Undiagnosed Meningitis Attorney in Pittsburgh, PA

Basic anatomy highlights the importance of the brain, but the truth is that we are still learning what this powerful organ is capable of. Motor and cognitive functions, such as vision, speech, memory, balance, awareness, understanding, auditory translation, pain, and emotion, are all functions of the brain. For all those reasons, brain infections such as meningitis and encephalitis are very serious diagnoses. Our Pittsburgh failure to diagnose meningitis lawyer is well versed in medical malpractice cases involving brain infections. Brain infections like meningitis that are contracted at a hospital and not properly diagnosed (or that are not diagnosed at all) can be deadly. These infections typically require time-sensitive treatment, and without prompt and thorough care, life for a patient may never again be the same. When a physician does not treat patients who have meningitis or encephalitis appropriately and they suffer serious injury or death as a result, the physician may be guilty of medical negligence.

If you suspect that medical malpractice may have occurred concerning the treatment of meningitis, please contact our Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania meningitis lawyer for a free case evaluation.

For answers to frequently asked questions about failure to diagnose meningitis in Pennsylvania, check out the Matzus Law, LLC medical malpractice FAQ page.

What is Meningitis?

Meningitis comes in 3 basic forms, and it can be deadly. The infection can be caused by a virus, bacteria, or a fungus. Bacterial meningitis is highly contagious and can be fatal. In general, meningitis is an infection that attacks the meninges of the brain. These are the small, triple layers of membrane that surround the brain and spinal cord. Filled with cerebrospinal fluid, these serve as protection from physical injury. Bacterial meningitis infections (typically the most severe) can become deadly quickly because the human immune system tries to fight off the infection by sending white blood cells to the affected areas. The amount of fluid in the battleground of the brain during the infection can cause swelling and pressure, which can hinder blood flow in parts of the brain and cause severe injury. Symptoms of bacterial meningitis may include a headache, fever, a stiff neck, chills, vomiting, seizures, and confusion.

A Skilled Pittsburgh Failure to Diagnose Meningitis Lawyer will Fight for You

Brain infections like bacterial meningitis can cause death in a matter of hours if untreated. Diagnosis involves a spinal tap along with diagnostic tests like MRIs and blood cultures. Bacterial meningitis can be treated with an antibiotic once the bacteria causing the infection is isolated. Medical malpractice can occur at any point in the life cycle of a brain infection. People who contract meningitis because a healthcare facility did not contain the infection properly may be able to hold the institution responsible for injury or death. Delayed or misdiagnosis may also be caused by negligence. During treatment, the improper performance or reading of diagnostic tests, including the painful and high-risk spinal tap, could lead to malpractice claims. If your physician did not use a reasonable standard of care during treatment, you may want to contact a Pittsburgh meningitis lawyer for a consultation. Every malpractice case is different, and only an experienced Pittsburgh meningitis lawyer can help you determine if your situation is malpractice.

Contact Matzus Law Today

At Matzus Law, LLC, we have experience handling child and adult meningitis malpractice cases. Brain infections are serious and can change your life or the life of someone you love forever. We never charge our clients unless we get a financial recovery for them, and case evaluations are always free. So, please contact our office today. While we are located in Pittsburgh, PA, we handle cases throughout all of Pennsylvania.