Sepsis Negligence Claims
Sepsis is a potentially life-threatening condition caused when the body’s immune system is triggered by an infection and it attacks its own tissues and organs. Sepsis is a medical emergency requiring rapid diagnosis and treatment to avoid progression to severe sepsis, septic shock organ failure and death. You may be entitled to compensation if your sepsis has been misdiagnosed or not diagnosed quickly enough.

The Sepsis Alliance describes sepsis as the immune system triggering reactions including inflammation which can result in decreased blood pressure, reducing blood supply to vital organs and starving them of oxygen. Groups who are at higher risk of contracting infections are at higher risk of developing sepsis e.g. the very young, the very old, those with chronic illnesses, those with a weakened or impaired immune system and those who are malnourished.
The UK Sepsis Trust states that because there is no single sign or symptom of sepsis, the presentation of adults and children must be carefully considered.
Symptoms of sepsis in adults include:
- Slurred speech or confusion
- Extreme shivering or muscle pain
- Passing no urine (in a day)
- Severe breathlessness
- Skin mottled or discoloured
Symptoms of sepsis in children include:
- Being cold to touch
- Mottled/bluish appearance, or very pale skin
- Rash than does not fade when pressed
- Rapid breathing
- Convulsions
- Lethargy
- Loss of appetite (under 5 years old)
- Vomiting repeatedly (under 5 years old)
- No urination in 12 hours (under 5 years old)
It follows that because there is no single symptom of sepsis in adults or children, there is no single test to diagnose sepsis and there is no single treatment for sepsis.
Diagnosis is achieved by considering the presenting symptoms, the patient’s past and recent medical history and the results of a wide range of tests including blood, urine, x-ray, CT scan, and MRI scan.
If sepsis is diagnosed or suspected, broad spectrum antibiotics should be administered to target the infection and intravenous fluids should be given to maintain blood pressure and organ function.
The UK Sepsis Trust advocates the use of the Sepsis Six approach for suspected sepsis cases within one hour of admission to hospital which includes:
- Giving oxygen to keep oxygen saturation above 94%
- Taking blood cultures
- Giving IV antibiotics
- Giving a fluid challenge
- Checking full blood count and measuring lactate
- Measuring urine output
As a consequence of increased awareness and training, the vast majority of patients presenting with signs and symptoms of sepsis are diagnosed and receive appropriate treatment in a timely manner. However, we still see examples misdiagnosis and delayed diagnosis and treatment of sepsis which lead to significant long term physical and psychological problems.
If you have experienced a misdiagnosis of sepsis of delayed diagnosis and treatment of sepsis and you have suffered injury and loss as a result, you should contact our specialist medical negligence team for further advice on your claim.