When you develop sepsis, getting timely medical care can be critical. Sepsis is your body’s extreme response to an infection and can quickly lead to organ failure or death.
If an Arizona medical provider fails to recognize signs of sepsis, your condition may worsen before you receive appropriate treatment. However, a delayed diagnosis does not automatically mean medical malpractice occurred.
When can a delayed sepsis diagnosis fall below the standard of care?
Arizona medical providers must meet the standard of care. This means acting as a reasonable provider with similar training would under similar circumstances.
Signs of sepsis can look like those of other conditions, so recognizing it may be difficult. Questions about the standard of care may arise when a provider fails to:
- Recognize signs of a worsening infection
- Order appropriate tests based on your symptoms
- Identify signs that organs are not working properly
- Provide timely treatment after identifying sepsis
Whether these actions fall below the standard of care depends on your symptoms and the circumstances of your treatment.
How does the delay affect a malpractice claim?
Under Arizona law, you generally must establish that the treatment you received did not satisfy the required medical standard and that the lapse resulted in harm. A diagnostic delay may matter if sepsis worsened and led to additional injuries that earlier care could have prevented.
If you certify that expert testimony is necessary, Arizona law generally requires you to provide a preliminary expert opinion affidavit with the initial case disclosures. This statement explains the expert’s qualifications, what the provider allegedly did or failed to do and how those actions contributed to your harm.
Arizona medical malpractice claims generally have a two-year filing deadline, although the discovery rule can affect when that period begins. Shorter deadlines may apply to claims involving public entities or employees.
When evaluating a possible delay, medical records can help show when you had symptoms, underwent testing, received a diagnosis and started treatment.
Getting answers after a delayed sepsis diagnosis
Serious harm from a delay in identifying sepsis can leave you with questions about whether earlier treatment could have changed the outcome. Reviewing when you received treatment and what medical decisions were made can help clarify what happened.
If a delayed sepsis diagnosis caused you serious harm or resulted in the loss of someone you love, Harris, Powers & Cunningham PLLC can review your situation and help you understand your legal options. Contact us online or call 602-910-6779 for a free consultation.