Georgia Personal Injury Lawyer Blog
Sepsis is a medical problem in which your body has a severe reaction to germs or bacteria, leading to systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS). Sepsis results in a dramatic drop in blood pressure that can cause your body to go into shock. The lungs, liver, kidneys and central nervous system can also stop working properly when sepsis develops, meaning that a victim needs to get medical attention right away and usually should be admitted to the emergency or intensive care unit of a hospital.
If sepsis occurs in a nursing home setting, there is a good chance that the condition develops because the nursing home is failing to provide reasonable care. As such, if you or a loved one has developed sepsis in a nursing home, it is advisable to contact a Marietta, Georgia Nursing Home Abuse Attorney for help.
Marietta, Georgia Nursing Home Abuse and Sepsis Risk
Sepsis can develop as a result of bacterial infection in the body, which triggers a chemical reaction that leads to the characteristic drop in blood pressure. Some common areas of infection that can lead to sepsis developing include:
- Bedsores
- Surgical wounds
- IV lines
- Surgical drains
- The bowels, especially when peritonitis is present
- The kidneys, especially in cases where an upper urinary track infection exists
The risks of sepsis can be reduced and sepsis prevented by following precautions to prevent bedsores as well as by following proper hygiene procedures. Nursing homes have an obligation to provide reasonably competent care to their patients, and a nursing home that is neglectful in preventing infection or maintaining hygiene can become liable for the consequences of infection and sepsis. A Marietta, Georgia Nursing Home Abuse Attorney can help victims or their family members to determine when a nursing home may be considered legally responsible for sepsis.
Family members and nursing homes should also be aware of some of the common symptoms of sepsis so prompt treatment can be provided. These symptoms include chills, confusion, delirium, fever, light-headedness, shaking, rapid heartbeat, and skin that feels warm or develops a rash.
Getting Help from a Marietta, Georgia Nursing Home Abuse Attorney
If you or a loved one has suffered sepsis as a result of a nursing home failing to provide proper care, it is important to take action. Contacting the authorities is a good first step in order to make sure the nursing home is investigated for their poor practices. Because sepsis can be expensive to treat, or even fatal, contacting a Marietta, Georgia Nursing Home Abuse Attorney is also important to protect your legal rights.
The victims of sepsis may be entitled to payment from the nursing home not only for medical costs related to the sepsis but also to compensate them for pain and suffering and emotional distress. Family members who lose a loved one to sepsis can also file a wrongful death action for damages.
Do You Suspect Your Loved One Is Being Subjected To Nursing Home Abuse?
If you believe your loved one may be the victim of nursing home neglect or abuse you should speak with an experienced
nursing home abuse attorney as soon as possible. Please contact us online or call our office directly at 855.GA.INJURY or
404.991.5950 to schedule your free consultation.