An infection can begin with symptoms that seem manageable at first. For example, a urinary tract infection may cause discomfort. Pneumonia might start with a cough and fever. Or a surgical wound may become red or painful. In many cases, patients seek medical care, receive treatment, and recover. 

Sometimes, however, an infection triggers a dangerous chain reaction that spreads throughout the body. The result can be sepsis, which is a life-threatening medical emergency that requires a fast diagnosis and treatment. 

Sepsis can progress quickly, and its early symptoms can be difficult to distinguish from those of other illnesses. That makes awareness especially important for patients, families, and healthcare professionals.  

During Sepsis Awareness Month, the medical malpractice lawyers at Fieger Law encourage families to learn how sepsis develops, which warning signs demand immediate attention, and what options may be available when failures in medical care contribute to serious harm to their loved ones. 

What Is Sepsis? 

Sepsis occurs when the body’s response to an infection becomes dysregulated and even dangerous. Instead of remaining focused on fighting the source of the infection, the body’s response can begin damaging its own tissues and organs. Blood flow may become impaired, inflammation can spread throughout the body, and vital organs may no longer function properly. 

Without prompt treatment, a patient can suffer organ failure and even go into septic shock, which is a severe stage of sepsis associated with dangerously low blood pressure and an increased risk of death. 

Sepsis is also much more common than many people realize. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, at least 1.7 million adults in the United States develop sepsis each year.  

In addition, at least 350,000 adults who develop sepsis die while hospitalized or are discharged to hospice. The CDC also reports that approximately one in three people who die in a hospital had sepsis during that hospitalization. 

Many cases begin outside the hospital, making it especially important for patients and families to recognize when an ordinary infection may be becoming something more serious and even potentially fatal.  

What Are Common Causes of Sepsis? 

Almost any infection can lead to sepsis. However, certain types of infections are more commonly associated with the condition than others. 

These include: 

  • Pneumonia and other lung infections 
  • Urinary tract and kidney infections 
  • Abdominal and gastrointestinal infections 
  • Skin and soft tissue infections 
  • Bloodstream infections 
  • Infections that develop after surgery or another medical procedure 

Bacterial infections are a common cause of sepsis, although viral, fungal, and other infections can also trigger it. 

The underlying infection may initially appear to be minor. A patient might even have already sought treatment before their condition begins to deteriorate. This is one reason continued monitoring and appropriate follow-up can be so important, especially when a patient has risk factors for severe infection or develops new symptoms. 

Know the Warning Signs of Sepsis 

Sepsis can progress rapidly, and patients who develop it can begin experiencing severe complications in a matter of hours. The Cleveland Clinic notes that septic shock can cause death in as little as 12 hours. 

Symptoms vary from one patient to another, but warning signs can include: 

  • Confusion, disorientation, or difficulty waking 
  • Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing 
  • A rapid heart rate 
  • Low blood pressure 
  • Fever, chills, or an unusually low body temperature 
  • Severe or unexplained pain 
  • Pale, clammy, discolored, or mottled skin 
  • Extreme weakness or fatigue 
  • A noticeable and rapid decline in overall condition 

These symptoms deserve immediate attention when someone has a known or suspected infection, as they could point towards sepsis.  

What Are Potential Complications of Sepsis? 

Even when a patient survives sepsis, the effects on their health can be highly damaging and long-term. Because sepsis can interfere with circulation and damage multiple organs, complications may extend far beyond the original infection. 

Severe sepsis may result in kidney, lung, heart, or other organ damage. Some patients require mechanical ventilation, dialysis, surgery, or extended treatment in an intensive care unit. Poor circulation and tissue damage can become so severe that amputation is necessary in some cases. 

Survivors may also face long recovery periods. Depending on the severity of their illness, they can experience:  

  • Persistent weakness 
  • Reduced mobility 
  • Chronic pain 
  • Cognitive difficulties 
  • Sleep problems 
  • Other physical or psychological effects 

Some people need extensive rehabilitation or ongoing assistance with everyday activities after leaving the hospital. For families, the impact can include months or years of medical care, lost income, caregiving responsibilities, and major changes to daily life. 

