The complications associated with necrotising fasciitis can have a devastating impact upon someone’s ability to work.
Effects of necrotising fasciitis
Necrotising fasciitis does have a high morbidity rate. If a patient does survive, it is likely he/she will spend a significant amount of time in hospital, much of it on the Intensive Care Unit or the High Dependency Unit.
Once discharged from hospital, someone who has overcome necrotising fasciitis will ordinarily be quite frail, both physically and psychologically. Furthermore, there may permanent side-effects of the illness which the patient must come to terms with.
For example, it is not unusual for necrotising fasciitis to result in an amputation or a loss of function. For instance, if the infection attacks the bowel or rectum, the individual in question may no longer have a fully functioning digestive system, meaning he/she must be fashioned with an ileostomy or colostomy.
Necrotising fasciitis can also result in extensive scarring and tissue wounds, both of which can lead to ongoing pain and fatigue.
Working after necrotising fasciitis
These complications can have a detrimental effect upon a person’s ability to work. Consequently necrotising fasciitis patients may find they are not able to meet the same work commitments as before they became ill. Alternatively the individual in question may find he/she is so physically handicapped that employment is simply impossible.
Evidently this will be very distressing for those concerned, particularly if the necrotising fasciitis patient has dependants (such as a spouse or children) who are reliant upon their income. Indeed, necrotising fasciitis can cause terrible financial difficulties, and the shortfall may not be covered by state benefits.
Financial help after necrotising fasciitis
If you are struggling to make ends meet after surviving necrotising fasciitis, you need to consider what options are available to you. One possible solution is to make a medical negligence claim for compensation.
You will be able to make a claim if your injuries occurred as a result of substandard medical care. Normally necrotising fasciitis claims happen because doctors failed to diagnose and/or treat the condition promptly. This means the infection will continue to spread and infect an increasing area of tissue. The patient will then require extensive tissue debridement, will face a longer recovery time and will have significant scarring. All of these things could have been avoided, had treatment been provided at an earlier stage.
If you suspect your necrotising fasciitis was not treated promptly by medical practitioners, you need to talk to a solicitor about making a claim. This will ensure you are properly compensated for the pain and suffering you have endured, and will recover all the money you have lost as a result – including your past and future earnings.
To find out more, please get in touch with us today.
Free, No Obligation Enquiry
Call us now on 0800 234 3300 (or from a mobile 01275 334030) or complete our Free Online Enquiry.
