Amputations Due to Sepsis and Medical Malpractice

Sepsis is a life-threatening condition that is caused by an untreated infection. Many infections often require antibiotic administration of antibiotics or other drugs for treatment. When proper care for an infection is not provided, it can progress to sepsis. Sepsis in and of itself is a very dangerous condition, but also can lead to even more serious repercussions. An example of this is amputation. Sadly, some individuals end of requiring amputation of a limb or limbs, or other body parts due to the infection. Often times, when a person develops a case of sepsis that progresses to the point where an amputation has to occur, it is often the result of medical malpractice. 

 

Although an amputation or loss of a limb can happen without medical malpractice, it can happen with medical mistakes.  There are a few ways.  The most common ways all involve the reckless, careless, or negligent conduct of a healthcare provider.  This could also be a healthcare facility such as a hospital, outpatient center, or another facility.  Amputations are very serious and could be dangerous, debilitating, and result in permanent disability.  

 

They could also be due to sepsis, which is a common cause.  This cause is also commonly due to medical malpractice or negligence of a healthcare provider.  If sepsis is the cause of an amputation in Oregon, it really could be due to the medical mistakes, negligence, or outright misconduct of a healthcare provider.  This can allow a victim to recover compensation for his or her injuries, as well as for the damages caused.  These damages could be significant in an amputation cause because the limb obviously cannot be regrown or reattached; the damage is permanent.  This means that medical malpractice in this type of case is really catastrophic.

 

What is Sepsis?

 

A normal infection may start in one part of the body (i.e. a wound from a cut or a lung infection) but if left untreated, it can strengthen and spread through the blood stream into other areas of the body. Sepsis is a body’s response to an infection that has become overpowering. The body’s immune system then reacts in an attempt to fight the infection. However, the immune system response can also cause a lot of harm to other parts of the body often leading to tissue damage. Additionally, there can be a loss of blood flow to the tissues and organs, leading to tissue death. When this process occurs, it can lead to the need for interventions such as amputations.

 

Signs of Sepsis

 

People initially may present with common symptoms of infections such as fever or an elevated white blood cell count. However, when sepsis occurs typically the following signs are exhibited:

 

• Hypotension (low blood pressure) 
• Tachypnea (high respiratory rate) of 22 breaths per minute or more
• Change in mental status

 

Sources of Infections Leading to Sepsis

 

There are many different reasons as to why an individual may develop sepsis. Common causes include the following:

 

• Surgical wounds that are not properly managed
• Undiagnosed or untreated common infections
• Failure to properly maintain an IV line leading to infection
• Bedsores due to a lack of turning and positioning. This commonly occurs in nursing homes and can also occur in hospital settings

 

Medical Malpractice Related to Sepsis-Related Amputations

 

There are many ways that medical malpractice can cause sepsis as well as sepsis-related amputations. The most common causes of sepsis related amputations include the following:

 

• Failure to treat sepsis appropriately and in a timely manner – Sepsis can be in and of itself caused by medical malpractice. However, when it progresses to sepsis and a healthcare provider fails to treat sepsis in a timely manner with the correct treatment, it can lead to the need for serious interventions such as amputation
• Hospital-acquired infections can lead to sepsis. Hospital acquired infections can be difficult to treat as they are often very drug resistant and aggressive. Infections in hospitals are often the result of lack of cleanliness, lack of sterile technique for sterile procedures, and failure to appropriately care for any IV lines or catheters
• Unnecessary amputations – As mentioned above, tissue damage and death can occur due to sepsis. While amputations are sometimes necessary because of this, sometimes amputations can be avoided. Some healthcare providers may be quick to jump to performing an amputation when an amputation could have been entirely avoided. This is considered to be medical malpractice. 

 

Any type of sepsis-related amputations should be handled and reviewed by a trained medical malpractice lawyer because a victim and the victim’s family may be entitled to compensation under Oregon law.  Our lawyer handles these types of very serious medical malpractice cases in Oregon, but also in Minnesota.  If you or a loved one have had any surprising outcomes at a hospital resulting in an amputation, especially due to sepsis, ask our law firm for help.

 

Call Our Unnecessary Amputation Lawyer in Oregon for Help 

 

If you or a loved one have been seriously injured or killed as a result of medical malpractice contact the Oregon Medical Malpractice Lawyers at Kuhlman Law at our number below or fill out the intake form.  We offer a free initial case evaluation and handle cases on a contingency fee which means that you pay no money unless we recover.

 

Our law firm handles cases throughout the state including Bend and Portland Oregon, Redmond, Central Oregon, Sisters, Madras, Multnomah County, Deschutes County, Salem, Eugene, Corvallis, Lane County, Medford, Gresham, La Grande, Albany, Medford, Beaverton, Umatilla, Pendleton,  Cottage Grove, Florence, Oregon City, Springfield, Keizer, Grants Pass, McMinnville, Tualatin, West Linn, Forest Grove, Wilsonville, Newberg, Roseburg, Lake Oswego, Klamath Falls, Happy Valley, Tigard, Ashland, Milwakie, Coos Bay, The Dalles,  St. Helens, Sherwood, Central Point, Canby, Troutdale, Hermiston, Silverton, Hood River, Newport, Prineville, Astoria, Tillamook, Lincoln City, Hillsboro, and Vancouver, Washington.

 

We also have an office in Minneapolis, Minnesota and take medical malpractice cases throughout the Twin Cities, including St. Paul, Hennepin County, Ramsey County, Dakota County, Washington County, Anoka County, Scott County, Blaine, Stillwater, and Saint Paul Minnesota.