Portland Septic Shock Attorney

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Sepsis is an illness that occurs when an infection goes untreated in the body. Because the body detects the infection, it releases chemicals into the bloodstream that can cause an inflammatory response. If not properly monitored, this inflammation can cause severe damage such as organ failure and potentially death. A Portland septic shock attorney is prepared to take on your case, if you’ve been harmed due to medical negligence.

Infections acquired in hospitals are particularly susceptible to sepsis. It is the responsibility of the doctors and physicians to monitor infections and prevent them from getting worse. However, all too often, individuals suffer adverse effects from preventable septic symptoms. If you or your loved has suffered the consequences of negligence, contact our Portland medical malpractice attorneys today.

Portland Sepsis and Septic Shock: Delayed Recognition and Treatment

Late one evening, an expectant mother contacted her medical clinic reporting fluid loss (likely premature rupture of her amniotic fluid), chills, and concern that something was wrong. She was advised to rest at home and monitor her symptoms. The following morning, she called again with continued concerns and was given an appointment later that day rather than being directed to immediate evaluation.

By the time she was seen, her condition had worsened. Findings were consistent with ruptured membranes, but no physician examination was performed. The providers told her she would lose her baby but failed to be concerned about how sick the mom was and the cause of the rupture of membranes. Later that day, her husband brought her to the hospital, where it became clear that a serious infection had developed. The hospital told her she would lose her baby but again failed to recognize how sick the mom was.

The mom’s infection rapidly progressed to sepsis and septic shock. Sepsis protocols were not followed, specialty consultations were not obtained, and early warning signs were not acted upon. The delay in recognition and treatment resulted in catastrophic injury.

As a result of the infection, she suffered tissue death in her extremities, requiring multiple amputations. She also sustained kidney damage and lost her ability to have children. What began as a preventable condition became a life-altering injury due to delayed and inadequate care.

When the family contacted Paulson Coletti, our investigation identified systemic failures throughout her care. Calls were not appropriately triaged, testing was mishandled, and opportunities for early intervention were missed. Breakdowns in communication and oversight allowed a treatable condition to progress unchecked.

This case reflects a critical reality in sepsis malpractice: early recognition and prompt treatment are essential. Delays of even a few hours can have irreversible consequences.

At Paulson Coletti, we represent families harmed by preventable failures in recognizing and treating sepsis. These cases are about enforcing standards of care and holding providers accountable when delayed action leads to catastrophic injury.

Why Choose Our Portland Septic Shock Lawyer?

At Paulson Coletti Trial Attorneys PC, we have decades of experience handling complex injury claims throughout Oregon and Washington, and our goal is to secure justice for those who have been seriously harmed by others.
We handle sepsis claims on a contingency fee basis, which means clients never worry about paying legal fees until after we successfully recover compensation for their losses.
We firmly believe that the clients come first, which is why we are selective about our caseload. We want to make sure that you remain our focus as we work to recover compensation on your behalf.

Portland Septic Shock Attorney

Primary Causes of Sepsis

According to information available from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), we can see that approximately 1.7 million adults develop sepsis across the United States each year. Unfortunately, at least 350,000 adults who develop sepsis pass away during their hospitalization or are discharged to a Hospice facility. Information also shows that approximately one out of every three individuals who lose their lives in the hospital had sepsis during the hospitalization.

Sepsis is scary because anyone can get an infection, and an infection can lead to sepsis. Sepsis is actually the body’s response to a serious infection. This is considered a medical emergency. An initial infection can trigger a chain reaction of events throughout the body that often starts in the lungs, urinary tract, gastrointestinal tract, or the skin.

Without proper treatment, individuals with sepsis can rapidly deteriorate as a result of tissue damage and organ failure, and this ultimately will lead to death if not treated promptly.

Sepsis is not contagious, though an infection that causes sepsis could be contagious. Because sepsis is caused by infections, the causes of sepsis are all the same causes as any infection in individual may contract. Bacterial infections are the most common cause of sepsis, but sepsis can also be caused by viral infections or fungal infections.

Those most at risk of developing sepsis as a result of an infection include adults 65 and older, those with weakened immune systems, those with various types of chronic medical conditions (diabetes, lung disease, cancer), those with severe illnesses or those already in the hospital, and children younger than one.

What Are Symptoms of Sepsis and Septic Shock?

Sepsis generally has three stages, each progressively more dangerous than the previous. It is imperative that healthcare providers catch septic signs quickly to prevent further complications and damage. The three stages of the syndrome are sepsis, severe sepsis, and septic shock.

The symptoms of all three stages include:

Body temperature of over 101F or under 96.8F
Fast heart rate and breathing
Decreased urine output
Confusion, delirium, or change in mental status
Low blood pressure
Organ failure

Septic shock is the most dangerous level because this is when organs start failing. This can lead to severe internal damage and death.

What Are Common Forms of Malpractice in Cases of Sepsis?

Sepsis is a dangerous condition and doctors should be vigilant in checking for it. However, all too often, patients suffer because of negligence and medical malpractice.

Common errors include:

Not recognizing septic symptoms
Delay in diagnosis
Failure to promptly treat sepsis
Not providing proper care
Not considering patient’s medical history and record

These errors can have severe consequences. If left untreated, sepsis can lead to organ failure, amputation, or even death.

Types of Compensation Available for Victims

Individuals who contract sepsis may be able to recover compensation if the infection or sepsis was caused by the careless or negligent actions of medical providers. Medical malpractice claims are notoriously challenging to move forward with, and we strongly encourage you to reach out to a skilled Portland septic shock attorney as soon as possible.

When you work with a lawyer who has experience handling sepsis malpractice claims, you will have an advocate who can work with trusted medical experts to examine the facts of the case. An attorney will gather all of the evidence needed to prove liability, including medical records and statements from medical professionals.

Some of the main types of compensation available for a successful septic shock malpractice claim include coverage of:

All medical bills related to the septic shock treatment
Lost wages and loss of future earnings for the victim
Various household out-of-pocket expenses
Physical and emotional pain and suffering damages
Loss of quality of life damages