Medical malpractice
Failure To Diagnose Meningitis
Meningitis can become dangerous very quickly. A person may go to the doctor with a fever, bad headache, stiff neck, or confusion. If the doctor misses the signs, the patient may not get the care they need. Left untreated, meningitis can have life-threatening consequences.
Our medical malpractice attorneys at Lopez McHugh LLP help patients and families hurt by medical mistakes. If a doctor failed to diagnose meningitis and the delay caused more harm, you may be able to file a medical malpractice claim in Pennsylvania.
What Is Meningitis?
Meningitis is swelling around the brain and spinal cord. Bacteria, viruses, fungi, and other health problems can cause it. Some types of meningitis are more dangerous than others.1 Bacterial meningitis can become life-threatening very quickly. Quick testing and treatment can be critical. There are several types of meningitis. They do not all require the same kind of treatment.
- Bacterial meningitis: This medical emergency can cause brain damage, hearing loss, seizures, or death. It often requires immediate antibiotic treatment.
- Viral meningitis: This type is often less serious, but it can still make a person very sick.
- Fungal meningitis: This type is less common. It may be more likely in people with weak immune systems.
Identifying the specific form and cause of meningitis is critical to effective treatment.
Signs of Meningitis Doctors Should Notice
The first signs of meningitis can look like the flu or a bad headache, which can be harder to catch. However, some symptoms should make a doctor consider meningitis. Some of these more distinct indicators may include:
- A high fever
- A severe headache
- A stiff or painful neck
- Nausea or vomiting
- Confusion
- Being very sleepy
- Trouble waking up
- Pain from bright lights
- Seizures
- A dark or unusual rash
Babies may have different signs.2 They may cry more than usual, refuse to eat, vomit, sleep excessively, or have a bulging soft spot on the head. If you or your child exhibited these symptoms and your physician failed to notice, it may be worth discussing your situation with a medical malpractice attorney.
How Doctors Test for Meningitis
Medical professionals should ask about the patient’s symptoms and health history. They should also do a careful exam. They may check for fever, a stiff neck, confusion, or other signs of infection.
Doctors may order blood tests if they suspect the patient may have meningitis. They may also perform a spinal tap, which takes a small amount of fluid from around the spinal cord. Testing this fluid can help doctors find an infection.
How a Medical Professional Can Miss Meningitis
An incorrect diagnosis does not always mean a doctor committed malpractice. Some illnesses are difficult to diagnose, but doctors still have a duty to provide proper care based on the signs they observe. A doctor may fail to diagnose meningitis by:
- Mistaking it for the flu, a migraine, or another illness
- Failing to perform a complete exam
- Failing to order necessary tests
- Ignoring a stiff neck, confusion, or other warning signs
- Failing to review test results
- Sending a sick patient home too soon
- Failing to observe a patient whose symptoms are getting worse
- Delaying treatment after meningitis is suspected
More than one healthcare provider may be responsible. This could include a doctor, a nurse, a hospital, or another medical worker.
What Can Happen When Treatment Is Delayed
Meningitis can cause serious harm if not treated promptly. The infection and swelling may damage the brain, nerves, and other parts of the body. Even a short delay can give the infection more time to spread, making treatment harder and increasing the risk of lasting harm. Possible problems include:
- Brain damage
- Hearing loss
- Vision loss
- Memory or learning problems
- Seizures
- Trouble walking or moving
- Balance problems
- Loss of a finger, toe, arm, or leg in some severe cases
- Permanent disability
- Death
Children may need care for many years after a serious case of meningitis. They may need therapy, special help at school, medical equipment, or help with daily tasks.
When Is a Missed Diagnosis Medical Malpractice?
A patient usually must show more than an incorrect diagnosis. They must show that the healthcare provider did not provide the level of care another reasonable provider would have.
The patient must also show that the mistake caused more harm. For example, suppose a doctor failed to order the necessary tests for clear signs of meningitis, causing the illness to worsen, leaving you with lasting side effects. You need to show that earlier care likely would have prevented or reduced these effects.
Medical experts often help with these cases. They can review the records and explain what the healthcare provider should have done.
Compensation May Be Available
A serious case of meningitis can affect a person’s health, work, and daily life. Families may also face extensive medical costs and the need for long-term care. Some patients may need help at home, special equipment, or ongoing doctor visits for the rest of their lives. A medical malpractice claim may seek compensation for:
- Medical bills
- Future medical care
- Therapy and rehabilitation
- Lost wages
- Loss of future income
- Pain and suffering
- Permanent disability
- Long-term care
- Losses caused by a wrongful death3
The amount of compensation available depends on the facts of each case, the severity of the injuries, and the strength of the evidence you can provide.
How Long Do You Have to File a Claim in Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania has time limits for medical malpractice cases.4 In many cases, you have two years to file a lawsuit. However, the deadline may vary depending on when the patient learned about the injury and what caused it.
Special rules may also apply to children and certain other cases. Because these deadlines can be confusing, speak with a medical malpractice lawyer who can review a possible claim as soon as possible.
Talk to Lopez McHugh LLP About a Missed Meningitis Diagnosis
A missed meningitis diagnosis can change a person’s life. The patient may be left with serious health problems that faster care could have prevented.
Lopez McHugh LLP can review the medical records, examine what happened, and work with medical experts. If a medical mistake caused serious harm, we can help the patient and family understand their legal options.
Sources:
1 https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/14600-meningitis”>https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/14600-meningitis
2 https://www.healthychildren.org/English/health-issues/conditions/head-neck-nervous-system/Pages/Meningitis.aspx”>https://www.healthychildren.org/English/health-issues/conditions/head-neck-nervous-system/Pages/Meningitis.aspx
3 https://www.legis.state.pa.us/WU01/LI/LI/CT/HTM/42/00.083.001.000..HTM”>https://www.legis.state.pa.us/WU01/LI/LI/CT/HTM/42/00.083.001.000..HTM
4 https://www.legis.state.pa.us/WU01/LI/LI/CT/HTM/42/00.055.024.000..HTM”>https://www.legis.state.pa.us/WU01/LI/LI/CT/HTM/42/00.055.024.000..HTM
