Failure to diagnose paediatric sepsis

What is failure to diagnose paediatric sepsis?

Paediatric sepsis is a severe and potentially life-threatening condition that occurs when the body responds abnormally to infection, damaging tissues and organs. Prompt identification, diagnosis and treatment of paediatric sepsis is critical in reducing the risk of serious and potentially fatal outcomes. Unfortunately, there are instances where healthcare professionals fail to identify the signs of sepsis in children in a timely manner, delaying treatment and significantly affecting outcomes.

A failure to diagnose paediatric sepsis might occur if doctors, nurses or other medical staff overlook or misinterpret early signs of the condition, such as fever, rapid breathing, increased heart rate, tiredness, confusion or abnormal skin colouration. When diagnosis and treatment of paediatric sepsis is delayed or incorrect, the risk of complications increases drastically and can even lead to permanent damage or fatality. If negligence by healthcare professionals contributed to misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis, then you may be eligible to claim compensation for your child’s suffering.

Can you claim compensation for failure to diagnose paediatric sepsis?

If your child has been affected by the delayed or missed diagnosis of paediatric sepsis, you may be able to claim compensation for medical negligence. Compensation claims can be sought for:

• Your child’s physical pain, emotional distress and ongoing suffering
• Covers for past, present and future medical care and rehabilitation costs
• Loss of earnings and additional expenses incurred by parents or guardians due to the child’s condition
• Costs related to special educational needs or adaptations in living arrangements, if required

At Stephensons, our experienced and compassionate team will work closely with medical experts to establish whether negligence occurred, gathering vital evidence and diligently preparing your case to ensure maximum compensation is achieved.

Why choose us for your paediatric sepsis negligence claim?

Stephensons is one of the UK's leading medical negligence law firms, recognised for our commitment, experience and compassion in sensitive cases such as failure to diagnose paediatric sepsis. Our dedicated solicitors have a proven track record of successfully obtaining compensation for families affected by negligent medical care.

When you choose Stephensons, you benefit from:

• Highly experienced team accredited by the Law Society Clinical Negligence Accreditation,
• A caring, compassionate approach where the wellbeing of your child and family remains our top priority
• No win, no fee arrangements available, ensuring minimal financial risk to you while pursuing the claim
• Comprehensive and clear communication, keeping you informed every step of the way

How we can help with your claim

At Stephensons, we understand that seeking justice for your child can be distressing and complex; our specialist solicitors are here to support you throughout the claims process. We will:

• Assess your case thoroughly to determine if negligence occurred
• Gather detailed medical evidence and expert opinion to support your claim
• Negotiate robustly with medical insurers and healthcare institutions on your behalf
• Pursue your claim to court if necessary, ensuring your child's best interests are protected at all times
• Offer guidance and support during the entire claims procedure, addressing any concerns or queries along the way

Contact Stephensons today

If you believe your child has been affected by a failure to diagnose paediatric sepsis, please contact our experienced medical negligence team today on 0161 696 6165 or fill in our enquiry form and we will call you back at a convenient time. Our team is ready to provide you with free initial advice regarding your potential compensation claim.

Frequently asked questions about failure to diagnose paediatric sepsis

What are the signs of paediatric sepsis?

Early symptoms of paediatric sepsis include fever, extreme lethargy, rapid breathing and heart rate, unusually cold extremities, and changes to alertness or mental state. Prompt medical attention is crucial.

Is there a time limit for making a compensation claim?

You typically have three years from the date of negligence or from when you became aware of negligence to make a claim. However, in children’s medical negligence cases, this period usually commences from the child's 18th birthday. We recommend seeking legal advice promptly.

How long will a compensation claim take?

The duration varies significantly depending on case complexity, evidence needed and response from the healthcare providers involved. Our team will provide ongoing updates on your claim’s progress.

Will we have to go to court?

Most paediatric sepsis negligence claims settle before reaching court. Should court proceedings become necessary, our experts will support and guide you throughout the process to ensure minimal distress.