Injury Lawyers, our experienced Syracuse medical malpractice attorneys are committed to aiding people hurt by careless physicians in the pursuit of damages, and if you engage our services, we can assess your case and help you to seek any compensation available under the law for your losses. We often represent injured people in medical malpractice cases in Rochester, Syracuse, and cities throughout Upstate New York.

Sepsis is a fast-progressing condition that can lead to significant health complications, including organ failure, septic shock, and death. Early diagnosis and treatment are critical in preventing sepsis from escalating to a more severe stage. The longer the diagnosis is delayed, the higher the likelihood of irreversible damage or fatality.

Numerous factors can lead to a doctor’s failure to diagnose sepsis. For example, they may overlook the symptoms of an underlying infection, such as a high fever, rapid heart rate, and difficulty breathing, or they may fail to order the necessary diagnostic tests, such as blood cultures or imaging. In some cases, a physician may suspect sepsis but neglect to administer antibiotics or fluids in a timely manner. Even a short delay in treatment can result in catastrophic outcomes, including permanent organ damage, amputations, or death.

In medical malpractice cases, including those based on the failure to diagnose sepsis, a plaintiff generally must prove the elements of negligence to establish that medical malpractice occurred. First, the plaintiff must demonstrate that the defendant owed them a duty of care. This duty requires medical professionals to provide treatment that meets the standard of care, which is what is typically considered the accepted and good practice of medicine in the defendant’s practice area. For example, an emergency room physician may be expected to recognize and promptly address the symptoms of sepsis.

Second, the plaintiff must show that the defendant breached this standard of care. A breach may occur if the defendant failed to take appropriate action, such as ordering tests or administering necessary treatments when a reasonably competent physician would have done so in a similar situation. Finally, the plaintiff must demonstrate that the defendant’s breach caused the harm the patient suffered. This may involve proving that the delay or failure to diagnose sepsis led to the progression of the condition and caused measurable damages, such as physical injury, increased medical costs, or loss of life. Expert testimony is often required to establish both the standard of care and how the defendant's actions deviated from it.

When healthcare providers fail to diagnose or treat sepsis promptly, the results can be devastating. If you or a loved one were harmed by a doctor’s failure to diagnose sepsis, it is in your best interest to speak with an attorney about your options. The seasoned Syracuse medical malpractice attorneys of DeFrancisco & Falgiatano Personal Injury Lawyers have extensive experience handling complex medical negligence cases, and if we represent you, we will help you fight for the compensation you deserve. We represent clients in medical malpractice lawsuits in Syracuse and in Rochester, and throughout Upstate New York. You can reach us through our online form or by calling us at 833-200-2000 to arrange a confidential and free meeting.