Meningitis Misdiagnosis Compensation Claims

Meningitis is a medical emergency and should be treated as such. Failure to diagnose and treat meningitis can put individuals at risk of life-threatening conditions such as irreversible brain damage. Patients who are victims of negligence resulting in meningitis can initiate meningitis compensation claims.

Have you suffered terribly due to the negligent act of a healthcare provider whom you trusted to care for you? Our medical negligence experts may be able to help you. Complete our Free Assessment form if you would like to speak to a member of our team or call us on 0800 644 4240.

Also find detailed steps involved in starting meningitis misdiagnosis claims within this article 

Meningitis Explained

Meningitis is an infection that inflames the meninges (the membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord). Since these membranes serve the function of protecting the brain and spinal cord; infections, if not properly diagnosed and treated, can lead to severe brain damage. 

Meningitis is broadly classified into three types:

• Viral meningitis 
• Bacterial meningitis 
• Fungal meningitis

Viral meningitis caused by viruses such as herpes virus could be transmitted from person to person either through coughing, sneezing or any form of contact. Although the effects of viral meningitis are less serious than bacterial meningitis, viral meningitis requires prompt diagnosis and treatment. 

Bacterial meningitis on the other hand is caused by bacterial infection. It is potentially more life-threatening and results in fatal consequences when compared to viral meningitis. 

Fungal meningitis, the third type of meningitis, is quite rare and occurs when a fungal disease enters the body and then spreads to the brain or spinal cord. The most vulnerable individuals affected by fungal meningitis are people with weakened immune systems and babies born premature.

Due to the discrepancies in the types of meningitis, it is important for medical professionals to investigate and carry out tests in order to ascertain the root cause of the condition in order to be able to treat it correctly. 

Symptoms of meningitis

Sometimes it is difficult to recognize meningitis symptoms. This is in part due to the fact that it can progress without showing symptoms and also because in its early outset, symptoms can resemble “flu-like” symptoms. 

However, some of the symptoms that are associated with meningitis include:

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• High temperature
• Cold hands and feet
• Headache
• Fast breathing
• Confusion
• Spots or Rash 
• A stiff neck
• Muscle and joint pain
• Discomfort when looking at bright lights
• Drowsiness
• Seizures

If you are experiencing any of the above symptoms, it is important to seek medical attention quickly. Medical negligence in this regard or failure to diagnose meningitis should not be taken lightly. You can claim meningitis misdiagnosis compensation claims if your doctor has missed diagnosing your condition and has caused you suffering.

Is meningitis treatable?

Yes, meningitis is treatable. However, the type of treatment administered will depend on the cause/type of meningitis. If meningitis is suspected, necessary tests should be carried out to confirm the diagnosis. This may include a physical examination, a lumbar puncture, clear glass test for meningitis, CT scan of the head, blood culture analysis, and a chest x-ray.

Viral meningitis may resolve on its own and get better without antibiotic treatment. However, in some cases, a doctor may try to treat the infection with intravenous antiviral medications.

Generally, upon suspicion of meningitis, antibiotics may be recommended but in bacterial meningitis cases, controlled monitoring in hospital is required. Some of the treatment for bacterial meningitis includes:

• Antibiotics
• Acetaminophen
• Corticosteroids
• Oxygen therapy
• Blood tests
• Fluid control
• Anticonvulsants

Meningitis recovery time is usually a few days if detected and treated early. According to the NHS, most people with viral meningitis will recover within 7 to 10 days. However, in severe cases, patients may spend weeks in the hospital. 

If your doctor has failed or acted negligently resulting in meningitis misdiagnosis, our medical negligence experts can help you start your meningitis misdiagnosis compensation claims today.

Making a Claim for Meningitis Misdiagnosis 

Meningitis is one disease that has been known to affect both the old and the young, but majorly younger children and teenagers are always at a higher risk. Although a recent data on the number of meningitis cases in the UK, from the Public Health England (PHE) shows a 12% decrease in the cases of invasive meningococcal disease (a leading cause of bacterial meningitis) due to social distancing and lockdown measures as part of covid 19 mitigation across the UK; meningitis misdiagnosis claims are still being reported. 

Why should you make Meningitis Compensation Claims?

A person can suffer very life-altering consequences within a blink of an eye if a more serious bacterial meningitis is dismissed or wrongly diagnosed as a viral illness. Meningitis compensation claims act as a form of soft-landing for affected victims of meningitis that has occurred as a result of the negligent act of their healthcare provider, hospital or even the NHS.