When Delayed Sepsis Treatment May Be Medical Negligence 

A patient developing sepsis doesn’t automatically mean that their healthcare provider did something wrong. However, medical professionals are expected to respond appropriately to a patient’s symptoms, test results, risk factors, and changing condition. 

Because time is of the essence in sepsis, unnecessary delays in treating and managing it can have devastating consequences. Potential failures in sepsis cases may include: 

  • Failing to recognize signs and symptoms consistent with sepsis 
  • Delaying the diagnosis of a serious infection 
  • Failing to order appropriate bloodwork, cultures, imaging, or other tests 
  • Delaying appropriate treatment after sepsis is suspected 
  • Failing to adequately monitor a patient whose condition is deteriorating 
  • Discharging a patient without appropriately addressing concerning symptoms 
  • Failing to respond to abnormal test results or changes in vital signs 
  • Communication failures between physicians, nurses, and other providers during transitions of care 

Determining whether medical negligence occurred requires a careful examination of the patient’s condition and the care that was provided. Medical records, laboratory results, medication records, provider notes, and the timeline of the patient’s deterioration may all be important. 

Who Can Be Held Liable for Sepsis-Related Injuries? 

Liability depends on how the injury occurred and which people or organizations were responsible for the patient’s care. 

In a medical negligence case, potentially responsible parties may include:  

  • Physicians 
  • Nurses 
  • Emergency department providers 
  • Hospitals 
  • Specialty clinics 

More than one party may share responsibility when multiple failures contributed to a delay in diagnosis or treatment. 

For example, a physician may fail to recognize concerning symptoms, while hospital staff may fail to communicate changes in the patient’s vital signs. In another case, a patient may be discharged despite laboratory findings or symptoms that required further evaluation. 

Identifying who may be legally responsible requires more than looking at the patient’s final diagnosis. An investigation must determine what each healthcare provider involved in a patient’s treatment knew, when they knew it, what actions they took, and whether appropriate care could have prevented or reduced the patient’s injuries. 

What Compensation Is Available if I or My Loved One Developed Sepsis? 

Sepsis can leave patients and their families facing major financial and personal losses. When medical negligence contributes to those losses, a legal claim may allow an injured patient to seek compensation for damages resulting from the harm they experienced. 

Depending on the circumstances, patients and their families may be able to seek compensation for:  

  • Past and future medical expenses 
  • Rehabilitation and therapy 
  • Lost wages and reduced future earning capacity 
  • Ongoing nursing or personal care 
  • Pain and suffering 
  • Disability and loss of independence 
  • Other damages resulting from serious, long-term injuries 

When sepsis results in death, eligible surviving family members may also have the right to pursue a wrongful death claim.  

Affected Families Deserve Answers 

A person who is experiencing sepsis may be too sick, confused, or weak to advocate for themselves. That’s why awareness of the condition among family members can make a big difference. Knowing the symptoms, recognizing a sudden decline, and communicating concerns to doctors and other healthcare professionals can help a patient receive urgent attention when every minute counts. 

Healthcare providers also play an important role. Patients depend on medical professionals to identify dangerous changes, investigate possible infections, communicate effectively, and provide timely treatment. 

Contact Fieger Law Today for a Free Consultation  

For decades, Fieger Law has represented patients and families affected by serious medical negligence. When warning signs are overlooked or necessary treatment is delayed, families deserve to understand what happened and whether the harm could have been prevented. 

Sepsis Awareness Month provides an important opportunity to learn the warning signs and share that knowledge with others. And for families already living with the consequences of a delayed diagnosis or treatment, it can also be a reminder that they have the right to seek answers. 

If you believe medical negligence contributed to a serious sepsis-related injury or the loss of someone you love, Fieger Law can investigate the circumstances surrounding the care provided and help you understand your legal options. Contact us today to get started.