A Practical Guide to Claims involving Sepsis and Meningitis

Sepsis is a life-threatening complication of infection which requires rapid treatment and management. Untreated, it can lead to multi-organ failure and death. There are approximately 250,000 cases of sepsis in the UK each year, leading to at least 46,000 deaths. There has been a growing appreciation within the medical community of sepsis, and new guidelines were published in 2016. Claims relating to sepsis often involve failure to monitor observations, failure to comply with the relevant guidelines, or failures in multi-disciplinary communication. Causation is almost invariably in issue.

Meningitis is a very serious disease. It can occur with or without septicaemia (blood poisoning) and may result in permanent brain and nerve damage. Even patients who are treated quickly can be left with hearing loss, recurrent seizures, and may require amputations. If not treated quickly, meningitis can be fatal. Claims often involve difficult causation issues.

This book will give an overview of the medical background, including an overview of signs, symptoms, treatment and outcomes. It will explore the issues on breach and causation that often arise, and will provide practical guidance for practitioners.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Isaac Hogarth is a barrister at 12 King’s Bench Walk, specialising in clinical negligence and personal injury law. Isaac has a special interest in claims involving sepsis and meningitis. His experience includes appearing for bereaved families at inquests where the deceased has died from sepsis in a hospital setting. He has also given seminars on sepsis and meningitis claims.

Before coming to the Bar, Isaac worked in the clinical negligence department of a leading firm of solicitors. He is married to a paediatrician.