Sepsis is responsible for more than 52,000 deaths a year in the UK (more than deaths from breast, bowel and prostate cancer combined) and more common than heart attacks.

Whilst there have been steps taken to reduce this toll, there are sadly still cases where diagnosis has been delayed or treatment has not been appropriate. The consequences of this can be devastating leading to organ failure, multiple amputations and death.

There are strict policies and protocols in place for medical staff to treat sepsis. All of the guidance, literature and research surrounding sepsis points to early diagnosis and treatment as being the key to a better outcome.

Every trust must take action to spot and treat sepsis with staff looking for it at an early stage in patients coming to A&Es, and those who are already on wards. Hospital staff must alert senior doctors if patients with suspected sepsis do not respond to treatment within an hour. Hospital teams should also take note of non-specific symptoms and concerns expressed by relatives and carers such as acute changes in behaviour.

If a hospital does not follow the guidance, which results in a delay in the patient receiving a diagnosis or treatment, then it may be possible to bring a claim for compensation.

We have specialist medical negligence solicitors, who are accredited by the specialist AvMA and law society panels, who can investigate your claim and help secure compensation.

The compensation awarded will be for the additional pain and suffering as a result of any substandard care, any past losses such as loss of earnings and also to cover any ongoing additional needs as a result of the negligence such as future loss of earnings, care, accommodation, aids and equipment.

If you believe you may have suffered as a result of negligence then Burnetts have specialist medical negligence solicitors, who are accredited by The Law Society and AvMA specialist clinical negligence panels, who can investigate your claim and help secure compensation.