Meningitis is a severe infection of the fluid surrounding the brain and spinal cord that requires immediate attention and can be life-threatening. It can be either viral or bacterial, and when bacterial, it is sometimes the result of medical malpractice. For example, consulting with an experienced medical malpractice attorney is in your best interest if you contract meningitis after receiving medical treatment.
Other Causes of Meningitis
The Mayo Clinic explains that meningitis is an infection and inflammation of the meninges, the membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord. While the most common form of meningitis is a viral infection, it can also be caused by bacteria, fungi, and parasites. Symptoms tend to concentrate in the head and neck, with early symptoms including headaches, stiffness in the neck, and fever.
Treatment for Meningitis
Without swift medical treatment, meningitis can be fatal or debilitating. Treatment generally includes the administration of antibiotics, corticosteroids to reduce swelling, and IV fluids for dehydration. Close monitoring of the patient’s neurological status is also required. An attending medical professional failing to administer adequate care under the prescribed protocol can lead to potentially irreversible damage.
Is it Medical Malpractice?
Medical malpractice is more than simply making an error in judgment or failing to take the best course of action. Instead, medical malpractice applies when the medical professional or medical facility fails to employ the same standard that their professional peers would under similar circumstances. This can translate to taking actions that their peers wouldn’t have or failing to take actions that their peers would have given the situation.
When Medical Malpractice Causes Meningitis
In some instances, meningitis is related to medical malpractice, and common examples can include the following:
- Failing to perform the necessary exploratory tests on the patient, which generally include a spinal tap
- Not recognizing the disease’s early warning signs in the patient
- Failing to administer the IV antibiotics that are part of the protocol for meningitis-related spinal taps
- Interpreting test results incorrectly
- Failing to intervene with swift treatment or surgery when the patient exhibits increasing intracranial pressure, which can lead to devastating consequences that include death
- Misdiagnosing the patient, which allows the condition to worsen and can subject the patient to unnecessary and potentially harmful treatments and procedures
If any of these apply to your situation, a savvy medical malpractice lawyer will help.
Reach Out to an Experienced Harrisburg Medical Malpractice Lawyer
The focused medical malpractice lawyers at Marzella & Associates—proudly serving Harrisburg, Pennsylvania—dedicate our impressive practice to building strong claims that protect our clients’ legal rights and support their rightful compensation. We’re here for you, too. Your claim is important to your future, so please reach out and contact us online or call 717-876-8681 to schedule a free consultation and learn more about what we can do to help you today.