Atlanta Hospital Infection Attorney

Did You Contract an Infection During Your Stay at the Hospital?

Hospitals are a breeding ground for infectious germs and airborne illness. If hospitals do not stay on top of cleanliness, or there staff is negligent in any way, then you as the patient could be at risk of infection. The hospital staff is responsible for keeping a sterile environment so that patients are safe from harm. However, there are times when they fail to uphold this responsibility and the patients suffer as a result. If you or someone you know has fallen victim to a hospital infection let us help you hold the negligent party responsible for their actions.

This form of medical malpractice is much too common and when it causes illness or even death, legal action can be pursued to obtain justice, effect change and receive financial compensation for costs associated with the infection as well as pain and suffering. If you have lost a child or a loved one from such an event, we understand that no amount of money will alleviate your grief. There is an amount relief that can be obtained from seeking justice. Our firm has helped many over nearly two decades to achieve justice for those who have been wronged.

Hospital Infection Statistics

In 2007 the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that an astounding 1.7 million healthcare-associated infections and deaths had occurred. Out of those, 0.5 million occurred in intensive care units, high-risk nurseries and well-baby nurseries where you would expect the highest of standards in cleanliness. To break this down even further, approximately 1 in 20 patients could contract a hospital infection.

Common Causes for Hospital Infections

An infection can be contracted for a wide variety of reasons. In the hospital, patients may already have low immune systems, which make them susceptible to germs and bacteria.

Aside from that, there are a few other major contributing factors including:

• Hospital staff forgetting to wash their hands
• The spread of waterborne microorganisms
• Hospital staff using dirty and unsterile surgical instruments
• Hospital staff not using double gloves while in surgery
• Hospital staff not cleaning and disinfecting areas where there was a blood spill or bodily fluid
• Hospital staff not handling or disposing of needles, waste, blood, or body fluid properly

In short, any time that hospital personnel stray away from proper cleaning and disinfecting protocol, their actions could be seen as negligent.

Types of Hospital Infections

There are a number of different infections that you as a patient could be vulnerable to during your stay at the hospital.

The most common types of hospital infections that we hear of at the firm include:

• Acineobacter
• Burkholderia cepacia
• Clostridium Sordelli
• Hepatitis
• HIV/AIDS
• Influenza (the flu)
• Klebsiella
• MRSA
• Mycobacterium abcessus
• Norovirus
• Tuberculosis

Need a Medical Malpractice Attorney in Atlanta?

Hospital infections can act aggressively in the body and are often resistant to the antibiotics used to treat them. The most common types of infection received are a staph infection or MRSA, which is a particularly resistant form of staph. Once infected, it can be difficult to treat, causing a great deal of discomfort, further illness and treatment and sometimes death. If you or a person you love came out of a hospital with an infection that you did not have when you went in, then you may have received this from unsanitary conditions in the hospital. Aggressive legal action may bring you some financial relief from the medical costs of dealing with your condition. Speak with an attorney at The Tolson Firm, LLC today to schedule your free initial consultation and find out how we can help you.