Failure to Treat Staph Infection

If you suffered harm due to a doctor’s failure to diagnose a Staph infection, you may have a medical malpractice claim. These infections can lead to amputation and other serious injuries. Contact a lawyer at our law firm about your case by calling 1-888-377-8900 toll free.

Staphylococcus

$950,000 Recovery for Failure to Treat Staphylococcus Aureus

We generally only take cases where a doctor did not correctly diagnose the infection.

Pritzker Hageman attorneys recently secured a $950,000 recovery on behalf of a young man who developed a Staphylococcus aureus infection staph infection) after knee surgery. Eight days after surgery, the Staphylococcus aureus infection led to septic arthritis.

The lawsuit alleged that the doctors responsible for his care failed to recognize, test and treat the hospital staph infection on his knee.

As a result of the failure to treat the staph infection (Staphylococcus aureus), the man was seriously harmed:

  • He required massive skin grafting to cover the large leg wound that resulted from the infection
  • The articular cartilage in his knee was damaged
  • The man experienced and will continue to experience pain and increasing disability
  • He will require extensive future treatment

Hospital Staph Infection: Staphylococcus Aureus

Staph is short for Staphylococcus, a type of bacteria. There are over 30 types, but Staphylococcus aureus causes most staph infections. Staphylococcus aureus enter the joint in a number of ways including through or as a consequence of surgical incisions. Approximately 20,000 cases occur in the United States each year. The knee joint is the most common location for this infection.

Symptoms of a “staph infection” in a joint may include:

  • fever
  • redness, swelling, extreme tenderness occurring in a single joint
  • pus (yellowish-white substance) draining from a wound or abscess

Without treatment, a Staphylococcus aureus infection (staph infection) can lead to infectious arthritis (septic arthritis), organ failure or death.

To contact an attorney to discuss your case, please call toll-free at 1-888-377-8900.