There has been a rise in compensation claims regarding “superbug” infections in recent years, mainly by hospital patients or nursing home residents who require day-to-day medical attention and assistance. Where medical services fall below professional standards, a patient can be left at risk of exposure to bacterial infection, with the term “superbug” alluding to certain bacteria that are resistant to treatment with common antibiotics.
In addition to recovery from infection, obtaining compensation for negligent medical practice can be a complex and difficult process. In most cases, a claim must be brought within three years from the date the infection was contracted. At Healys, a dedicated team of medical negligence solicitors, with many years’ combined experience, will ensure the recovery of both your health and financial compensation are achieved to the maximum extent possible.
There are three common types of superbug: MRSA (Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus), MSSA (Methicillin-Sensitive Staphylococcus Aureus), C. Difficile (Clostridium Difficile), in addition to a fourth less common type: Necrotising Fasciitis.
MRSA is an infection caused by a very common bacterium, staphylococcus aureus, known in short as “staph”. This bacterium is carried harmlessly on around 30% of the population, and cultivates primarily in a person’s nose and on their skin. However, if the bacteria come into contact with an open cut or wound, it can lead to conditions ranging from minor skin problems to more serious internal organ damage. While not typically life threatening, the bacteria are resistant to antibiotics, including methicillin, amoxicillin, penicillin and oxacillin, and are therefore difficult to treat once infection occurs.
MSSA is a strain of staphylococcus aureus that is susceptible to methicillin treatment.
MRSA and MSSA are spread through skin contact with someone who has the bacteria on their person, or through contact with objects, such as medical equipment, that have been exposed to the bacteria. People with compromised immune systems, such as hospital patients and nursing home residents, are particularly susceptible to infection.
Both MRSA and MSSA can be carried without symptoms, but either bacterium can be identified through screening prior to medical procedures being carried out. Screening can be as straightforward as obtaining a nasal swab for laboratory testing.
MRSA is treatable by administering specialised antibiotics. As its name provides, MSSA can be treated with methicillin.
Similar to MRSA and MSSA, C. Difficile is an infection caused by a very common bacterium, Clostridium Difficile, which primarily exists without symptoms in a person’s lower gastric system. The bacterium is spread through person-to-person contact, and is preventable through maintenance of personal hygiene and sterilising medical equipment.
Individuals at risk of infection include older persons, people suffering from certain types of cancer and those with inflammatory bowel disease. When a patient receives antibiotic treatment, this too can lead to infection, as the treatment can upset the natural balance of bacterial cultures in the human body.
The symptoms of C. Difficile include diarrhoea, fever, abdominal cramping, and in serious cases, blood can be found in a person’s stool. If left untreated, an infection may result in toxic megacolon or bowel perforation, with both developments being life threatening. An infection can be detected through obtaining a stool sample for laboratory testing.
The primary method of treatment for a C. Difficile infection is a targeted administration of antibiotics.
Comparatively less common than the above categories of superbug, Necrotising Fasciitis is a flesh eating bacterial infection that attacks the body’s soft tissues. It develops upon entering a cut or break in the skin, where the bacteria release a poisonous chemical that continually damages nearby tissue. Left unchecked, the surrounding tissue will die; an occurrence termed “tissue necrosis” or more commonly known as gangrene. Dead tissue cannot be repaired and must be surgically removed.
The symptoms of Necrotising Fasciitis include a heated rash at the site of infection, severe pain, fever, nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea. It is detectible through visible symptoms or tissue screening for the bacteria. If the infection has spread internally, an X-ray, CT scan or MRI may be required to determine what damage may have occurred.
Early detection of infection is paramount, as the longer the infection is left untreated the more likely that removal of large amounts of tissue, and in some case limbs or internal organs, will be necessary. A Necrotising Fasciitis infection can be treated through antibiotics, surgery and hyperbaric oxygen therapy. As with other types of superbug, the existence of bacteria is preventable through maintaining hygiene and sterilising equipment.
Doctors and healthcare professionals are subject to a legal duty to uphold patient safety and avoid preventable infections. Where standards of medical care have fallen short of this duty, resulting in a patient contracting any of the above infections and experiencing harm, financial compensation can be achieved by bringing a legal claim. Compensation can be awarded for:
In most cases, a patient will have three years from the date of treatment to bring legal action, and so it is important to seek legal advice as soon as symptoms of infection arise.
