Philadelphia Failure to Diagnose Meningitis Attorney

Meningitis can be fatal without proper diagnosis and treatment. Sadly, many doctors have contributed to the worsened conditions, injuries, and deaths of patients due to failure to diagnose meningitis. If you’re experiencing a failure to diagnose meningitis case, come to the Law Firm of Anapol Weiss for trustworthy legal advice.

Our attorneys offer free consultations and have over forty years of experience handling medical malpractice claims. Meningitis is an infection and inflammation of the meninges, or the membranes and fluids surrounding the brain and spinal cord. Meningitis affects about 10,000 people every year, most of which are children under the age of 5. Children are the most at risk of meningitis due to undeveloped immune systems.

Causes and Symptoms of Meningitis

Meningitis stems from a bacteria or virus that infects the fluid and membranes surrounding the brain and spine. Bacterial meningitis is rare, but it can be fatal. There are certain species of bacteria that manifest as meningitis through coughing or kissing. Children, people with weak immune systems, and those without access to vaccines are at the highest risk of bacterial meningitis.

Viral meningitis is more common and rarely life-threatening. However, it can still cause persistent fatigue, headaches, and depression. Viral meningitis spreads from poor hygiene, coughing, and sneezing. Both types of meningitis display similar symptoms. Common signs of meningitis include:

  • Chills
  • Confusion
  • Drowsiness
  • Fever
  • Headache
  • Joint pain
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Seizures
  • Sensitivity to light
  • Stiff neck

In children, meningitis can cause a high-pitched cry, pale and blotchy skin, loss of appetite, arching back, and difficulty waking. Meningitis affects patients differently. Some may exhibit all symptoms, while others just one or two. It is up to your doctor to recognize the symptoms of meningitis and narrow down the diagnosis to this disease rather than a number of other illnesses with similar symptoms.

Acceptable Standards of Care Regarding Meningitis Diagnoses

During a meningitis diagnosis, a doctor should conduct a complete medical history and physical exam. If the exam shows one or more signs of meningitis, the doctor should order one or more tests. Acceptable tests for this disease include blood tests, spinal tap, and a CT scan. A spinal tap involves a needle inserted into the lower back to test the cerebral spinal fluid for infection or other issues. A CT scan may show signs of a problem within the meninges.

The earlier treatment begins, the better the outcome. Failure to diagnose meningitis can lead to an inflammatory response, deafness, brain damage, seizure disorders, and death. If you or a love one suffered these damages from failure to diagnose meningitis and believe a timely diagnosis would have prevented them, you may have grounds for a medical malpractice claim in Philadelphia.

Doctors may be guilty of medical malpractice if they fail to see the patient when requested, fail to act with the appropriate degree of urgency, fail to examine the patient properly, fail to order the proper tests, or misinterpret test results. If you aren’t sure about the cause of your meningitis-related harms, speak to an attorney. A lawyer in Philadelphia can investigate your situation and help assign fault if applicable.

When to Contact a Failure to Diagnose Meningitis Lawyer

If a patient suffers damages such as personal injury, hospital bills, or wrongful death due to failure to diagnose meningitis, the patient or his/her family may be able to bring a lawsuit against the negligent doctor in the hopes of receiving compensation. With Anapol Weiss, a medical malpractice claim doesn’t have to be difficult or strenuous.

Our capable team will take care of all paperwork and red tape for you. We’ll even take over communications with insurance companies and debt collectors if desired. Our goal is to help you and your family sort through a failure to diagnose situation and get the most for your troubles. To learn more about your specific situation, call (866) 735-2792 or contact us online.