Sepsis treatment can save lives and may help prevent severe complications, but it isn’t always effective. Unfortunately, some nursing home residents will die from sepsis, or suffer long-term health problems, even if they get the right treatment promptly after diagnosis.
Possible Problems Caused by Sepsis
When sepsis goes untreated, or when the treatment is ineffective, the patient could suffer short-term effects that require rest and rehabilitation. Additionally, a person could suffer more significant long-term complications, including:
- Muscle and joint pain. The pain may be severe and disabling.
- Organ failure. Respiratory problems or kidney failure could develop, for example.
- Amputations. The site of the infection may need to be amputated.
- Post-sepsis syndrome. Post-sepsis syndrome, or PSS, can include muscle weakness, fatigue, chest pain, anxiety, memory problems, cognitive problems, and PTSD.
- Death. People with severe sepsis or septic shock have a significant risk of death, even with sepsis treatment.
If your loved one suffered from any of these complications after developing sepsis in a nursing home, it is important to learn about your loved one’s legal rights.
Possible Recoveries From Sepsis Complications
A physical recovery may not be possible, but a legal recovery may be an option if your loved one developed sepsis because of nursing home negligence. To pursue a legal recovery from the nursing home that caused your loved one’s sepsis and resulting injuries, your loved one or her estate must prove that sepsis, or the failure to recognize symptoms of sepsis, were caused by nursing home negligence.
Our staff nurse and experienced Kentucky nursing home negligence lawyers will review all of your nursing home and medical records, talk to witnesses, and gather other relevant evidence to find out exactly what happened. Then, if appropriate, we will seek damages from the nursing home. Your loved one’s time to take action against a Kentucky nursing home is limited by law. Accordingly, we encourage you to contact us at your earliest convenience to discuss your loved one’s rights and how to protect them after a sepsis injury.