October 22, 2024 | Nursing Home Abuse
Sepsis is a life-threatening condition that requires immediate medical attention. It is an extreme response our body has to an infection. If sepsis is not caught and treated in time, it can lead to tissue death and organ failure. In the worst cases, sepsis results in the person’s death. Most cases of sepsis are caused by bacterial infections. However, a person can develop sepsis from any type of infection, including viral infections.
The Stages of Sepsis Progression
There are three stages a person with sepsis may experience. With each stage, the risk of death or permanent organ damage is higher.
Stage One: Sepsis
Sepsis can be challenging to diagnose in the early stages because symptoms may mimic the infection. However, patients with sepsis generally experience:
- A low temperature (below 96.8F) or a high fever (above 101F)
- A bacterial, viral, or fungal infection confirmed through blood tests
- A rapid heartbeat above 90 beats per minute
- Rapid breathing at a rate of more than 20 breaths per minute
Generally, doctors must find at least two of the above symptoms before they diagnose sepsis. When sepsis is caught during the first stage, it can usually be treated successfully with antibiotic therapy.
Stage Two: Severe Sepsis
Severe sepsis is characterized by organ dysfunction. For example, a person’s kidneys may begin to shut down so that they need dialysis. Therefore, doctors look for signs that a person’s organs are beginning to fail. They also look for symptoms, including:
- Abnormal pain
- Confusion and unconsciousness
- Poor cardiac output
- Acute respiratory distress syndrome
- Decreased urine output
- Extreme weakness
- Difficulty breathing
- Sudden changes in mental state
- Chills
Aggressive treatment is required to prevent the patient’s organs from shutting down. Severe sepsis requires aggressive treatment with antibiotics and fluids. Doctors must try to reverse organ damage and prevent further damage.
Stage Three: Septic Shock
Septic shock is the third and final stage of sepsis. It has the highest mortality rate. The patient experiences massive organ failure and extremely low blood pressure. In addition to the above symptoms, the patient will likely exhibit little to no urine output, skin rash, heart palpitations, and cool, pale limbs. Despite the most aggressive treatment, patients may not survive septic shock.
What Are the Consequences of Sepsis?
Sepsis can have long-lasting symptoms even when a patient recovers fully. Generally, the longer a patient is in the hospital for treatment or reaches stages two or three, the risk of post-sepsis syndrome increases.
Post-sepsis syndrome is a collection of symptoms a patient may experience long after they recover from sepsis. The symptoms include:
- Lack of appetite
- Sleep disturbances
- Rash
- Shortness of breath
- Swelling of the arms and legs
- Renal failure
- Painful joints
- Hair loss
- Debilitating fatigue
- Cardiovascular events
Sepsis progresses quickly. Even with immediate treatment, a patient may not survive. Patients who survive sepsis may have permanent organ damage, including brain damage and kidney failure. The lungs, heart, and other organs may have permanent damage.
Are Some People at a Higher Risk of Developing Sepsis?
Anyone with an infection can develop sepsis. Therefore, it is always important to seek medical treatment when you have an infection or symptoms. Early detection and treatment are essential.
However, some individuals may be at a higher risk of developing sepsis. Adults 65 years and older and infants with a weakened immune system have a higher risk of sepsis. Individuals with chronic diseases, organ donor recipients, people receiving chemotherapy, and former sepsis patients are also at a higher risk.
Nursing Home Patients Are at Risk of Developing Sepsis
Sadly, patients in nursing homes are vulnerable to sepsis. Sepsis can be a warning sign of nursing home abuse and neglect. Nursing homes could be liable for damages if their conduct contributed to a patient’s condition. Reasons for liability could include:
- Being understaffed
- Failing to have a policy and procedure for recognizing and treating infections and sepsis
- Hiring unqualified employees
- Failing to train employees adequately
- Violating state and federal laws
- Failing to move and turn patients to avoid bedsores
- Ignoring a patient’s hygiene and needs
- Failing to obtain medical treatment at the first sign of an infection or sepsis
- Not supervising employees to ensure they do not neglect or abuse patients
If your loved one developed sepsis because of nursing home abuse, they could be entitled to compensation for their economic and non-economic damages. If they died, you may receive compensation for damages by filing a wrongful death lawsuit.
There is not enough money to compensate a person or family for the suffering they experience. However, suing the nursing home can help you receive a measure of justice by holding those responsible accountable for their wrongdoing and negligence.
Contact A Chicago Personal Injury Lawyer For Help
No matter what caused you or your loved one to develop sepsis, you might be entitled to compensation for your suffering. If you have questions about a sepsis personal injury lawsuit, contact our Chicago personal injury lawyers at Powell and Pisman Injury Lawyers for a free consultation.
Contact our Nursing Home Abuse Firm at Powell and Pisman Injury Lawyers
If your loved one has experienced abuse in a nursing home in Chicago, IL, don’t navigate the legal process alone. Our dedicated team is here to provide the expert guidance you need to secure the compensation you deserve. Contact our experienced attorneys at Powell and Pisman Injury Lawyers for a free consultation.
We serve Cook County and its surrounding areas:
Powell and Pisman Injury Lawyers
875 N Dearborn St 4th Floor
Chicago, IL 60610
(312) 635-5400