While hospitals are supposed to be places where people go when they are sick and want to get better, some patients have the opposite experience. Over 2 million infections occur each year as the result of hospital stays, and over 90,000 of these infections lead to death.
Hospital infections are very dangerous, but often preventable. Hospital infections can be contracted during a prolonged hospital stay due to failure of hospital staff to wash their hands, improper use of indwelling catheters or IV tubes, or improper procedures or sanitation during surgery.
Common types of hospital infections include urinary tract infections, pneumonia, and bacteria infection contracted during IV feeding or surgery. Other procedures that have a high risk of spreading infections are gastrointestinal procedures, obstetric procedures, and kidney dialysis.
The first symptom of a hospital infection is often a high fever, with rapid breathing, mental confusion, low blood pressure, and a high white blood-cell count soon following. These infections can be serious, and in some cases, can lead to wrongful death.
Because hospitals have a legal obligation to provide sanitary and safe conditions for their patients, and to keep them free of infections during their stay, hospitals can be held liable for the damage caused by infections. These are considered New York medical malpractice cases.
In recent years, numerous victims of hospital infections caused by medical malpractice have earned large settlements or awards in court. A Utah woman who lost three limbs settled a hospital infection case for over $16 million in 2008. There have been numerous similar instances since.
If you or a loved one have contracted an infection during a hospital stay, you likely have a case against the hospital due to their negligence. You can recover damages for the additional medical bills you incurred, as well as ongoing care and emotional suffering.
The first step in any medical malpractice from hospital infection case is to contact a Manhattan medical malpractice attorney. The attorneys at Rappaport, Glass, Greene, and Levine are experienced at handling New York medical malpractice cases, and they can talk to you about your legal rights and options.
