Can You Sue a Nursing Home for Sepsis?
Understanding Legal Options for Nursing Home Sepsis Cases
Watching a loved one suffer from sepsis in a nursing home is devastating. Sepsis is a life-threatening condition that can develop rapidly when infections go untreated, leading to organ failure and even death.
Families trust nursing homes to provide proper care, but when a facility fails to follow sepsis protocols, the consequences can be fatal. If negligence played a role in your loved one’s sepsis diagnosis, you may have grounds for a nursing home sepsis lawsuit to hold the facility accountable. At Hal Walman & Associates, our Pittsburgh attorneys can help your family navigate the legal process and fight for the justice your loved one deserves.
How Does Sepsis Develop in Nursing Homes?
Sepsis is the body’s extreme response to an infection, often triggered when bacteria enter the bloodstream due to untreated wounds, pneumonia, or urinary tract infections. Nursing home residents are particularly vulnerable to sepsis because many have weakened immune systems, chronic conditions, or limited mobility.
Poor hygiene and neglect are leading contributors to sepsis cases in long-term care facilities. When staff fail to monitor a resident’s health or overlook early signs of infection, sepsis can escalate rapidly.
Common sources of infection include bedsores, untreated respiratory infections, surgical wounds, and catheter-related complications. In many cases, sepsis in nursing homes is preventable with proper medical attention, routine monitoring, and adherence to strict infection control protocols.
When Is Sepsis Considered Nursing Home Neglect?
Not every case of sepsis results from negligence, but when a facility’s actions—or inactions—cause a preventable infection to worsen, the nursing home may be liable. Neglect occurs when staff ignore symptoms, delay medical treatment, or fail to maintain sanitary conditions that help prevent infection. A resident who develops sepsis due to an untreated pressure ulcer, poor wound care, or malnutrition may be a victim of nursing home neglect.
Sepsis-related neglect often stems from understaffing, lack of proper training, or caregivers failing to follow sepsis protocols. When residents are left unattended for long periods, infections can go unnoticed until it’s too late. In these cases, families have the right to pursue legal action.
Who Can Be Held Liable in a Nursing Home Sepsis Lawsuit?
Several parties may be responsible when a resident develops sepsis in a nursing home due to negligence:
- The nursing home facility – If understaffing, poor infection control, or lack of proper medical intervention led to sepsis, the facility may be held accountable.
- Individual caregivers or nurses – If a staff member ignored a resident’s worsening symptoms or failed to provide necessary care, they may be liable.
- Third-party medical providers – Some nursing homes contract outside physicians or healthcare services. If a doctor misdiagnosed or delayed treatment, they could be responsible.
- Pharmaceutical providers – If a pharmacy or medical supplier provided contaminated medication or defective medical equipment that caused an infection, they may be included in the lawsuit.
How to Report a Nursing Home for Sepsis Neglect
If you suspect a loved one’s sepsis diagnosis resulted from negligence, taking immediate action is critical. First, ensure they receive proper medical attention. Hospitalization is often necessary to manage sepsis, and prompt treatment can save lives. Once your loved one is stable, begin documenting any signs of neglect. Photographs of unsanitary conditions, medical records, and witness statements from staff or other residents can help build a strong case.
You can also file a complaint with Pennsylvania’s Department of Health or the Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program. These agencies investigate nursing home neglect allegations and can impose penalties on facilities that violate care standards. However, reporting the issue does not guarantee justice. To pursue full accountability and financial compensation, consulting a nursing home neglect lawyer is often the most effective course of action.
The Nursing Home Sepsis Lawsuit Process
A nursing home sepsis lawsuit typically follows these steps:
- Case Investigation – Your attorney will gather medical records, speak with witnesses, and analyze nursing home policies.
- Filing the Lawsuit – The case is officially filed against the negligent facility, caregivers, or third parties.
- Discovery Phase – Both sides exchange evidence, including medical expert opinions on whether negligence led to sepsis.
- Settlement Negotiations – Many cases settle before trial, with compensation negotiated based on medical costs, pain and suffering, and wrongful death damages.
- Trial (if necessary) – If a fair settlement isn’t reached, the case goes to court, where a jury determines liability and compensation.
What is the Average Settlement for a Nursing Home Sepsis Lawsuit?
Compensation in sepsis lawsuits varies depending on the severity of the condition, level of neglect, and impact on the victim’s life. Moderate cases where sepsis was treatable but caused significant suffering may settle for $250,000 to $500,000.
More severe cases involving organ failure or permanent disability often result in settlements between $750,000 and $1.5 million.
Wrongful death claims due to sepsis-related neglect can exceed $2 million, especially when evidence shows a facility repeatedly ignored safety protocols.
Let Hal Waldman & Associates Fight For the Justice Your Family Deserves
At Hal Waldman & Associates, we fight for families who have suffered due to nursing home neglect. Our Pittsburgh nursing home abuse lawyers understand the devastating impact of sepsis and are committed to holding negligent facilities accountable.
If your loved one developed sepsis due to poor care in a Pennsylvania nursing home, you don’t have to fight alone. We can help you seek justice and pursue the compensation your family deserves. Contact us today for a free consultation.
“My experience with the team at Waldman & Associates was wonderful. Very knowledgeable, informative, and proactive. I highly recommend their services.” — Christal O., ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
