Dawn Pinnisi
June 18, 2024
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infection is a bacterial infection that doesn’t usually get better with many antibiotics used to treat ordinary staph infections. MRSA infections are common in hospitalized people or residents in healthcare settings like nursing homes.
Since MRSA infections are difficult to treat, they often spread to other organs and may become life-threatening. The disease may affect your lungs, heart, bones, bloodstream, and joints.
A healthcare provider or a health institution may be liable for injury-related losses if their negligent actions contributed to the MRSA infection. Consider speaking to a New Jersey medical malpractice lawyer if you or a loved one has sustained an MRSA infection because of a negligent healthcare provider and know if you can sue a hospital.
What Are Typical Infections You Can Get in a Hospital?
Anyone admitted to a healthcare facility is at risk of developing hospital infections. However, some people are at a high risk of infections, including premature babies, very sick children, older adults, people with weak immune systems, and people with specific conditions, such as diabetes.
Here’s a list of common types of hospital-acquired infections:
- Staphylococcus Aureus: Staphylococcus Aureus occurs when the staph bacteria enter a surgical incision or another body part, leading to severe infections such as pneumonia.
- Enterococci: Enterococci is a bacteria that is a typical part of the digestive and female reproductive tract. It is not harmful but helps maintain good health when found in those locations. However, it can cause meningitis, wound infections, and intra-abdominal infections.
- Acinetobacter: Acinetobacter bacteria is naturally occurring in soils and water. While acinetobacter infection rarely occurs in hospital settings, it may occur in individuals already dealing with a severe illness that necessitates treatment in a critical care unit.
- Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococci (VRE): VRE is a form of enterococci that is resistant to Vancomycin treatment. When the VRE bacteria enters an incision or blood, it can rapidly cause a severe infection.
Is It Possible to Sue a Hospital for Infections like MRSA?
A health institution may be liable for a hospital-acquired infection when it fails to maintain reasonable safety standards acceptable in the medical industry. All hospitals are required to introduce best practices to prevent hospital-acquired infections.
For instance, health professionals encourage hospitals to use the following practices to prevent infections:
- Adhering to appropriate hygiene practices, e.g., sterilization of instruments and surfaces
- Protecting patients from other infected patients or infected hospital employees
- Advising patients, staff, and visitors on techniques to prevent transmission of infections
A hospital or a staff member may be liable if they neglect to do the following:
- Failure to maintain, repair, or replace a medical equipment
- Failure to obtain an informed consent during a surgical procedure
- Failure to treat a wound or infection adequately
- Fail to follow proper hygiene and sanitization standards during surgery and other procedures
Get In Touch With Us
How to File a Medical Malpractice Lawsuit?
Understanding the steps of filing a medical malpractice lawsuit is essential, but seeking legal representation is equally important.
An experienced malpractice law attorney can provide legal support during the process, protect your rights, and enhance your chances of obtaining a fair settlement value.
Here are the crucial steps of filing a medical malpractice lawsuit:
- Gather evidence related to your injury or infection
- Contact your insurance company and the hospital where you obtained treatment
- File a notice of intent against the healthcare provider or hospital
- File a complaint at the local court against the liable party(s)
- Participate in settlement negotiations
- Attend trial hearings
- Collect damages
What Would be the Compensation Damage for MRSA Infection?
You may be entitled to damages if you developed an MRSA infection because of the negligent actions of a healthcare provider or hospital. Injured victims obtain damages from the at-fault party to cater for injury-related losses.
Depending on the nature of the injury, you can recover three types of damages: economic, non-economic, and punitive.
Here are some damages you might obtain for an MRSA infection:
- Mental anguish and emotional distress
- Loss of wages because of missed work or reduced earning capacity
- Out-of-pocket expenses
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Medical expenses
Get Legal Assistance From an Experienced Medical Malpractice Attorney
You deserve compensation for medical expenses and other losses if you develop an infection because of a health provider’s negligence. A medical lawyer NJ can evaluate the extent of your illness and negotiate for a settlement value that matches your losses. Varcadipane & Pinnisi, P.C. is a team of highly personal injury attorneys in New Jersey with a proven track record of obtaining favorable outcomes for injured victims. Feel free to contact us to see how much money can you sue a hospital for an MRSA infection if liable.
Contact us online or at (201) 588-1500 for a free consultation.
Dawn M. Pinnisi
Dawn M. Pinnisi is a distinguished attorney with a track record of excellence in advocating for victims of injury and negligence. Dawn is a Founding Partner of the Firm, a member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum, and has been awarded by the National Trial Lawyers.
University: J.D. Brooklyn Law School
Bar Number: 33771999
Locations: New Jersey and New York.
Let Us Fight For You
Need Help? Contact us 24/7
Free Consultation (800) 616-2916New York & New Jersey Personal Injury & Litigation Lawyers