You do not expect to get sicker while hospitalized or leave a health care facility in worse shape than when you arrived, but hospital acquired infection is a serious problem in the US. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports on hospital infection rates, and the data indicates that 1 in 31 people suffers from a healthcare-acquired infection (HAI). Every year, there are around 687,000 patients who suffer from these complications, while up to 72,000 individuals die while in the hospital because of infection.

The CDC also points out that hospital infection is preventable and typically only occurs because of negligence by health care providers. In such a situation, you may have rights under New York medical malpractice laws. Our team at Poltielov Law Firm P.C. will advise you on options and assist in obtaining compensation for your losses, so please contact us to set up a free consultation. A New York hospital infection lawyer can explain how the laws work, but a summary is useful.

Basics on Hospital Acquired Infection

An HAI is an ailment caused by exposure to bacteria, a virus, or other contaminant that occurs while a patient is hospitalized. The most common sources are surgical departments, the ER, and ICU, though infection can also arise in nursing homes and long-term care facilities. Most hospital infections can be prevented through proper sanitation measures, including thorough cleaning of hands, surgical instruments, catheters, needles, linens, and other materials that come into contact with patients.

When a patient acquires an infection in the heath care setting, the consequences can be devastating. Most will require longer periods of hospitalization, and there can be long-term health implications. HAI can also be fatal, such as when the patient develops life-threatening sepsis from an infection.

Common Hospital Infections

When health care facilities do not undertake proper sanitation procedures, a patient may develop:

  • MRSA, a staph infection that is resistant to antibiotics;
  • Central-line associated bloodstream infections (CLABSI);
  • Pneumonia from failure to sterilize a ventilator;
  • Surgical site infections;
  • C. diff. infection in the colon;
  • Urinary tract infection, often from unclean catheters; and,
  • Many other forms of hospital infection.

HAI Could Indicate Medical Malpractice

An infection may be the result of the failure to comply with the applicable medical standard of care, a sign of medical malpractice. You may have grounds for a claim, and our New York HAI attorneys at Poltielov Law Firm P.C. will tackle all legal requirements to get the monetary damages you deserve. It is possible to recover amounts for:

  • Medical costs to treat the infection and associated ailments;
  • Lost income;
  • Pain and suffering;
  • Emotional anguish; and,
  • Other losses that impact your quality of life.

Discuss Your Rights with a New York Hospital Infection Lawyer

It is helpful to understand how medical malpractice laws work, but you will need experienced representation to pursue your claim and obtain fair compensation. For additional information, please contact Poltielov Law Firm P.C., or call us now at 718-880-2911 so we can schedule a no-cost case review with a New York healthcare-acquired infection attorney who can advise you on details.