Meningitis Negligence Claims
A missed or delayed diagnosis of meningitis can have very serious consequences, and sometimes proves fatal. If you or someone you know have suffered from meningitis, and you feel medical professionals failed to spot the symptoms quickly enough, you may be eligible to make a claim for compensation.
The solicitors at JMW are experts in medical negligence claims related to brain and other serious injuries and can guide you through each step of your meningitis claim. We will provide all of the assistance you need to secure the compensation you deserve.
Choosing to claim compensation after you or a family member has been diagnosed with meningitis and received negligent care can be a vital step in helping you to manage the aftermath of this serious condition. JMW's meningitis claims specialists can discuss your case and help you to understand whether you are entitled to compensation. If we consider there to be a prospect of success, we can start the process on your behalf.
Contact us today for free initial advice on taking legal action. We know it may seem daunting to make a claim, but we are here to make the process as simple and straightforward as possible. Call us on 0345 872 6666, or fill in our online enquiry form and we will get back to you as soon as we can. We are able to offer services on a no win, no fee basis.
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How JMW Can Help
Making a claim for medical negligence related to meningitis requires solicitors who have specific training and experience to help you get the compensation you require.
JMW has one of the most respected clinical negligence teams in the UK, which is led by the highly regarded Eddie Jones. The team includes members of the Action against Medical Accidents (AvMA) solicitors panel and the Law Society's specialist panel of clinical negligence solicitors.
Here is what to expect from the clinical negligence claims process:
- Contact a member of our expert clinical negligence team to discuss the details of your case, so we can evaluate the strength of your claim.
- When we take on your meningitis medical negligence claim, our solicitors will gather medical records, expert reports and other relevant evidence to support your case.
- With all of the necessary supporting evidence in hand, we will notify a claim against the party responsible for the meningitis negligence, which will usually be the NHS trust or specific healthcare provider responsible for your care.
- Our expert medical negligence solicitors will negotiate a compensation amount with the opposing party. JMW’s aim will always be to reach a settlement out of court, to keep the process straightforward and secure your compensation as quickly as possible.
- If a fair settlement cannot be reached, we will begin court proceedings. Only a small minority of cases go to trial, and they may still settle outside of court before the first hearing.
We are happy to offer free initial advice and will deal with your enquiry without any obligation for you to take matters further. JMW can deal with many cases under a no win, no fee agreement, meaning you will not have to pay any legal fees if the case is not successful. This allows those who have been harmed to claim compensation with minimal financial risk.
Meet Our Team
JMW’s clinical negligence team offers expert advice and compassionate support for individuals affected by meningitis due to medical negligence, guiding you through the legal process and helping secure the compensation you deserve.
Case Studies
What Is Meningitis?
The term meningitis refers to an inflammation of the protective layers surrounding the brain and spinal cord - known as the meninges - that is caused by either a bacterial or viral infection. Bacterial meningitis is generally more serious than viral meningitis, and without appropriate antibiotic treatment can cause permanent and severe injury or death. However, incidences of bacterial meningitis are rapidly reducing due to the widespread use of the Hib and meningococcal vaccines.
The bacteria responsible for the condition reach the brain by spreading through the bloodstream from an initial site of infection, most commonly the nose or throat. Almost all cases of bacterial meningitis are caused by one of the following three bacteria: Haemophilus, meningococcus and pneumococcus.
Each of these is commonly found in the nose and throat of healthy people. For reasons that are not fully understood, they occasionally get into the bloodstream and, if the body’s own defences do not stop the infection at this point, septicaemia (blood poisoning) can occur. This is potentially very dangerous, and the toxins produced by the bacteria can do a great deal of damage to organs and tissues. If the infection reaches the brain, this causes meningitis, which can lead to lasting damage and even death if it is not diagnosed quickly enough and treated correctly.
What Are the Most Common Reasons for Making a Meningitis Claim?
Meningitis is a serious and life-threatening condition that must be treated swiftly and effectively to give the patient the best chance of a positive outcome. As such, if the condition is misdiagnosed or treated incorrectly, it can greatly increase the risk posed by the disease.
