Meningitis is an inflammation of the meninges, the fluid and membranes, that cover the brain and spinal cord. People of any age can get meningitis but it is most common in children under the age of one, with a second peak in adolescence. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends the meningococcal conjugate (MenACWY) vaccine for all children aged 11 to 18 years. Young children often develop ear infections. An improperly monitored ear infection can lead to bacterial meningitis which may cause deafness, brain damage or death.
If you or a family member has suffered injury from meningitis because of your doctor’s negligence or carelessness, you may be entitled to compensation. To find out more about your rights and how you may get compensation, you should speak with a Philadelphia meningitis attorney with experience securing compensation for clients like you. The team at Youman & Caputo has the experience you need at a time like this.
Let us put our skill and experience to work for you. If you want to speak with a medical malpractice lawyer about your meningitis case, call Youman & Caputo at (215) 302-1999 to schedule a free assessment of your case.
There are different causes of meningitis and identifying the cause is important in developing the appropriate course of treatment.
Bacterial meningitis is caused by bacteria. It occurs when bacteria enters the bloodstream and travels to the brain and spinal cord. In such an instance, our lawyers have experience with Philadelphia spinal cord injury lawsuits resulting from bacterial meningitis and are ready to represent you or your loved one.
It can also occur when bacteria directly contacts the meninges as a result of an ear infection, sinus infection, head injury, or surgery. Different types of bacteria can cause bacterial meningitis including E. coli, group B strep, listeria, haemophilus, pneumococcus, and meningococcus. Bacterial meningitis can spread from person to person or from infected foods and objects.
Viral meningitis is caused by viruses. Although it is more common than bacterial meningitis, viral meningitis is often less severe than bacterial meningitis. Most cases are caused by enteroviruses, the same type of viruses that cause colds, sore throats, cold sores, and viral conjunctivitis.
The most common symptoms of meningitis include:
Babies and young children may not exhibit the same symptoms. Doctors will look for other signs of meningitis and monitor them closely for these signs when they have a fever, ear ache, or loss of appetite.
Prompt diagnosis and treatment is critical to full recovery from meningitis. Delayed diagnosis can result in long-term disability or death. The longer a patient goes without treatment for meningitis, the greater their risk of permanent neurological injury. Some of the complications from poorly managed meningitis include:
There are diagnostic tests that help doctors make the diagnosis of meningitis. They include:
Treatment of meningitis will depend on the type of meningitis the patient has and can include antibiotics, corticosteroids, and anticonvulsants. When the type of meningitis is not identified correctly or is mistreated, you may be able to file a Philadelphia medical malpractice claim.
Doctors can and do make mistakes in recognizing the symptoms of, and in failing to quickly diagnose and treat meningitis. In some cases, unsterile conditions in healthcare facilities can result in meningitis. If you or a family member suffered injury from meningitis as a result of your doctor or health facility’s negligence, you may be entitled to financial compensation for your losses.
You should contact a Philadelphia meningitis attorney as soon as possible for an assessment of your case. At Youman & Caputo you can count on our experience. Your initial consultation is free, so call us today to schedule your free appointment.
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