Results 1 to 8 of 8

Thread: Septicemia

  1. #1
    Gold Member Martinco's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2008
    Location
    Rustenburg
    Posts
    927
    Thanks
    175
    Thanked 136 Times in 108 Posts

    Septicemia

    A very traumatic time for me !

    A friend of mine had to have a relatively small op done on his shoulder to have a muscle defect rectified by an orthopedic surgeon in a local private hospital and in the process got infected with some virus/bacteria.
    This turned into septicemia and after about 3 weeks he died from infection.
    The operation was one of these non invasive operations where a few small holes were made in the shoulder area and the muscle repaired.
    He spent most of the time after the op in and out of ICU obviously running up a huge bill.
    Well to cut the story short, his wife is obviously in quite a state and I want to try to give her the best advice possible.
    This hospital used to be one of the better ones but as of late many reports have been made that it is in chaos and certainly not clean/sterile.

    Do you think that she might have a claim against a) the surgeon and b) the hospital by going through these attorneys claiming that they take up medical malpractice suits and work on a "no winn-no cost " basis. I do not think after this she has any funds left to sue the doctor and/or hospital on her own.
    To take a case like this to the Medical council imo. will not serve any purpose.
    Martin Coetzee
    Supplier of Stainless Steel Band and Buckle and various fastening systems. Steel, Plastic, Galvanized, PET and Poly woven.
    We solve your fastening problems.
    www.straptite.com

    You may never know what results will come from your actions, but if you do nothing, there will be no results... Rudy Malan 05/03/2011

  2. #2
    Site Caretaker Dave A's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2006
    Location
    Durban, South Africa
    Posts
    22,649
    Thanks
    3,305
    Thanked 2,676 Times in 2,257 Posts
    Blog Entries
    12
    Plain and simply shocking!

    Quote Originally Posted by Martinco View Post
    ...by going through these attorneys claiming that they take up medical malpractice suits and work on a "no winn-no cost " basis.
    Certainly worth a shot if she can't afford to hire a lawyer.

    I should think the action would be initiated against all parties and they'd have to try to get themselves removed as a defendant if they are able.

    I wouldn't dismiss approaching the Medical Council on this either. They wouldn't deal with the civil claim, but they do have to investigate and respond to the complaint, and any adverse finding or action by them would be of benefit to the complainant's civil action.

  3. #3
    Gold Member Martinco's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2008
    Location
    Rustenburg
    Posts
    927
    Thanks
    175
    Thanked 136 Times in 108 Posts
    Thank you Dave,

    Obviously as much info on this would be highly appreciated.
    Martin Coetzee
    Supplier of Stainless Steel Band and Buckle and various fastening systems. Steel, Plastic, Galvanized, PET and Poly woven.
    We solve your fastening problems.
    www.straptite.com

    You may never know what results will come from your actions, but if you do nothing, there will be no results... Rudy Malan 05/03/2011

  4. #4
    Diamond Member AndyD's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2010
    Location
    Cape Town
    Posts
    4,923
    Thanks
    576
    Thanked 934 Times in 755 Posts
    Sorry to hear about the death of your friend Martin. My condolences to yourself and his family.
    _______________________________________________

    _______________________________________________

  5. #5
    Gold Member Martinco's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2008
    Location
    Rustenburg
    Posts
    927
    Thanks
    175
    Thanked 136 Times in 108 Posts
    Thanks Andy....much appreciated.
    Martin Coetzee
    Supplier of Stainless Steel Band and Buckle and various fastening systems. Steel, Plastic, Galvanized, PET and Poly woven.
    We solve your fastening problems.
    www.straptite.com

    You may never know what results will come from your actions, but if you do nothing, there will be no results... Rudy Malan 05/03/2011

  6. #6
    Full Member
    Join Date
    Nov 2010
    Location
    Boskruin, Randburg
    Posts
    69
    Thanks
    3
    Thanked 11 Times in 10 Posts
    There are plenty lawyers who will take on this type of case, and take a cut of the payout

    http://www.personalinjury.co.za/cont...FcEJtAodkmmDyQ

  7. Thanks given for this post:

    Martinco (15-Jul-11)

  8. #7
    Email problem mother's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2011
    Location
    Northwest Province
    Posts
    333
    Thanks
    31
    Thanked 45 Times in 35 Posts
    Blog Entries
    2
    Martin, my sincere condolences. I can imagine what an horrific shock this must be. It is terrifying to think that a minor non-invasive procedure can go SO wrong!

    I know some surgeons who work in provincial hospitals, and the stories they have told me would leave you breathless! So absolutely yes, she must take legal action against every possible person/institution involved, because someone or something is definitely to blame here.

  9. #8
    Diamond Member
    Join Date
    Mar 2010
    Location
    Cape Town
    Posts
    6,329
    Thanks
    426
    Thanked 978 Times in 795 Posts
    Martin, I think the harsh reality is that there is nothing going to come of such an action. I do not believe that the doctor can be held responsible becauase he would attribute the infection to the hospital /theatre and not to any action on his part. (He walks in, does the operation using the hospitals equipmet and walks out) Secondly, when one signs all those papers to agree that the operation be performed within the hospital you are not only informed of the risks but I am also sure that you sign your rights away in case something like this happens. I am also sure that the doctor informed him of possible risks.

    Look it is sad that it happened but the reality is that things do go wrong with operations. The reasons are not always clear cut and one individual can't always be held responsible.

    Whether its right or wrong is not the issue, I think that doctors and hospitals cover their butts extremely well!

Did you like this article? Share it with your favourite social network.

Did you like this article? Share it with your favourite social network.

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •