Know Your Rights After a Delay in Diagnosing Infections in Oregon Hurts You or a Loved One
Infections are a quite common thing that occur in most everyones lifetime. Even a cold is considered an infection. Most people are familiar with infections and how certain infections are treated. Most infections are not serious as long as they are treated appropriately and in a timely manner. Generally speaking, colds and other mild viral illnesses are typically treated with supportive care (i.e nasal spray, other over the counter cold medicines) while bacterial, fungal and more severe viral infections must be treated with prescription drugs. While most of these infections can be serious, they are typically easily treated if treated in a timely manner. The most dangerous type of infection is one that goes diagnosed, leading to worsening infection and perhaps even sepsis. Infections that are left untreated can be much harder to treat. This means a delay in diagnosing infections in Oregon could be fatal.
Our Oregon delay in diagnosis and treatment of infection medical malpractice lawyers know just how serious this can be and are very aware that these types of infections are most likely to cause serious personal injury and in some cases death. Infections are very serious conditions that must be treated immediately, and even a young child knows that. But far too many medical professionals fail which is why it could result in serious personal injuries to an innocent person.
What are Infections?
An infection occurs when a foreign organism that causes diseases enters your body. There are many organisms that cause infections, including viruses, bacteria, fungi and parasites. These are just a few of the most common organisms that cause infection. Often times an infection will start off localized (i.e. a wound infection) but then will spread. Other infections are a bit more diffuse and may affect an entire body cavity. If left untreated, infections have the potential to become systemic which can lead to sepsis, a very serious and life-threatening complication of an infection which can lead to permanent damage of organs or even wrongful death.
Why are Infections Dangerous?
Infections are dangerous because they have the ability to often times worsen and spread which can lead to a more serious infection, or even sepsis. Certain infections are more dangerous than others because they spread much more quickly and may be harder to treat due to antibiotic resistance. MRSA is a very serious infection that commonly starts in the skin but can start in just about any part of the body. This infection is serious because it is often difficult to treat due to antibiotic resistance.
Therefore, time is of the essence when it comes to infections like MRSA in order to identify the infection in a timely manner to allow timely treatment to give the patient the best possible outcome. Delays in diagnosing infections in Oregon can simply be very serious and dangerous.
How are Infections Acquired?
Infections can be acquired in a variety of different ways. Sometimes, patients can develop infections while they are hospitalized for an unrelated illness. According to the Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, 1 in every 25 people hospitalized are diagnosed with a hospital-acquired infection. This type of infection is referred to as nosocomial, or hospital-acquired infections. These types of infections can be quite serious and difficult to treat. If a patient is already ill, their body is not necessarily as able to fight infections. Therefore, when a patient gets a hospital-acquired infection while already ill in the hospital, this can be very serious for the patient. Often times, these types of infections are particularly drug resistant making it even more difficult to treat (i.e. MRSA). Generally speaking, hospital-acquired infections can be prevented with proper cleaning procedures, hand hygiene, standard precautions and enhanced precautions when indicated, and proper care of the patients (i.e following sterile technique for sterile procedures such as PICC line insertion or foley catheter insertion).
Causes of Delay in Treatment and Diagnosis of Infections in Oregon Due to Medical Malpractice
There are many reasons why undiagnosed infections in Oregon can lead to medical malpractice. Often times, undiagnosed infections are caused by a failure on the physician’s part to diagnose and treat in a timely manner. Some of the most common causes of delay in diagnoses of infection due to medical malpractice include:
- Misdiagnosing an infection as another illness, perhaps one that does not need prescription drug treatment
- Failing to order the appropriate diagnostic tests (i.e. blood work to check for an elevated white blood cell count, chest x-ray, etc.)
- Prescribing an inappropriate medication for the illness that the patient has
- Failing to properly assess the patient
- Missing common symptoms of an infection
- Improper interpretation of test results
- Many other causes of delay in diagnosis and treatment of infections
How Can Our Oregon Delay in Diagnosis and Treatment of Infection Lawyers Help You?
Our Oregon medical malpractice lawyers can help you by protecting your rights and will ensure you receive the justice you deserve. People in Oregon who have experienced a delay in the diagnosis and treatment of infection that has gone undiagnosed may be entitled to damages.
Damages are typically awarded to individuals and their loved ones who suffered negative effects due to the delay in diagnosis and treatment (i.e more intensive treatment, sepsis due to delay in diagnosis, permanent organ damage, or even death). These are just a few of the many reasons an individual or their loved ones may be eligible for damages. Damages are often awarded in the form of compensation for medical bills, lost wages, lost future earnings, and pain and suffering amongst many other indications for damages.
Ask Our Experienced Lawyers for Help
A delay in diagnosing infections in Oregon is very serious and should be handled by an experienced law firm in Oregon that understands how to protect your rights to compensation for your damages. We can fight to ensure that you recover the compensation that you deserve under Oregon law.
If you or a loved one have been seriously injured or killed as a result of medical malpractice contact the Oregon Medical Malpractice Lawyers at Kuhlman Law at our number below or fill out the intake form. We offer a free initial case evaluation and handle cases on a contingency fee which means that you pay no money unless we recover.
Our law firm handles cases throughout the state including Bend and Portland Oregon, Redmond, Central Oregon, Sisters, Madras, Multnomah County, Deschutes County, Salem, Eugene, Corvallis, Lane County, Medford, Gresham, La Grande, Albany, Medford, Beaverton, Umatilla, Pendleton, Cottage Grove, Florence, Oregon City, Springfield, Keizer, Grants Pass, McMinnville, Tualatin, West Linn, Forest Grove, Wilsonville, Newberg, Roseburg, Lake Oswego, Klamath Falls, Happy Valley, Tigard, Ashland, Milwakie, Coos Bay, The Dalles, St. Helens, Sherwood, Central Point, Canby, Troutdale, Hermiston, Silverton, Hood River, Newport, Prineville, Astoria, Tillamook, Lincoln City, Hillsboro, and Vancouver, Washington.
We also have an office in Minneapolis, Minnesota and take medical malpractice cases throughout the Twin Cities, including St. Paul, Hennepin County, Ramsey County, Dakota County, Washington County, Anoka County, Scott County, Blaine, Stillwater, and Saint Paul Minnesota.