Failing to Diagnose an Infection: Catastrophic Oregon Medical Malpractice Lawyers

Catastrophic Injuries or Wrongful Death from Failing to Diagnose an Infection: Oregon Medical Malpractice Lawyers

Even a child knows that an infection is a very serious condition.  Although most healthcare professionals abide by this elementary rule, unfortunately far too many doctors, nurses, physical assistants, nurse practitioners, and other healthcare professionals ignore the urgency of an infection.  In fact, some healthcare providers identify an infection and than take conservative measures to prevent contributing to antibiotic resistance or drug-resistant strains.  This illogical reasoning just places real patients in real danger.  Untreated infections, no matter how small, can quickly develop into life-threatening infections.  Catastrophic infections can also lead to sepsis which could be quickly fatal.  Learn more about the failure to diagnose an infection due to preventable medical errors from our Oregon medical malpractice lawyers.

What is an Infection?

Any infection is any foreign agent that takes residence in our body and begins to proliferate.  Infections could be bacterial, viral, fungal, or other types.  All infections are unwanted and dangerous.  Infections can quickly multiple and become more difficult to cure.  The more difficult that an infection is to cure, the more time it can cause damage to the body.  When an infection gets too strong it can begin to directly hurt the body’s tissues.  Untreated infections can develop into sepsis and cause septic shock.  Sepsis is a life-threatening emergency.

Reasons and Causes for Failing to Diagnose an Infection

There is rarely if ever a good excuse for failing to diagnose an infection.  The simple truth is any patient with the signs of an infection should be treated with a course of antibiotics or other treatment regimen.  The longer that the infection is allowed to fester, the more damage it will do and the harder it will be to treat.  Thus, most of the reasons for failing to diagnose an infection and treat an infection are due to reckless, careless, and otherwise negligent conduct of a healthcare provider.

Some of the most common causes for failing to diagnose an infection include the following:

  • Failing to listen to patient complaints;
  • Ignoring a patient’s complaints;
  • Failing to order the appropriate tests;
  • Misinterpreting test results;
  • Neglecting to check patients, especially patients requiring prolonged bedrest or who are able to move themselves;
  • Delays in treating an infection;
  • Misdiagnosing an infection as something else;
  • Lack of staffing;
  • Failure to check for bed sores or pressure ulcers;
  • Improperly treating bed sores or pressure ulcers;
  • Neglecting to change wound bandages;
  • Violating sterilization protocol;
  • Hospital acquired infections (HAI); and
  • Many other common causes.

Damages from Infections That are Not Timely Treated

An infection that is not timely treated can quickly develop into a life-threatening emergency.  When an infection is allowed to grow too strong, it can cause serious personal injuries.  This includes the risk of brain injuries, traumatic brain injuries, amputations, spinal cord injuries, and other nerve injuries.  Infections can also cause brain injuries which affect a person’s ability to process information, communication, and otherwise perfect all fo the same of substantially same daily functions after the incident.

Were You Diagnosed with an Infection?  Ask Our Oregon Medical Malpractice Lawyers for Help

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.

Please act quickly, there is a limited time (Statute of Limitations) in which you can bring a claim under the law.

For a free case evaluation

Call

(541) 385-1999 in Bend, Oregon
(503) 479-3646 in Portland, Oregon
(612) 444-3374 in Minnesota

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