If you are dealing with necrotizing fasciitis in Florida, you may be wondering if medical negligence played a role in your condition. This devastating infection—sometimes called “flesh-eating disease”—can cause permanent tissue damage, disfigurement, and even death when not properly diagnosed and treated.
At The Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine, we work with clients across Florida who have suffered from necrotizing fasciitis due to healthcare provider negligence. Our Florida necrotizing fasciitis lawyers understand the physical, emotional, and financial challenges you’re facing.
We can help determine if you have grounds for a medical malpractice claim and guide you through each step of the legal process. Take back control of your life. Contact our Florida medical malpractice lawyers for a free consultation.
What Is Necrotizing Fasciitis?
Necrotizing fasciitis is a rare but life-threatening bacterial infection that attacks the body’s soft tissues and fascia—the connective tissue surrounding muscles, nerves, blood vessels, and fat. What makes this condition particularly dangerous is how rapidly it can progress, sometimes within hours of the initial infection.
The bacteria destroy tissue as they spread, leading to tissue death (necrosis). Without prompt medical intervention, the infection can quickly advance through the body, potentially resulting in sepsis, organ failure, and death.
The mortality rate for necrotizing fasciitis ranges from 25-35%, highlighting the critical nature of this condition. Even with appropriate treatment, many survivors face long-term consequences, including extensive scarring, loss of limbs, and disability.
Sometimes Caused by Medical Malpractice
Medical professionals have a duty to recognize the warning signs of this infection and take immediate action. Failure to diagnose and treat necrotizing fasciitis promptly can constitute medical negligence. Our personal injury lawyers in Florida can tell you if this is the case.
Common Causes And Risk Factors
Understanding how necrotizing fasciitis develops can help you determine if your infection resulted from medical negligence. While the infection can sometimes occur spontaneously, many cases involve identifiable risk factors that healthcare providers should monitor and address.
Several factors can increase your risk of developing necrotizing fasciitis:
- Recent surgery, especially abdominal procedures
- Cuts, scrapes, or wounds that break the skin barrier
- Injections, including insulin shots and IV drug use
- Blunt trauma that doesn’t break the skin but causes internal tissue damage
- Certain medical conditions like diabetes, cancer, or liver disease
The infection typically begins when bacteria enter the body through breaks in the skin. Group A Streptococcus is the most common cause, but other bacteria or combinations of bacteria can also trigger the infection.
Healthcare providers have a responsibility to follow proper sanitation protocols during medical procedures, thoroughly clean wounds, and monitor high-risk patients for signs of infection. When these standards of care aren’t met, patients can develop preventable cases of necrotizing fasciitis.
Recognizing The Warning Signs
Early detection of necrotizing fasciitis is crucial for effective treatment and improved outcomes. Healthcare providers should be able to identify the warning signs of this severe infection, particularly in patients with risk factors or recent procedures that could serve as entry points for bacteria.
The initial symptoms of necrotizing fasciitis often include:
- Intense pain that seems disproportionate to visible symptoms
- Swelling and redness that spreads rapidly
- Skin that feels warm to the touch
- Flu-like symptoms such as fever, fatigue, and general weakness
- Blisters or black spots on the skin
- Dizziness or confusion
What makes this condition particularly challenging to diagnose is that early symptoms may resemble less serious conditions like cellulitis or a pulled muscle. However, medical professionals should consider necrotizing fasciitis when patients present with severe pain that seems out of proportion to visible symptoms, especially if they have risk factors.
The time between initial infection and serious complications can be as short as 24 hours. This rapid progression means that delays in diagnosis and treatment can have devastating consequences, potentially transforming a treatable condition into a life-threatening emergency.
Treatment Options And Medical Standards
When necrotizing fasciitis is suspected or diagnosed, immediate and aggressive treatment is necessary to save life and limb. Healthcare providers must act swiftly according to established medical standards to prevent the infection from spreading and causing further damage.
The primary treatment for necrotizing fasciitis includes:
- Emergency surgical debridement to remove infected and dead tissue
- Intravenous antibiotics to fight the bacterial infection
- Supportive care such as fluids, pain management, and nutrition
- Hyperbaric oxygen therapy in some cases
- Reconstructive surgery after the infection is controlled
Surgical intervention is the cornerstone of treatment, often requiring multiple surgeries to remove all infected tissue. Delays in performing these procedures can allow the infection to spread, potentially necessitating more extensive tissue removal or amputation.
When treatment fails to meet these standards, patients may have grounds for medical malpractice claims. If you’ve been seriously injured or had a loved one die because of this condition, consider speaking with our Florida necrotizing fasciitis lawyers for advice.
Legal Rights For Necrotizing Fasciitis Victims
If you’ve suffered from necrotizing fasciitis due to medical negligence, you have legal rights that can help you receive compensation for your injuries and losses. Understanding these rights is essential for making informed decisions about your case.
In Florida, patients have the right to healthcare that meets established medical standards. This includes proper infection control practices, timely diagnosis, appropriate treatment, and adequate follow-up care. When healthcare providers fall short of these standards, resulting in necrotizing fasciitis or complications from the infection, they may be legally liable for the harm caused.
How Our Law Firm Helps Necrotizing Fasciitis Victims
At The Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine, we provide comprehensive legal representation for victims of necrotizing fasciitis caused by medical negligence. Our approach focuses on building strong cases while supporting you through every step of the legal process.
When you work with our firm, we handle all aspects of your case:
- Gathering and reviewing all relevant medical records
- Consulting with medical experts to establish the standard of care and how it was breached
- Documenting the full extent of your damages, including current and future medical expenses
- Negotiating with insurance companies and healthcare providers
- Preparing your case for trial if a fair settlement cannot be reached
Our attorneys work closely with qualified medical experts who can testify about proper infection control, diagnostic standards, and treatment protocols for this serious condition. If they believe your case has merit, we can proceed with a medical malpractice lawsuit.
Contact Our Necrotizing Fasciitis Lawyers in Florida
If you’ve suffered from necrotizing fasciitis due to possible medical negligence, you don’t have to face this challenge alone. Our experienced attorneys understand the devastating impact this infection can have on your life and are ready to help you seek justice and compensation.
The Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine has helped numerous Florida residents secure the compensation they deserve after medical errors. We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless we win your case.
Contact us today for a free, no-obligation consultation to discuss your situation. Our Florida necrotizing fasciitis attorneys will listen carefully to your story, answer your questions, and provide honest guidance about your legal options. Let us put our experience to work for you while you focus on healing.
We Can Help.
