C. Diff Infections & Medical Malpractice

Talk to a Skilled Corpus Christi Medical Malpractice Lawyer

Medical malpractice law spans over a range of cases and conditions. Though the circumstances, injuries, and/or illnesses may differ, every successful medical malpractice case involves proven negligent behavior on the part of a doctor, nurse, or another medical care provider. In cases of Clostridium difficile (also referred to as C. diff) infection, the patient must prove that the infection was a direct result of a medical care provider’s negligence.

C. diff cases can be extremely complex. Involve a seasoned team of Corpus Christi medical malpractice lawyers by calling the Bandas Law Firm at (361) 238-2789. Your initial consultation is free!

Understanding C. Diff Infections

Clostridium difficile bacteria live and breed in small numbers in most people’s digestive tracts, along with over 1,000 other species of microorganisms, without causing damage or infection. Because other bacteria and microorganisms keep C. diff in check, a normal person with a healthy digestive tract is at incredibly low risk of developing an infection.

However, if other microorganisms and bacteria in your digestive tract are damaged or die off, C. diff may begin to reproduce at an unchecked rate. If this happens, you can expect to develop a C. diff infection, which can range in severity from mild digestive distress to life-threatening illness.

Symptoms of a C. diff infection may include:

• Persistent watery diarrhea
• Mild to severe abdominal pain and cramping
• Lack of appetite
• Fever
• Presence of blood or pus in stool
• Mild to severe weight loss

Some mild cases of C. diff infection may be treated with probiotics, such as yogurt or kefir, while more severe cases will need professional medical attention to avoid serious illness and/or death. It should be noted that C. diff infections – while they are not airborne – are contagious and can be passed from one host to another through contact with feces or other bodily fluids. C. diff is a very resilient bacteria and can survive on dry surfaces for long periods of time.

C. Diff Infection & Medical Malpractice

One of the most common causes of C. diff infection is the long-term use of antibiotics and broad-spectrum antibiotics in particular. Other risk factors include gastrointestinal tract surgery, a weakened immune system, chemotherapy, a previous history of C. diff infections, and/or advanced age.

The people who are most likely to suffer from severe C. diff infections are those who have been subject to long-term care at a hospital or other medical facility, especially if they were prescribed a broad-spectrum antibiotic over a prolonged period of time and/or if they were prescribed multiple antibiotics at once.

Simply suffering from a C. diff infection does not automatically prove that medical malpractice has occurred. However, doctors and other medical caregivers must be aware of the risks of prolonged antibiotic use, especially for senior patients and patients who need to stay in a medical facility for their care. If a doctor or other medical care provider does not take steps to reduce the risk of C. diff infection and/or fails to recognize, diagnose, and treat C. diff infection if it does occur, they should be held liable for the patient’s increased medical bills, pain and suffering, and other damages associated with the infection.

Contact a Medical Malpractice Team with 75 Years of Legal Experience

Like other medical malpractice cases, it is the obligation of the patient to prove that their medical providers acted negligently when treating them. Unfortunately, this can be a very difficult task if you are not familiar with medical malpractice law. However, with the help of a qualified Corpus Christi medical malpractice attorney at the Bandas Law Firm, you may be able to prove your case and gain the compensation you deserve.

If you believe that you or someone you love has suffered from a C. diff infection due to medical malpractice, please do not hesitate to contact the Bandas Law Firm at (361) 238-2789.