At Healys, our medical negligence specialists will advise as to whether you may have viable grounds for compensation. Bringing a claim against a healthcare provider, such as the NHS, can be a complicated and daunting process – and the same can be said for claims against a private or public care home. Our team members have an excellent track record of ensuring such claims achieve a satisfactory outcome. Although a legal process can take time, we take extra care in understanding our client’s experience, emotional concerns and what sort of redress they may be seeking, from the first point of contact through to the conclusion of their case.
Healys places clients’ health rehabilitation on equal footing with obtaining financial recovery. We provide not only specialised legal advice, upon visitation to our clients’ homes or hospital beds, but will additionally assist in securing funding for interim treatment. Furthermore, Healys operates on a “no win, no fee” basis, which alleviates our clients’ financial concerns and helps them focus on the road to recovery.
15th January 2021
Elderly victims of clinical negligence who are approaching the end of their lives may feel there is little point seeking justice. However, they also have their loved ones to think about and a High Court case in which a woman in her 80s received six-figure damages showed how important it is to obtain legal advice. Continue reading »
14th December 2020
Everyone has a right to expect that public services will function efficiently and, if you have been let down and suffered injury as a result, you should see a solicitor without delay. In a case on point, a woman who was traumatised by the late arrival of an ambulance after she fell seriously ill at home was awarded substantial damages. Continue reading »
23rd October 2020
Healys LLP has again been recognised as a leading firm in the latest edition of the Legal 500.
The Legal 500 directory provides comprehensive coverage on legal services providers in over 100 countries, with independent and unbiased commentary on the leading law firms.
This year Healys has been ranked in 4 practice areas, with 8 lawyers individually recommended. Continue reading »
Healys are pleased to note that 3 partners are to be ranked as leading individuals in the 2021 edition of leading legal directory Chambers & Partners. Continue reading »
3rd June 2020
3rd March 2021
During today’s Spring Budget announcement, the chancellor confirmed that he would boost support for home buyers through a mortgage guarantee.
Several major lenders including Natwest, Lloyds, Barclays, Santander and HSBC have agreed to provide 95% mortgages to home buyers in return for a government guarantee on those mortgages.
Low-deposit mortgage accessibility has declined since the pandemic started, which has made home-ownership unreachable for many. But the government hopes that these plans will give more people the support and opportunity to buy their own homes.
It was also announced that the Stamp Duty Land Tax holiday in England and Northern Ireland will be extended for purchases up to £500,000 until the 30th June, meaning home buyers avoid the stamp duty levy on purchases under that amount. After this date, the starting rate of Stamp Duty will be £250,000 until the end of September, before returning to the previous level of £125,000.
“In the end then the announcement was largely as anticipated, but for perhaps a few additional reveals here and there. In my view extending the SDLT holiday will provide a much needed crutch for the economy to rest its weight whilst its other limbs scramble for footing as we move out of lockdown. The tapering back of the SDLT thresholds is also an interesting development and one which I am in favour of. Suddenly stopping the SDLT holiday (whether at the end of March or the end of June) would have almost certainly lead to a shock to the market and to the economy as a whole. By delaying and then tapering back the SDLT limit (and introducing the 95% mortgages) the government clearly hopes to either stop that from happening completely or at least turn that cliff edge many have been talking about into a downward hill to an eventual (hopefully high) plateau. If property transactions do decline then by the time we all get to that plateau the economy will hopefully be ready to throw away its crutch and start running!
“In terms of the 95% mortgages, I think this is an excellent introduction, provided of course it is done safely. It will give many perfectly worthy potential homeowners the chance to achieve their dreams where previously they would have been priced out of the market. Much talk has been made of a lack of housing stock, but when has there ever been enough housing? Also, who says only the cash rich should be entitled to be homeowners? I think it helps provide a level playing field, and it is one that I am all for.”
Healys LLP are award winning conveyancing solicitors based in London, Brighton & Sussex. Our conveyancing solicitors have a vast amount of experience in property law and we deal with all aspects, including the purchases & sales of homes, freeholds, leaseholds, shared ownership schemes, remortgaging, lease extensions and more. For more legal updates or legal advice, please visit Healys LLP’s website.
2nd March 2021
26th February 2021
Generally speaking, forfeiture is the right for a landlord to terminate their leaseholder’s long lease where the leaseholder is in breach of covenant. Continue reading »
24th February 2021
It has been reported that Rishi Sunak is preparing to extend the Stamp Duty holiday by a further three months until the end of June. This extension is intended to keep the property market strong as the UK returns from lockdown. Continue reading »
19th February 2021
You may or may not be aware but most residential leases contain restrictions on the type of alterations you can do in your property. Continue reading »