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Malpractice Caused by Failure to Diagnose Septic Arthritis

Septic arthritis is a medical emergency that requires immediate attention. If you have lost a limb because your doctor failed to diagnose or treat septic arthritis, you may have the right to pursue compensation through a medical malpractice claim. At DeFrancisco & Falgiatano Personal Injury Lawyers, we will examine your case and help you explore possible legal remedies for your harm. With extensive experience in New York medical malpractice law, we are committed to protecting the rights of each and every one of our clients.

Septic Arthritis

Septic arthritis, also known as reactive arthritic and bacterial arthritis, is inflammation of a joint caused by infection that is not caught in a timely manner. It is caused by a number of microorganisms, including bacteria and fungus being passed through a person’s bloodstream to a joint. The most common sites for septic arthritic are the hip and knee joints. An early and accurate diagnosis coupled with emergency treatment is crucial to making sure a patient’s condition does not worsen. If untreated, the septic arthritic can spread at a rapid pace and leave lifelong damage, which can lead to the amputation of the affected limb. In the most severe cases, septic arthritis can be life threatening.

Septic Arthritis Malpractice

If a doctor suspect’s septic arthritis, that doctor should immediately refer the patient to a hospital for further examination. If a patient has suffered harm due to a doctor’s error relating to a septic arthritis, that patient may be able to pursue monetary damages via a medical malpractice lawsuit. To win a medical malpractice case in New York, the injured patient has the burden of demonstrating the following elements:

  • The medical professional owed you a duty of care;
  • The medical professional violated the duty of care by providing treatment below the accepted standard of care;
  • The medical professional’s violation of the duty of care was a direct cause of the failure to diagnose or treat the septic arthritis; and
  • You lost a limb or suffered some type of quantifiable harm as a result.

Damages for Malpractice Relating to Septic Arthritis 

Since septic arthritis is a true medical emergency, the consequences for a patient can be devastating and long-term if they are not cared for properly. Once medical malpractice is established, New York law permits the victims of malpractice to recover a variety of damages for their harm. ‘Damages’ is the legal term for compensation in a medical malpractice lawsuit and common examples include: medical expenses, loss of earnings, rehabilitation costs, prosthetics and more.

Reputable Syracuse Medical Malpractice Attorneys

Septic arthritis can have devastating and life-altering consequences for a patient. If you have been injured by a medical professional’s failure to diagnose or treat septic arthritis properly, you need to consult a trusted Syracuse medical malpractice attorney who can help. At DeFrancisco & Falgiatano Personal Injury Lawyers, we understand how to assess complicated malpractice cases and help our clients obtain the compensation they rightfully deserve. For more information regarding your case, please do not hesitate to call us today at 833-200-2000 or contact us online.

More Blog Posts:

New York Woman Wins Malpractice Suit for Failure to Diagnose Glaucoma, Syracuse Medical Malpractice and Personal Injury Lawyer Blog, October 28, 2018

Shorter Wait Times Associated with Better Physician Reviews, Syracuse Medical Malpractice and Personal Injury Lawyer Blog, October 21, 2018

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