Steps in making Meningitis Compensation Claims

The law allows you the right to seek compensation for medical negligence claims. However, to establish grounds for successful meningitis compensation claims, you will need to prove beyond every reasonable doubt that the undue pain and suffering you are going through is as a result of negligence. Find our step by step process below:

• Initial contact This is the first step to take in making any medical negligence claims is to get in contact with medical negligence experts. You can fill out our free claims assessment form or call us on 0800 644 4240. Our specialist will listen to you and assess your case to know whether it is likely to be a successful one. 
• Funding Usually our meningitis solicitors recommend a no win no fee funding option to our clients upon confirmation that your case is worth a claim. 
• Establishing case Our solicitors will obtain all relevant evidence from you including a complete set of your medical records, witness statements and any other receipts that show that the treatment or misdiagnosis was a breach of duty and that such act caused you harm. 
• Presenting a case to the defendant 
  A letter of claim is issued to the defendant together with supportive evidence. Defendant has about 4 months to respond to the letter. If the defendant admits liability through his response, offers will be made with regards to settlement value.  
• Maximum CompensationOnce a compensation value has been agreed upon by both parties, you will then receive your payment.

On rare occasions, if the defendant denies liability and decides to contest your claim; or in situations where a value for settlement cannot be reached, the next line of action is to involve the court. Our expert meningitis solicitors will be with you throughout the process and ensure that you are awarded maximum value for your meningitis compensation claims.

How much is my Meningitis Compensation Claims worth?

It is difficult to confirm the exact worth of any claim. This is because no two medical negligence cases are the same and a number of factors come to play when compensation values are calculated. 

If you have suffered both extreme physical (for example in a case of meningitis limb loss) and psychological injuries or one that has permanently affected the quality of your life, you may require long term support & care, equipment and rehabilitation throughout your lifetime. In a case like this, compensation values are usually higher. 

Our solicitors can provide you with an estimate to help you determine whether what your claim is worth your time. Contact us today and we will use our medical negligence claim calculator to obtain these figures.

No Win No Fee Meningitis Compensation Claims

A “No win, No fee” agreement otherwise known as a conditional agreement is a funding option that avert the risks of incurring huge financial burdens, should a claim go unsuccessful. With a No Win No Fee, anyone can make meningitis negligence compensation claims. You will only be asked to cover your legal cost upon successful award of compensation. 

If the medical professional in charge of caring for you fails to identify or treat your case, they have acted negligently and may have to face the legal consequences of their actions. Reach out today and our misdiagnosis claims solicitors will assist you on a No win No fee. 

How our Meningitis Solicitors can help?

We understand that you may have to make certain unplanned adjustments if you have been a victim of meningitis misdiagnosis. More than that, we are aware of the financial implications these situations may present. This is why we are committed to helping victims who are seeking justice, to get the compensation that they deserve.  

We’ll be on hand to offer you support every step of the way. Using our expert skills and insights our meningitis negligence claim solicitors will help you build the best possible chance of success. We will represent you at any level and even in court if necessary. 

Ready to get started?

Act now and act quickly! While it is important that you are able to obtain compensation for your pain and suffering, it is equally important for you to bring your claim as soon as possible as there are strict time limits for making all forms of medical misdiagnosis claims. Contact us today to discuss your options!

Can you claim compensation for misdiagnosis?

Yes you can claim compensation for misdiagnosis if your health has been impacted as a result of the medical mistake. It is vital that you consider legal action as compensations could go a long way to cover for the much needed support and financial losses incurred.

However you are more likely to have solid grounds for legal action if you have evidence to back up your claim. If you’re not sure about your case and if it’s worth a claim, feel free to contact us and we can talk through whether we believe you have a case. Our misdiagnosis claims solicitors are willing and ready to offer legal advice to you and support you in every aspect of your claim. 

How do you prove misdiagnosis?

To prove misdiagnosis, a patient must be able to show that;

• Their doctor or healthcare provider acted negligently towards care given to them
• The negligent act was a breach of duty owed to them
• A doctor in a similar specialty would not have misdiagnosed the illness or injury. 
• The mistake has caused them avoidable pain and suffering

Medical negligence experts in this regard, will investigate, gather evidence in order to establish a solid case for victims of misdiagnosis.

How is meningitis contracted?

Meningitis can be contracted through the spread of the viruses and bacteria that causes the infection. This could happen in one of the following ways; sneezing, coughing or kissing. The people who carry these viruses in their throat or nose may not be ill themselves but act as hosts of the viruses or bacteria.