Meningitis negligence claims typically arise from a delay or failure in diagnosis, insufficient treatment, or mismanagement of the condition. Common reasons for claiming compensation include:
- A failure to recognise and respond to symptoms in a timely manner that resulted in the condition progressing or getting worse
- Incorrect diagnosis, leading to delayed treatment or the wrong treatment being provided
- A failure to administer appropriate treatment, such as antibiotics, meaning that the condition was not addressed properly.
- A lack of thorough follow-up care that leads to complications
- A failure to properly monitor meningitis in patients who are at high risk, such as pregnant women and newborn babies
- Mistakes in referring patients for suitable tests that result in the misdiagnosis of meningitis
Solicitors at JMW have represented many clients in making meningitis misdiagnosis claims and secure compensation for all of the above types of negligence. If any of these circumstances apply to your case, you may be able to claim compensation. Get in touch with our medical negligence lawyers today to discuss the specifics of your claim.
How Much Compensation Could I Claim for Meningitis Negligence?
The amount of compensation you could receive for meningitis misdiagnosis or negligent treatment will depend on a number of factors, including:
- The severity of any health problems you have as a consequence
- The impact on your quality of life
- The cost of any care and rehabilitation that you require
- Any additional losses incurred, such as loss of earnings
Compensation for meningitis negligence claims is divided into general damages, which cover the physical and emotional pain and suffering you experienced due to the clinical negligence you faced, and special damages, which cover your financial losses related to the incident.
What Are the Time Limits for Making Meningitis Claims?
To make a claim for meningitis negligence compensation, you have three years from the date of the incident, or from when you first became aware of the negligence. However, exceptions apply, especially for children and anyone who has a brain injury or condition that means they lack mental capacity. Children have until their 21st birthday to bring their claim to court, and those without mental capacity have no time limits applied to their claim. However, we always advise that the case is started as soon as possible.
Always consult with a solicitor as soon as possible to make sure that you do not miss any relevant deadlines and thereby lose the right to claim.
FAQs About Meningitis Claims
- What are the different types of meningitis?
Depending on the type of bacteria involved, meningitis can manifest as one of several distinct types of disease.
Meningococcal disease
Meningococcal disease is the most common form of bacterial meningitis in the UK, and is caused by the MenA, MenB, MenC, MenW and MenY bacteria. Depending on how the bacteria enter the body, it can cause multiple forms of infection: if the meninges are affected it leads to meningitis, while bacterial infections in the bloodstream can cause septicaemia, or blood poisoning.
Up to 10 per cent of meningococcal disease cases can result in death, and many of those who recover experience long-term after-effects.
Pneumococcal meningitis
Pneumococcal meningitis is caused by bacteria called streptococcus pneumoniae, with around 200 reported cases each year, most commonly affecting babies and young children.
Approximately 15 per cent of cases will result in death, and 25 per cent of survivors experience severe and disabling after-effects; however, vaccines are available in the routine UK immunisation schedule to help prevent this disease.
Hib meningitis
Hib meningitis is caused by Hib bacteria, which are also responsible for infections such as epiglottitis, septic arthritis, osteomyelitis, pericarditis, cellulitis, bronchitis and otitis media.
This disease can be fatal in around 3 per cent of cases, but a routine vaccine available as part of the Childhood Immunisation Programme for babies has been hugely successful in preventing it, reducing cases by 98 per cent.
Neonatal meningitis
Neonatal meningitis can occur in the first 28 days of life and be caused by many different types of organism, including group B streptococcal, E. coli and Listeria bacteria, as well as some viruses.
There are around 300 cases of neonatal bacterial meningitis each year in the UK and 10 to 12 per cent of these cases are fatal, while up to half lead to long-term after-effects.
TB meningitis
TB meningitis is caused by the Mycobacterium tuberculosis bacteria and is most likely to affect those living in poor conditions and people with other illnesses, such as HIV.
This infection begins in the lungs before progressing slowly into a form of meningitis. Between 15 per cent and 30 per cent of patients with this disease will die. Around 150 to 200 cases are reported each year in the UK.
- Who is at risk of meningitis?
Young children are at particular risk of meningitis because they have not encountered the bacteria before and will have no immunity to them. In the first days and weeks of life, when immune defences are immature, the risk of meningitis is higher than at any other age. However, at this age, the bacteria usually responsible are streptococcus B, E.coli and Listeria. These are all commonly found in the mother’s lower bowel and birth canal.
