(845) 802-0047Patients trust hospitals to improve and stabilize their health. Unfortunately, some patients are harmed in medical facilities due to poor infection control practices. If were injured by an infection you developed after a surgical procedure, speak with a Kingston avoidable infection lawyer to discuss if you have a viable claim for monetary compensation. A local medical malpractice attorney could help you better understand your legal rights and explain your legal options for compensation.
Common Causes of Avoidable Infections in Kingston
In hospitals, there a many factors which may contribute to a viral or bacterial infection. Hospitals, physicians, nurses, and other healthcare providers owe their patients a duty of care which includes taking reasonable steps to prevent infections obtained in a medical facility. Failure to take adequate precautions to protect patients constitutes a breach of their duty of care. This may render them liable for any resulting injuries and damages.
Common causes of avoidable infections in a physician’s office or hospital setting include the following:
- Antibiotic overuse creating a resistant bacterium
- Failure to disinfect medical equipment such as medical tools, call lights, and IV pumps
- Improperly disposing of tissue, blood, and other biohazardous materials
- Poor hygiene practices like infrequent handwashing
Patients diagnosed with surgical site infections, catheter infections, ventilator-associated infections, central line infections, or any other type of infection after being admitted to a hospital should get in touch with a Kingston avoidable infection attorney to seek justice for their suffering.
What are the Most Common Preventable Infections?
There are several types of infections commonly acquired in hospitals. These include staph infections and MRSA, pneumonia, urinary tract infections, surgical site infections, and bloodstream infections. If someone suffers a serious injury because of a health-care-associated infection, their Kingston attorney could help them pursue their legal rights to compensation. Each of these health issues could vary in severity, but left unchecked, they may even prove fatal.
Staph Infections and MRSA
Staph infections, including Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus or MRSA, most often occur among patients in healthcare facilities and hospitals who have vulnerable immune systems. MRSA is a type of bacteria that resists certain antibiotics and commonly impacts elderly nursing home residents and surgical hospital patients. A patient who has suffered from a hospital-acquired infection should consult with an experienced attorney to determine if it was caused by negligence.
Pneumonia
Children, the elderly, and individuals with a chronic disease or weakened immune system are most at-risk for pneumonia. Pneumonia is inflammation of the lungs and the intensity of pneumonia may range from reasonably mild and treatable to life-threatening.
Urinary Tract Infections
A urinary tract infection or UTI impacts the urinary system, which is comprised of the bladder, ureters, kidneys, and urethra. A UTI may impact any of these particular organs but is most commonly found in the lower tract involving the bladder and urethra. UTI’s are more common in women than men.
A UTI in the lower tract may result in significant discomfort and pain for those afflicted, as well as difficulty controlling and regulating urine elimination. If the infection impacts the kidneys, it can pose a severe risk to the individual’s health.
Surgical Site Infections
Many issues may arise due to surgical site infections, especially when they are not quickly recognized and treated. Sources of infection in the operating room or failure to properly sanitize operating instruments or leaving objects in the body may be the cause of such an infection.
Bloodstream Infections
Among the more serious infections a patient may acquire in a hospital are hepatitis A, B, and C, tuberculosis, and mumps. Bloodstream infections may be extremely detrimental to a patient’s health and some are completely untreatable and deadly.
When Could a Plaintiff File a Kingston Avoidable Infections Case?
New York Civil Practice Law & Rules 214-A requires that all medical malpractice lawsuits be filed no later than two years and six months after the alleged incident. If the medical provider’s error occurred as part of a continuous course of treatment, the statutory clock does not begin running until the treatment is finished. Failure to file by the expiration of this statutory limit may void a plaintiff’s right to compensate.
A Kingston Avoidable Infection Attorney Could Assist with Your Claim
If you are prepared to pursue the compensation you are owed after developing an infection in a hospital, contact a Kingston avoidable infection lawyer for assistance with your claim. An attorney could help determine if your matter has legal standing, advise on which strategies may be most effective, and represent you in court. Call now to make your appointment with a skilled Kingston lawyer.