Maryland Hospital Infection Lawyers
When you go to the hospital, it’s so you can receive treatment for an illness or injury. Unfortunately, it is possible for you to leave the hospital in a worsened condition. How? By developing an infection while you are in the hospital, causing you to get even sicker.
Hospital infections are a serious matter. Every year, hundreds of thousands of patients in the United States develop serious infections while being treated at a hospital. These infections are often fatal.
It’s devastating that many of these infections could have been prevented if healthcare professionals would have followed hygiene procedures and other precautions. Hospitals do not take the time to enforce these rules, though, increasing the risk of patients.
If you received an infection at a hospital or at another healthcare facility, you may be eligible for compensation, particularly if the infection resulted in serious illness, injury or death. Contact the Maryland hospital infection lawyers at Wais, Vogelstein, Forman, Koch & Norman to learn about your legal options.
Common Hospital Infections
Hospitals are a breeding ground for various infections, including the following:
- Pneumonia. Pneumonia refers to an infection of the lung tissue. It is a common condition that affects the air sacs of the lungs, causing them to fill with fluid and inflammatory cells. Pneumonia is especially serious for the very young or the elderly.
- Sepsis. Sepsis is a condition that causes a body’s immune system to go into overdrive and create a chain reaction due to the presence of an infection, such as bacteria, viruses, or fungi. Sepsis is characterized by low blood pressure and is a common cause of death among patients in the intensive care unit (ICU).
- Surgical site infections. As many as 20% of healthcare-associated infections are related to surgery. These infections can range from a wound discharge to a life-threatening postoperative complication. Many of these infections involve organisms such as Salmonella, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella, and shigella.
- Urinary tract infections. Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are caused by the presence of microorganisms in the urinary tract. The infection can affect the kidney, bladder, urethra, prostate gland, and surrounding tissues. Uncomplicated UTIs typically affect women and children, while complicated ones are usually associated with catheters, urinary tract abnormalities, or exposure to antibiotics.
- Clostridium difficile. Clostridium difficile (C.diff) is known as the leading cause of healthcare-associated infective diarrhea. It can be found in the intestinal tracts of both humans and animals, and its spores are resistant to disinfection. They can remain infectious on contaminated surfaces for long periods of time.
Contact Us Today
Hospital infections happen quite often and can result in serious complications. Hospitals need to take responsibility and keep these infections from occurring.
If you have been affected by an infection, you need proper legal representation for your case.
The hospital infection lawyers at Wais, Vogelstein, Forman, Koch & Norman are ready to fight your medical malpractice case. Schedule a free consultation by calling 410-998-3600.
