MRSA & Hospital Infection Claims

Hospital infections claims have become a contentious issue in recent years and have received a great deal of media interest.

If you or a loved one have contracted MRSA after a recent stay, you may be entitled to claim compensation. To learn more or to start your claim, get in touch with our expert team on 0333 358 3034 or contact us online. 

Hospital-Acquired Infection Claims Types

The press uses the term ‘superbugs’ when referring to hospital-acquired infections and you may hear them called ‘health-care associated infections’ in medical circles. Both these labels cover the following types of infection:

• MRSA (Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus)
• Clostridium Difficile
• MSSA

These diseases do exist outside the confines of a hospital but pose a greater threat within it because of the prevalence of open wounds and susceptible patients.

When you are ill or weak, you are more likely to have a weakened immune system. This puts you more at risk for contracting MRSA or another kind of hospital infection.

The bacterium is most commonly passed from one person to another by the hands or infected hospital equipment.

Possible reasons for making a hospital infection claim

• A delayed diagnosis of a superbug
• A delay treating the infection
• A poor level of hygiene within the hospital
• Being operated on when an infection is present

NHS staff and other healthcare providers receive strict guidelines on how to contain and prevent MRSA infections. For instance, they are required to maintain strict levels of hygiene at all times. They must wash their hands thoroughly using alcohol-based gel and regularly clean medical equipment and surfaces with appropriate sanitiser. If they do not follow these guidelines and a patient becomes infected, a potential MRSA compensation claim may arise.

However, the most common types of hospital infection claims are those that arise following inappropriate treatment or failed diagnosis. It can be difficult to identify where the infection was first contracted because it is possible that a patient had it before they were admitted to hospital.

Making your hospital infection claim

If contracted, diseases such as MRSA can have serious consequences and in some cases, are fatal. Even in less severe cases, infections can lengthen an individual’s stay in hospital meaning that they need to take a longer period off work. This can result in a loss of earnings, and cause financial strain for them and their family.

While it is possible to claim compensation after contracting a hospital infection, success can be limited. This is mainly because of the difficulty in determining how the infection originated.

Contact us about your hospital infection claim today

To learn more and to discuss your potential claim in confidence, contact our team on 0333 358 3034. Alternatively, complete our online contact form to arrange an initial no-obligation telephone consultation with a member of our expert team.