MRSA, or methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, is a staph infection commonly contracted during a hospital stay that can cause severe consequences for patients, as it is resistant to many antibiotics and is difficult to treat.
In rare cases, this type of infection can be attributed to medical malpractice. However, you will need the guidance of an experienced medical malpractice attorney to review the details of your situation and determine if a doctor or another medical professional is liable for your illness.
Request a free, no obligation consultation with D’Amico & Pettinicchi today to find out if you have legal options for pursuing compensation of your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
What Is MRSA?
MRSA is an infection that spreads through contact with infected wounds or sharing items that have touched an infected wound. The risk of contracting MRSA is higher in certain environments, especially those that are crowded and where equipment is shared, such as in a hospital or medical facility.
MRSA Causes
Most MRSA infections develop in patients who have recently been in a hospital or care facility, such as a nursing home or outpatient treatment center. This is known as healthcare-associated MRSA. In these cases, MRSA is typically spread from contact with infected people or items. Medical facilities have a responsibility to disinfect and prevent cross-contamination between patients – when they fail to do so, infections spread easily.
MRSA Symptoms
MRSA typically presents as a skin infection. Without treatment, it can progress to affect bones, joints, heart valves, lungs and the blood stream. Symptoms include:
- Wound that looks like a spider bite or pimple
- Pus-filled wound with possible drainage
- Fever
- Wound that is warm to the touch
- Redness
- Swelling
- Pain
A MRSA infection contracted in a hospital or medical facility is particularly dangerous, as the patients in these settings tend to already have compromised health. They may be recovering from surgery with surgical wounds or from severe illnesses and have already compromised immune systems. MRSA infections can cause a patient’s condition to worsen, requiring extensive treatment and a more difficult recovery.
When MRSA Is Caused by Negligence
Hospital-acquired infections like MRSA may be caused by a medical professional or facility’s negligence. This can include situations such as:
- Delayed treatment – Medical malpractice may have occurred if the patient’s condition was misdiagnosed or if the patient did not receive effective treatment for a MRSA infection in a timely manner, leading to a worsened infection. Although MRSA can be difficult to detect, health care providers should provide more attention and care for patient’s most at risk of developing MRSA.
- Surgical neglect – Surgical patients have a high risk for developing staph infections like MRSA. For this reason, surgeons and other professionals should be careful not to commit surgical errors that could lead to an infection.
- Improper sterilization and disinfection – Germs are prevalent in hospitals and other health care facilities. Because of this, these facilities have sterilization and disinfection protocols in place to prevent staph infections and MRSA. Failing to follow these protocols can leave the facility or professionals liable for infections that spread among patients.
When MRSA infections result from negligence, medical professionals or facilities may be held liable for the damages suffered by victims. Consult with a reputable attorney who will investigate your case to discover the source of your infection and help you pursue your claim for maximum compensation.
Schedule a Free Consultation with Our Attorneys
The experienced attorneys of D’Amico & Pettinicchi have years of experienced pursuing negligent medical professionals and holding them accountable for the harm they have caused. We will help you determine if your infection was preventable and determine if you have a case. If you do, we will work to recover maximum compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Schedule a free, no obligation consultation with our legal team today and learn what options are available for pursuing compensation in your case. There are no upfront fees, and we only get paid if we recover compensation for you.