Failure to Diagnose Meningitis

Doctor Malpractice Attorney Serving Dallas and North Texas

If you or a loved one has suffered bacterial (or spinal) meningitis and there was a delayed diagnosis, we may be able to help you obtain recovery for your loss. It's a tragic fact that sometimes doctors and hospitals fail to make the diagnosis of meningitis in time, or fail to treat it in time. When this happens, the results are terrible. Injuries may include brain damage, loss of hearing, amputations, or death.

What is Meningitis?

Meningitis is an inflammation of the lining of the brain. Meningitis is almost always caused by a bacterial or viral infection of the spinal fluid. The infection generally starts elsewhere, like the ears, sinuses or throat, and then spreads through the blood stream to the spinal fluid and the lining of the brain called the meninges. There are over 10,000 meningitis cases per year, and about two thirds are in children. Because of immature immune systems, babies from birth to two years old have the highest incidence rate, and some of the worst outcomes.

The bacterial form of meningitis is an extremely serious illness that requires immediate medical care. If not treated quickly, it can lead to death within hours or to permanent brain damage in about 30% of people.

Experienced Medical Malpractice Lawyers

Delayed diagnosis and treatment of bacterial meningitis constitutes medical malpractice, and it is the most common form of meningitis malpractice claim. Bacterial meningitis is caused by any one of several bacteria, including Group B strep (in newborns), Hemophilus influenza type b (in babies), meningococcus (mostly in young adults) and pneumococcus (the most common for adults). Together, these four bacteria account for over 80% of bacterial meningitis cases in the United States.

At Polewski & Associates our doctor malpractice lawyers are experienced in handling meningitis cases. We understand the science, the medicine, and the impact that this terrible disease has on families. If this tragedy has happened to you or a loved one, we can help.

Our Dallas meningitis malpractice attorneys are uniquely equipped to help you through this difficult time. When you work with Polewski & Associates, your case will be handled by a board certified medical malpractice trial specialist and an attorney who is also a licensed medical doctor. Very few law firms in the area have attorneys with this specialized background. The stakes are too high to trust your claim to a less experienced lawyer. Let Polewski & Associates fight for you.

Please contact our doctor malpractice lawyers today to schedule your free initial consultation. We serve clients in Dallas and throughout North Texas.