Meningitis Attorneys
If you or a loved one have suffered injuries from a delayed diagnosis of meningitis, our spinal meningitis lawyers may be able to recover money for you.
What is meningitis?
Meningitis, commonly called spinal meningitis, is an an inflammation of the lining of the brain. Meningitis is almost always caused by a bacterial or viral infection of the spinal fluid (which is why the disease is called spinal meningitis). The infection generally starts elsewhere, like the ears, sinuses or throat, and then spreads through the blood stream to the spinal fluid and the lining of the brain called the meninges. Meningitis can cause many severe injuries including, shock, brain damage and death. There are over 10,000 cases per year and about 2/3 are in children. Because of immature immune systems, babies from birth to two years old have the highest incidence rate, and some of the worst outcomes.
Bacterial meningitis: The bacterial form of meningitis is an extremely serious illness that requires immediate medical care. If not treated quickly, it can lead to death within hours or to permanent brain damage in about 30% of people. Delayed diagnosis and treatment of a bacterial meningitis is the most common form of meningitis malpractice claim. Bacterial meningitis is caused by any one of several bacteria, including Group B strep (in newborns), Hemophilus influenzae type b (in babies), meningococcus (mostly in young adults) and pneumococcus (the most common for adults). Together, these four bacteria account for over 80% of bacterial meningitis cases in the U.S.
Viral meningitis: Though more common, people with viral meningitis are much less likely to have permanent brain damage. Also, because antibiotics cannot treat viral meningitis, very few malpractice cases involve viral meningitis. Viral meningitis is usually relatively mild. It clears up within a week or two without specific treatment. Viral meningitis is also called aseptic meningitis.
Have you or a loved one been diagnosed with meningitis? Please describe your situation - we will analyze it for free and tell you if you have a case.
Our Experience Counts
Recent Recoveries for Our Clients
$1.7 MILLION recovery for a 6-hour delay in starting antibiotics in a newborn suffering from Group B strep meningitis.
$1.2 MILLION recovery against an Emergency Room for failing to diagnosis meningoccocemia meningitis in a 2-year-old.
$575,000 recovery for causing the need for a VP shunt in a 5-year-old child inadequately treated for meningitis
What are the symptoms of meningitis and how is it diagnosed?
Meningitis can present in many ways. Sometimes it is a slowly progressing disease. Other times, it can strike in hours. Especially in children under two years old, a doctor must be very careful and maintain a high degree of suspicion. Fever can be an important sign. However, it is also not very specific. Many diseases create a fever and sometimes meningitis presents without a fever. Blood tests may help the diagnosis. Also, symptoms may include drowsiness, confusion, headaches, or vomiting. Meningitis can cause seizures. It can cause irritability, and a lack of appetite. In young babies, the soft spot on the top of the head may become hard and bulge out. After the first year or so, it can also create a stiff neck. Confusion may be present in older children.
If there is a suspicion of meningitis, a spinal tap is needed to test the spinal fluid for signs of infection.
How is meningitis treated?
For bacterial meningitis, treatment requires the rapid administration of high-powered antibiotics. Time is of the essence. Generally, oral antibiotics are not strong enough to be effective, but may cause the symptoms to be less pronounced and the course of the disease to be somewhat slower. Advanced bacterial meningitis can lead to brain damage, coma, and death. Survivors can suffer long-term complications, including hearing loss, mental retardation, paralysis, and seizures.
What are the key legal issues?
- Was there undue delay before giving the proper antibiotics?
- Even if there was an undue delay, did it make a difference in the outcome?
Resolution of these two key questions generally requires the careful review of the patient's medical records by one or more qualified medical specialists.
Seeking Legal Advice?
The Ohio meningitis diagnosis delay attorneys at Goren, Goren & Harris, P.C. have years of experience dealing with medical malpractice issues, and has recovered substantial amounts of money for people whose doctors failed to treat symptoms of meningitis properly.
Do you have more questions? Would you like to discuss your situation with us? Visit our "Free Consultation" page or fill out the form on the right. We can help.
