Chicago Trusted Sepsis Lawyer

Sepsis is a serious health problem that can happen when the body tries to fight an infection. It can be deadly if not treated quickly. Many people in Illinois suffer from sepsis because doctors or hospitals make mistakes. Sometimes, they send patients home too early. Other times, they don’t see the signs of infection in time.

At Chicago Injury Lawyer, we help people who were hurt because of these mistakes. We take cases across Illinois, including Rockford and Chicago. Our goal is to help you get answers and support.

What is Sepsis and Why is it Often Misdiagnosed?

Sepsis happens when your body reacts too strongly to an infection. It can cause damage to your organs. Some people lose limbs. Others may die. The early signs of sepsis can look like the flu or being tired after surgery.

Doctors might miss these signs. They may not do blood tests. They might wait too long to give medicine. These mistakes can be serious. A medical malpractice attorney can help find out if this happened to you.

When is a Doctor or Hospital Liable for Sepsis?

Doctors or hospitals can be blamed if they:

• Don’t find sepsis soon enough
• Don’t give the right medicine quickly
• Miss signs like high fever or fast heart rate
• Let a patient leave too soon
• Ignore signs of infection after surgery

To win a case, we show that a good doctor in the same situation would have done something different. We use expert doctors to prove this.

How Medical Negligence Causes Sepsis

Mistakes by doctors or hospitals can lead to sepsis. Medical Malpractice include missing signs of infection, using unclean tools during surgery, or not passing important information between staff. These problems often happen in busy hospitals and can be very dangerous.

Types of Sepsis Injuries

Sepsis can cause many health problems. These include septic shock, organ failure, amputations, and brain damage. Some people also suffer from post-sepsis syndrome, which makes it hard to return to normal life. If sepsis caused brain damage, you may also want to talk to a lawyer who understands brain injury cases.

Sepsis lawsuits often come from these types of mistakes:

1. Lab tests are not read right
2. Sick patients are not checked again
3. Infection tests are not done fully
4. Doctors and nurses do not share information during shift changes

These mistakes can cause serious harm or death. They are not just small errors.

What Compensation Can You Recover for a Sepsis Injury in Illinois?

If you or a loved one got hurt because of sepsis, you may be able to get money for:

1. Hospital and doctor bills
2. Care you will need later
3. Pain and sadness from what happened
4. Lost wages if you can’t work
5. Loss of a loved one’s support and love if they died

Why Choose Our Illinois Sepsis Malpractice Lawyers

We help people hurt by medical mistakes. We know how sepsis cases work. We have strong relationships with doctors who can help explain what went wrong. We take cases to court when needed and don’t charge any fees unless we win.

• We focus on infections and medical mistakes
• We know Illinois law and courts
• We work with top doctors to help your case
• We stay in touch and answer your questions
• You don’t pay unless we win your case

We’ve Helped Our Clients To Protect Their Rights: Hear From Them

What legal rights do I have if a hospital made a mistake that caused sepsis?

Illinois law says you can ask for money if your injury happened because of a preventable mistake. This could mean that a hospital or doctor did not act the way they were supposed to.

If they missed signs of infection or waited too long to treat you, the law may allow you to file a claim. Illinois has rules in the Code of Civil Procedure that protect patients when doctors or hospitals do not follow the proper standard of care. You can learn more by looking at the Illinois General Assembly’s medical malpractice laws, which explain your rights.

How Sepsis is Diagnosed and Treated in Hospitals

Hospitals use a set of guidelines to diagnose and treat sepsis quickly. These include checking for high heart rate, fever, low blood pressure, and lab signs of infection. Doctors may use tools like the “Sepsis-3” criteria and the Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) scores. Treatment usually starts with IV fluids and antibiotics within the first hour. If hospitals skip or delay these steps, it may be a sign of negligence. Learn more from the Surviving Sepsis Campaign guidelines.

Early Warning Signs of Sepsis Doctors Should Not Miss

Sepsis often starts with symptoms like a fast heartbeat, confusion, chills, fever, or very low body temperature. In hospitals and ERs, medical staff are trained to spot these signs. Missing these red flags can lead to serious injuries or death. Patients and families can refer to resources like the CDC Sepsis Education page to understand what should not be overlooked.

Can Sepsis After Surgery Be a Sign of Negligence?

Sepsis after surgery may happen due to poor infection control, contaminated instruments, or a lack of monitoring. If a surgical team fails to catch an infection early, or ignores symptoms, it may be medical malpractice. The American College of Surgeons sets quality guidelines that hospitals are expected to follow. Failing these standards can support a legal claim.

How Long Does a Sepsis Lawsuit Take in Illinois?

A sepsis-related lawsuit in Illinois typically takes 12 to 24 months, depending on how complex the case is. The process includes investigation, expert reviews, and possible court hearings. Illinois law under the Code of Civil Procedure sets deadlines (statutes of limitations) that impact how long you have to file.

What Evidence Do You Need for a Sepsis Claim?

To prove a sepsis claim, you need hospital records, lab results, notes from doctors and nurses, and expert opinions. This helps show what went wrong and how it caused harm. Cases are stronger when patients have detailed records and documentation. For a deeper look at the required proof, visit the National Institutes of Health on Medical Error Standards.

Frequently Asked Questions from Sepsis Misdiagnosis Victims