Hospital Acquired Infection Case

Key Takeaways

• Negligent IV Care: An emergency room nurse changed the bandage on a paramedic-placed IV but failed to replace the needle, allowing a severe blood infection (sepsis) to develop over five days.
• Catastrophic Spinal Paralysis: The untreated hospital-acquired infection ultimately settled in the 70-year-old patient’s spine, tragically resulting in permanent paralysis.
• Severe Secondary Neglect: While immobilized and receiving treatment for the infection, the patient suffered further nursing neglect, developing massive pressure ulcers that required the surgical removal of a portion of his tailbone.

Preventable IV Infection Leads to Sepsis and Paralysis

Our 70 year old client was injured in a motorcycle accident. The paramedics responding to the accident scene started an IV in our client’s hand. While in the hospital emergency room, the nurse changed the bandage over the IV, but failed to change the needle. Over the next five days, the needle became severely infected, causing a blood infection known as sepsis. The infection ultimately settled in his spine, resulting in paralysis.

While in the hospital receiving treatment for his infection, our client developed pressure ulcers, also known as bed sores. Our client’s bed sore on his sacral area was so severe it resulted in surgical removal of a portion of his coccyx and a skin flap.

Such cases are troubling, especially when it’s known that blood infections such as sepsis and conditions such as pressure ulcers can be prevented. That’s why the passonate, honest and experienced Orlando medical malpractice attorneys at Warner & Warner in Casselberry, FL, are committed to providing clients like this and others with the absolute highest level of representation. We strive to make our world a better place by exposing inadequate and injurious medical care, dangerous acts and failures, and preventable injuries. We also care deeply about our clients and to bringing them the justice they deserve.