- How is meningitis diagnosed?
Meningitis is diagnosed using a combination of clinical examination and diagnostic tests aimed at confirming inflammation of the meninges and identifying the underlying cause. Typically, a physical examination is sufficient to show the symptoms of meningitis, at which point a blood test, CT scan or lumbar puncture may be performed to confirm the diagnosis.
For information about the tests involved in diagnosing meningitis, take a look at the NHS website.
- What are the symptoms of meningitis in babies and young children?
There are various symptoms of meningitis in babies and young children, and it is important to remember that not every baby will display every symptom. Common meningitis symptoms include:
- High fever, but with cold hands and feet
- Drowsiness and being unresponsive
- Rapid breathing or grunting
- Vomiting
- Unwillingness to feed
- Unwillingness to be picked up
- Blotchy skin and a red rash that does not fade when you roll a glass over it
- Seizures or convulsions
- Stiff neck
- A tender soft spot on the head
In young infants, it is often very hard to distinguish meningitis from other, less serious conditions. Part of the reason for this is that many of the telltale features of the disease are symptoms that must be reported by the patient, rather than visible signs. Also, vomiting in babies is so common that it is often not seen as significant.
As it is so difficult to diagnose in a young infant and because a delay in diagnosis can have such catastrophic effects, the possibility of meningitis should never be dismissed when a baby falls ill.
- What are the symptoms in older children, teenagers and adults?
As with the symptoms for babies and young children, these symptoms can appear in any order and may not affect every sufferer. They include:
- Fever, but with cold hands and feet
- Irritability and confusion
- Drowsiness
- Vomiting
- Distinctive rash
- Headaches
- Muscle pains
In more advanced cases, extreme drowsiness can progress to a coma. There may also be abdominal and muscle pain, as well as a rash. This rash consists of tiny red or brown pin-prick spots that do not fade when pressed firmly with a glass tumbler.
- What is the glass test?
In instances where a rash is present, the glass test can be used to check for a potential sign of meningitis. It is performed by pressing the side of a clear glass firmly against the skin. If the rash does not fade, this is a sign of meningococcal septicaemia. If this occurs, you should seek medical help immediately as it is considered a medical emergency.
Not everyone with meningitis will have this rash, and it may appear late or not at all. As such, you should always seek medical advice if meningitis is suspected.
- Can you treat meningitis?
Treatment for meningitis depends on the underlying cause and whether the disease is bacterial, viral, fungal or non-infectious, such as autoimmune or drug-induced. There are typically treatment options if action is taken when symptoms of meningitis develop, which may include administering antibiotics, steroids or antifungal treatment, or medications to manage inflammation and other symptoms.
If doctors fail to refer you for the appropriate diagnostic tests, there is a risk of meningitis misdiagnosis. This could leave doctors to administer the wrong treatment, or to leave the condition to get better on its own. If your health worsens as a result of any such circumstances, contact a solicitor at your earliest opportunity.
- What are the long-term effects of meningitis?
One of the most serious aspects of meningitis is the fact that many patients are left with long-term after-effects that can often be life-changing. Ongoing symptoms of meningitis that can persist over time include:
- Brain injury
- Deafness
- Learning difficulties
- Epilepsy
- Mood swings
- Vision problems
- Headaches
- Chronic tiredness
- Memory loss and concentration problems
Additionally, the toxins released during meningitis-related septicaemia can cause damage to blood vessels, resulting in additional after-effects such as:
- Skin and tissue damage
- Amputations
- Organ failure
As these serious complications can persist over time, prompt diagnosis is vital. The right meningitis treatment can significantly improve outcomes, whereas the wrong treatment can make the situation much worse.
At JMW, our meningitis negligence solicitors have a wealth of experience in clinical negligence claims and we can help to make sure the full effects of medical mistakes on your life are taken into account. We will fight to secure fair compensation in all medical negligence cases, to help you move forward with your life.
Talk to Us
To speak to a member of JMW’s medical negligence team about whether you can make a no win, no fee meningitis compensation claim, call us for free on 0345 872 6666, or complete our online enquiry form and we will get back to you.
