A serious postoperative infection can dramatically alter a patient’s life. It can also turn what may have been a successful procedure into a massive health complication that can affect a patient’s recovery prognosis. If you developed a postoperative infection because a healthcare provider failed to meet the accepted standard of care, you may have grounds for a Philadelphia medical malpractice claim.
An experienced Philadelphia postoperative infection attorney at Morris Wilson Knepp Jacquette, P.C. can help you investigate what happened and pursue compensation for your losses. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation to learn more. We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning we only get paid if we win your case.
Why Choose Morris Wilson Knepp Jacquette, P.C. to Handle Your Infection Case?
Postoperative infection cases require representation that knows how to investigate medical facility sanitation and surgical errors to uncover what went wrong.
Clients throughout Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, trust Morris Wilson Knepp Jacquette, P.C. because:
- Our Philadelphia surgical error attorneys have spent decades litigating complex medical malpractice and infection claims throughout Pennsylvania.
- We have secured more than $75 million in settlements and verdicts for individuals and families harmed by medical negligence.
- We partner with respected healthcare specialists to give our clients the strongest cases possible
- Every case receives individualized attention, and we pride ourselves on maintaining open communication with our clients throughout the legal process.
- We advance the costs of litigation and only collect a fee if we successfully recover compensation on your behalf.
Call us today to schedule a free case review with an experienced Philadelphia medical malpractice lawyer who can help you with a postoperative infection case.
Do I Need an Attorney to Help Me Seek Compensation for an Infection Caused by a Surgical Procedure?
You are not required to hire an attorney to pursue a medical malpractice claim. However, postoperative infection cases almost demand it.
Pennsylvania law requires plaintiffs to satisfy specific procedural requirements before moving forward with a malpractice lawsuit. In addition, proving liability often requires testimony from qualified medical experts regarding the applicable standard of care and how healthcare providers violated it.
Without legal representation, patients may struggle to:
- Investigate exactly how the infection error occurred
- Uncover all individuals and healthcare entities that contributed to the mistakes that led to your condition
- Consult with respected medical professionals to evaluate the standard of care
- Ensure compliance with Pennsylvania’s medical malpractice filing rules
- Document the full extent of your medical, financial, and personal losses
- Advocate for your interests during settlement negotiations and litigation proceedings
Hospitals and healthcare systems are often represented by experienced defense lawyers whose goal is to minimize or defeat claims. Having an attorney on your side helps level the playing field and protect your rights.
When Are Postoperative Infections Considered Malpractice?
Infections can sometimes develop without malpractice — every surgical procedure carries inherent risks. However, healthcare providers must act reasonably under the circumstances to prevent infections.
A postoperative infection may constitute malpractice when a provider fails to meet the accepted standard of care, and that failure contributes to the patient’s infection.
Examples of conduct that may support a Philadelphia hospital malpractice claim include:
- Failing to maintain sterile surgical conditions
- Improperly sterilizing instruments
- Failing to follow infection-control protocols
- Delaying diagnosis of an infection
- Failing to recognize warning signs of infection
- Delaying necessary treatment
- Prescribing inappropriate antibiotics
- Failing to monitor a patient after surgery
- Poor wound care management
Hospitals and surgical centers may also face liability if sanitation failures contribute to an infection. The best way to determine whether you have a malpractice claim is to consult an experienced Philadelphia ER malpractice attorney for help.
Common Procedures That Can Trigger Infections
Postoperative infections can occur after any surgical procedure. However, certain procedures carry elevated infection risks because of the nature of the surgery or the patient’s condition.
Common procedures associated with postoperative infection claims include:
Joint Replacement Surgery
Hip, knee, and shoulder replacement procedures may result in infections involving implanted hardware. These infections can require multiple revision surgeries and extended antibiotic treatment.
Spinal Surgery
Spinal procedures can lead to serious infections involving the vertebrae, spinal cord, or surrounding tissues. These infections may result in neurological complications and additional surgeries to correct chronic pain.
Cardiac Procedures
Heart surgery patients often face significant risks if infections develop around surgical sites or implanted devices.
Abdominal Surgery
Procedures involving the digestive tract can create opportunities for dangerous bacterial infections.
Cosmetic Surgery
Plastic surgery procedures may result in infections that cause disfigurement and the need for corrective surgery.
Cesarean Sections and Obstetrical Procedures
Mothers may develop surgical site infections following C-sections or other obstetrical procedures.
Any procedure where medical staff fail to provide proper postoperative care can result in infections. That’s why providers must follow accepted medical standards when caring for a patient who recently completed a surgery.
What Compensation Can I Recover After Acquiring an Infection Due to Malpractice?
A severe postoperative infection can create enormous financial and personal losses. Many patients require additional surgeries, prolonged hospital stays, and ongoing treatment.
If malpractice caused your infection, you may be entitled to recover compensation for both economic and non-economic damages. Potential compensation may include:
- Past medical expenses
- Future medical treatment costs
- Additional surgeries and procedures
- Hospitalization expenses
- Prescription medication costs
- Rehabilitation expenses
- Lost wages
- Reduced earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Disability or impairment
- Disfigurement and scarring
- Loss of enjoyment of life
In cases involving fatal infections, surviving family members may also be entitled to pursue wrongful death and survival claims under Pennsylvania law.
Contact an Experienced Philadelphia Postoperative Infection Attorney for Help
Postoperative infections can transform a routine medical procedure into a life-altering event. If you or a loved one developed a serious postoperative infection after surgery, you should consult an attorney to determine whether you experienced malpractice.
The experienced Philadelphia medical malpractice attorneys at Morris Wilson Knepp Jacquette, P.C. can put decades of experience behind your case. We’ll help you evaluate whether you suffered from substandard postoperative care and pursue full compensation for your injuries and damages.
Contact us today to schedule a free consultation to learn more about your legal rights. We’re here to help you get justice.