Failure to Diagnose Meningitis

Information About Meningitis

Meningitis (which is often referred to as spinal meningitis) is a serious infection of a person’s spinal cord fluid as well as the fluids surrounding a person’s brain. Most often, the disease is spread in either bacterial or viral form. Statistics compiled by the Centers for Disease Control suggest that one out of every 10 cases of spinal meningitis caused by bacteria are fatal. Survivors of meningitis can have long term injuries including brain damage, kidney disease, loss of hearing, and loss of limbs. While the condition’s severity can vary greatly, it is essential that people with meningitis obtain prompt medical attention. As a result, people who are impacted by medical misdiagnosis often find it essential to obtain the assistance of a skilled medical malpractice attorney who will fight for the compensation that they deserve.

At Risk Populations for Meningitis

There are some people who are more at risk of Meningitis than others. College students and students who live in dormitories tend to be a particularly high risk group. Other examples of high risk groups include people who recently moved to a new geographic area, passive or active smokers, and those sharing beverages or eating utensils.

Understanding Bacterial and Viral Meningitis

Viral meningitis often results in less severe conditions than bacterial meningitis. Bacterial meningitis, however, can be very serious and usually results in conditions like brain damages, hearing loss, and even death when not properly treated in a timely manner. Bacterial meningitis can also result from exposure to a variety of bacteria including group b strep bacteria in newborns, hemophilus influenza type B bacteria in infants, meningococcus bacteria, and pneumococcus bacteria.

Symptoms Associated with Meningitis

In many cases, it takes a month and sometimes even longer before the first signs of meningitis arise. Some of the most common symptoms associated with meningitis include the following:

The Risk of Meningitis

Meningitis often creates flu-like symptoms in a person, which is why it is helpful to obtain an examination from a knowledgeable physician. If left untreated, bacterial meningitis can result in some very serious complications including coma, loss of hearing, mental retardation, paralysis, permanent brain damage, seizures, and death. If provided proper antibiotics in a timely manner, the disease is often treatable.

Contact a Medical Malpractice Attorney Today

If you have experienced serious injuries caused by a physician’s failure to diagnose meningitis or properly treat the condition, you should not hesitate to file a medical malpractice action. The Law Offices of Gerald J. Noonan has significant experience helping the victims of medical malpractice cases obtain the compensation they deserve. We will tirelessly pursue compensation for various costs that might have arisen due to a medical misdiagnosis claim including lost wages, medical bills, and emotional suffering. Speak with an attorney at our law office today to schedule an initial consultation during which time we will discuss your various options.

We offer a free, no-obligation legal consultation to help you understand your rights and the value of your case.

Our medical malpractice trial lawyers assist clients throughout all of Massachusetts including, but not limited to, those in the following counties, cities and towns: Plymouth County, Brockton, Plymouth, Bridgewater, Marshfield, Hingham, Duxbury, Wareham, Abington, Rockland, Whitman, Hanson, Holbrook, Middleborough; Norfolk County including Quincy, Stoughton, Dedham, Weymouth, Braintree, Avon, Holbrook, Randolph, Canton, Sharon, Brookline, Franklin; Bristol County including New Bedford, Fall River, Taunton, Attleboro, Westport, Dartmouth, Mansfield, Easton, Raynham, Lakeville, Norton; Cape Cod, Hyannis, Falmouth, Barnstable and the Greater Boston area including Cambridge, Somerville, Medford, Everett, Lawrence, Lynn, Revere, Dorchester, Roxbury.