Little Rock Hospital-Acquired Infections Lawyers
Skilled legal help when you develop an HAI in Arkansas
When you go to the hospital, you expect to get better, not worse. But sometimes, patients end up with infections they didn’t have when they arrived. These are called hospital-acquired infections (HAIs), and they can be serious, even life-threatening. At Greer Injury Lawyers, PLLC, we help people in Little Rock and across Arkansas who have suffered from HAIs due to medical negligence. If you or a loved one has been affected, we’re here to help you understand your rights and fight for the compensation you deserve.
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- What is a hospital-acquired infection?
- What are the common causes of Little Rock hospital-acquired infections?
- What are my legal rights and options after a Little Rock hospital-acquired infection?
- What are Arkansas’s laws on hospital-acquired infections?
- How can Greer Injury Lawyers, PLLC help with my Little Rock hospital-acquired infection case?
- Do you have a Little Rock hospital-acquired infection lawyer near me?
What is a hospital-acquired infection?
Hospital-acquired infections (HAI), also called healthcare-associated infections, are infections that patients get while receiving treatment for other conditions in a healthcare setting. These infections can occur in any healthcare facility, including hospitals, outpatient clinics, nursing homes, and rehabilitation centers. Common types of HAIs include:
- Central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs): Infections that occur when germs enter the bloodstream through a central line catheter.
- Catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs): Infections involving the urinary system, often associated with catheter use.
- Surgical site infections (SSIs): Infections that occur after surgery in the part of the body where the surgery took place.
- Methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA): A type of staph bacteria that's resistant to many antibiotics.
- Clostridioides difficile (C. diff): A bacterium that causes diarrhea and more serious intestinal conditions.
The CDC reports that “On any given day, about 1 in 31 hospital patients has at least one healthcare-associated infection.” They further note that “HAIs are infections that patients get while or soon after receiving health care. Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) are a serious threat to healthcare safety.”
HAIs can lead to serious health complications, prolonged hospital stays, increased medical costs, and even death. In Arkansas, the Department of Health monitors and reports on HAIs to help improve patient safety. Hospitals are required to report certain types of infections, and this data is used to identify areas for improvement.
What are the common causes of Little Rock hospital-acquired infections?
HAIs can result from a variety of factors, which are often related to lapses in standard medical practices. Common causes of hospital-acquired infections include:
- Failure of healthcare workers to wash their hands properly between patient interactions.
- Inadequate cleaning and sterilization of medical instruments and equipment.
- Unclean hospital environments, which can harbor harmful bacteria.
- Overuse or misuse of antibiotics, which can lead to antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
- Lack of proper protocols to prevent the spread of infections.
What are my legal rights and options after a Little Rock hospital-acquired infection?
If you or a loved one has suffered from an HAI because of medical malpractice, you may have the right to seek financial compensation for your damages and losses. To establish a medical malpractice claim, you generally need to prove the following:
- Duty of care, meaning that the healthcare provider had a responsibility to provide a standard level of care.
- Breach of duty, meaning the provider failed to meet the standard of care.
- Causation, meaning that this breach directly caused the infection.
- Damages, meaning that you suffered harm as a result.
Your compensation may cover medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other related costs.
What are Arkansas’s laws on hospital-acquired infections?
In Arkansas, the Health Facility Infection Disclosure Act requires hospitals to collect and report data on certain HAIs. This information helps the state monitor infection rates and enforce standards.
Additionally, the Arkansas Code outlines the responsibilities of healthcare facilities and provides guidelines for reporting and addressing HAIs.
How can Greer Injury Lawyers, PLLC help with my Little Rock hospital-acquired infection case?
It can be complicated to work your way through a medical malpractice claim, but you don’t have to do it alone. At Greer Injury Lawyers, PLLC, we have extensive experience handling cases involving hospital-acquired infections. Our team can:
- Investigate your case by gathering medical records, consulting with experts, and determining the cause of your infection.
- Build a strong claim by establishing the link between the healthcare provider’s negligence and your HAI.
- Fight for the financial compensation you deserve for your medical bills, lost income, and pain and suffering.
Do you have a Little Rock hospital-acquired infection lawyer near me?
Greer Injury Lawyers, PLLC is located at 415 N McKinley Suite #250-J, Little Rock, AR 72205. Rest assured, however, that if you are critically injured and unable to come to us, we will travel to visit you in the hospital or rehabilitation center. We also offer virtual conferences and telephone consultations.
Exceptional Little Rock hospital-acquired infection lawyers working for you
Hospital-acquired infections are a serious concern, but you have rights if you've been affected due to medical negligence. At Greer Injury Lawyers, PLLC, we're committed to holding healthcare providers accountable and helping you recover. If you or a loved one has suffered from an HAI in Little Rock, contact us today for a free consultation. Simply call us or fill out our contact form today.
