MRSA & hospital infection compensation claims

There are common types of hospital infections. These include:

• MRSA
• C.difficile

MRSA stands for Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus and commonly causes infections in wounds. It can also infect internal organs and is very dangerous for those with weakened immune systems such as babies, the elderly and those with other health conditions. The dangerous nature of MRSA which resists many antibiotics means it is often referred to as the ‘superbug'. 

C. difficile stands for Clostridium difficile and is a bacteria that can quickly spread between patients. This bacteria infects the bowel and can result in diarrhoea or severe bowel issues. 

Other common types of hospital infections include:

• CPE
• E.coli
• hospital-acquired pneumonia
• sepsis
• urinary tract infections
• cellulitis
• staphylococcal infection
• enterococcal infections
• acinetobacter infections

Hospital infections such as MRSA happen due to a lack of good hygiene practices such as:

• poor cleaning standards
• not covering open wounds
• not cleaning surfaces properly
• failing to screen patients for infections
• failing to clean wards adequately
• giving incorrect medication to treat an infection
• reusing medical equipment without sterilising it first
• people in A and E bringing bacteria in with them
• skin-to-skin contact

Hospital infections cause health problems which can be seen initially in the symptoms of an infection. These include:

• shortness of breath
• headaches
• fever
• vomiting
• diarrhoea

Potential health risks from contracting a hospital infection include severe bowel problems and infected internal organs.

The hospital is often responsible for hospital-acquired infections. They have a duty of care towards you and this includes providing an adequate standard of hygiene throughout all that they do. If they are negligent towards this and as a result, you contract a hospital infection, they may be at fault, which could entitle you to compensation.

Steps can be taken to prevent hospital infections. Generally speaking, these are to carry out good hygienic practices. This includes ensuring:

• correct handwashing by medical staff
• tools are clean 
• disposing of needles and other equipment correctly
• ensuing good post-surgery check ups so any infection is diagnosed quickly

If your injections were due to medical negligence, you may be able to claim compensation for hospital-acquired infections. The hospital has a duty of care towards you to ensure safe and hygienic practices and environment. If their care was negligent and this caused you to get a hospital infection, you might be able to make a compensation claim.

If you contract a hospital infection in a private hospital, you may still be able to take legal action against the private hospital for this. You could do this if you get a medical infection due to their inadequate level of care by making a medical negligence claim against them.

When you make a medical negligence compensation claim for hospital infection, you will need evidence to support your claim.   For example, you may need the:

• receipts relating to expenses resulting from the effects of the hospital infection
• copies of your medical records
• cctv footage
• witness statements from patients and hospital staff 
• payslips for loss of earnings
• travel receipts

When you make a compensation claim for MRSA or other hospital negligence, the amount of compensation you get can vary depending on numerous factors. Naturally, the more severe the effect of the hospital infection, the more compensation you will receive. This is because it is likely to have caused more physical pain and suffering and had a greater effect on your life, such as on your family.

However, to give you an idea of how much compensation you may be able to claim, in some instances, a minor infection can range from £750-£3100 and a very serious hospital infection causing long-term symptoms such as bowel problems can be as much as 29,000 to £40,000.

If you are unfortunate enough to suffer from a hospital infection, you could make a compensation claim as a result of medical negligence. With National Accident Helpline, you can claim on a no win no no fee basis.

A no-win-no-fee medical negligence compensation claim takes away the risk of a compensation claim. In the unlikely event that your hospital infection was not due to medical negligence, you have lost nothing. When you make a no win no fee claim with us your personal injury lawyer will take out insurance on your behalf that will cover all your claim costs and expenses including medical report fees, court fees and any barrister fees; so long as you comply with their terms and conditions, you won't have to pay any costs upfront, and there are no hidden surprises.

To start a hospital-acquired infection compensation claim with National Accident Helpline is really simple. We like to ensure that after the horrible experience you have had with a hospital infection that forms now onwards things are completely stress-free for you.  So, call us today on . If it is easier, then start the process online here.  

We also understand you may be initially curious about how much compensation we at National Accident Helpline can help you claim. That's why we provide a  compensation calculator here to give you an idea. 

To start your medical negligence compensation claim, all you have to do is chat with one of our helpful advisors. Our advisors receive special training and sympathise with the effects medical negligence has on an individual like you. After listening attentively to your situation, they pass your case to our expert medical negligence solicitors to fully complete your claim.  

If you suffered a hospital infection as a result of medical negligence, you may be due compensation. Call National Accident helpline today on or you can request a call back here. If it is more convenient, you can begin your claim online and start making your compensation claim today!