Charleston Sepsis Lawsuit Attorneys

West Virginia Law Firm seeks damages for prison negligence leading to bacterial infection 

Prisons are often dirty places. With inmates sharing close quarters, infections are common and medical care is often lacking, intensifying the risk of untreated sepsis. At Calwell Luce diTrapano PLLC, our Charleston sepsis lawyers are accomplished litigators with substantial experience handling claims involving medical malpractice and prisoner mistreatment. This makes us uniquely qualified to seek justice for incarcerated individuals who have contracted sepsis due to unsafe prison practices.

What is sepsis?

Our bodies are conditioned to fight infections. However, when someone’s immune system works too hard to combat a bacterial, viral or fungal infection, they could wind up with a serious or even fatal case of sepsis. This occurs because chemicals released to protect the body can wind up stopping blood flow. Initial symptoms, such as fever, pain or nausea, might seem like signs of a less serious illness. However, prompt treatment is critical. Necessary steps might include antibiotics to attack the infection, fluids to maintain blood pressure and medications to support organ function. Without timely intervention, the symptoms could get much worse. Sepsis victims sometimes suffer strokes or massive organ failure, both of which can be deadly.

How prison conditions increase the risk of sepsis

Inmates at a prison are especially susceptible to sepsis. Overcrowding, shared showers and inadequate hygiene all increase the possibility of infection. Not only are prisoners at a heightened risk of contracting sepsis, but research shows that they nearly three times as likely to die of the condition as someone who is not incarcerated. This can often be traced to lack of prompt, effective medical care. Often, penal institution medical staffs lack the manpower or resources required to treat a large inmate population. Danger might also be enhanced by guards who ignore medical complaints because they believe a prisoner is lying. 

Signs and symptoms of sepsis

Prison officials should always be aware of the possibility that such signs as mental disorientation, shallow breathing and intense infection symptoms might indicate that an inmate has contracted sepsis and needs immediate care. Depending on the type of infection and where it attacks the body, sepsis can present itself in different ways, so it should not be ruled out until a doctor conducts a thorough examination. 

Legal rights of inmates regarding medical care

The Eighth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution as well as laws in states around the country guarantee prisoners the right to timely medical care from a licensed professional. Denial of treatment can never be used as a punishment or disciplinary tactic. Failure to provide proper healthcare to someone who contracts an illness or who is injured while incarcerated can be grounds for a lawsuit against the public or private organization that operates the prison, as well as the state or federal corrections authority. 

Filing a lawsuit for sepsis-related negligence

If you’re looking to file a lawsuit against a jail or prison, the first thing you should do is find an attorney who has successfully litigated medical negligence claims against correctional institutions. Even when prison authorities are not forthcoming, our firm’s experience in this field helps us get to the truth. Working with medical experts, we can develop a well-supported argument as to how negligence on the part of corrections officials and employees caused or worsened an inmate’s sepsis condition. From there, we work to secure appropriate compensation from the liable parties. This may include damages for medical treatment, pain and suffering, emotional distress or even wrongful death. 

Contact a knowledgeable lawyer regarding a prison sepsis lawsuit

If you or a family member contracted sepsis while in prison, Calwell Luce diTrapano PLLC in Charleston, West Virginia can analyze the facts, outline your legal options and initiate litigation against the negligent individuals and institutions. For a consultation, please call 304-400-6558 or contact us online.