Claiming for Hospital Acquired Infections

Types of Hospital or Healthcare Associated Infections

Hospital acquired infection or healthcare associated infection is an infection that is contracted from the environment or staff of a healthcare facility. These infections can be spread in hospitals, nursing homes, rehabilitation facilities or other healthcare settings. In order to bring a claim for contracting a hospital or healthcare acquired infection it is necessary to prove that the patient did not suffer from this infection before admittance and that the patient was not themselves incubating the infection before admission to the healthcare facility.

The majority of infections that become evident 48 hours after hospitalisation are generally considered to be hospital acquired infections. Infections that occur after discharge from hospital may be considered health care associated if the organisms causing the infection were acquired while the patient was in hospital.

Bringing a Claim against a Hospital

Where a claim is being brought against a hospital it will be based on the allegation that there was a lack of hygiene in the hospital by staff members or a failure of procedures to prevent infection. It is also possible to show that once the patient had acquired the infection it wasn’t properly diagnosed or treated. After taking detailed instructions regarding the nature of the infection that the patient has developed, how it was treated and what the health consequences were, Synnott Lawline will take up all medical records relating to treatment received while in hospital and have these records reviewed by an independent medical expert in order to ascertain whether the patient has a statable claim for a hospital acquired infection.

In some cases the independent medical expert may be in a position to pin point how and where the infection was acquired. If this expert believes that the infection was preventable then Synnott Lawline Solicitors will be in a position to draft a letter of claim and initiate proceedings on your behalf. For further information relating to hospital acquired infections and whether or not you are eligible to claim contact one of our specialist solicitors today on Locall 1850 20 40 60 or fill out the call back form. We will provide you with information and advice over the phone and explain the process of making your claim.