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HomeAreas of FocusSeptic Shock / Sepsis
At Neinstein Medical Malpractice Lawyers, we understand the profound impact of sepsis and septic shock caused by negligent medical care. Our dedicated medical malpractice lawyers have successfully assisted patients and their families in seeking justice and compensation for preventable medical injuries, such as amputation/limb loss, paralysis, brain injury, or even death that occurred from a delay in diagnosis of sepsis and septic shock.
If you or a loved one has developed sepsis or septic shock due to medical negligence, it is crucial to act swiftly. We offer a free consultation to discuss your case with an experienced medical malpractice lawyer who is committed to protecting your rights.
We will not charge you any fees unless your case is successful.
At Neinstein Medical Malpractice Lawyers, our team has experience helping those that have suffered from sepsis and septic shock. For more than 55 years, our firm has focused on complex medical negligence claims, including cases that involve emergency departments, hospital wards, and intensive care units.
Our commitment is to empower you with a clear understanding of whether delays or errors in the Canadian healthcare system contributed to you or our loved one's unfortunate outcome. If we find that negligence played a role, we will tirelessly pursue the compensation and accountability you deserve.
Sepsis cases often arise out of very familiar settings: a visit to the emergency department, an admission to a community hospital, or even repeated visits to a family doctor or walk-in clinic. In Ontario, the healthcare system can fail patients who present with infection or the early stages of sepsis. Patients may be triaged, seen by multiple providers on different shifts, and may be moved between units or facilities. Those transitions create opportunities for warning signs to be missed, such as abnormal vital signs not rechecked, lab results not followed up, or a deteriorating patient left on a busy ward instead of being transferred to intensive care. Our job is to look closely at where the system broke down.
Sepsis is a serious, body-wide response to infection that can lead to organ damage and can rapidly become life-threatening. Sepsis often begins with an infection in a specific area, such as the lungs, urinary tract, abdomen, skin, or a post-surgical wound, and then triggers widespread inflammation throughout the body.
In Ontario hospitals, effective management of infection hinges on several critical steps: timely triage, careful monitoring, thorough blood work and cultures, early administration of antibiotics, and regular reassessment of patients who are not improving. When these essential steps are delayed or neglected, the infection can escalate to septic shock, organ failure, and, in severe cases, result in death.
In a sepsis malpractice case, the central question is "what should have happened, and when?" Was a patient sent home from the ER despite clear red flags? Were abnormal vitals or lab results ignored on the ward? Did hospital staff fail to call a physician, infectious disease specialist, or ICU team when the patient worsened? Did a family doctor or clinic miss a serious infection that should have prompted immediate hospital care? These are the kinds of issues our team and our independent medical experts investigate.
For many families, the term "sepsis" first surfaces in the most distressing circumstances, such as when a loved one is suddenly in critical condition, requires amputation, suffers paralysis, is reliant on life support, or has tragically passed away. In the aftermath of such an event, obtaining clear answers about what went wrong can be overwhelming.
At Neinstein Medical Malpractice Lawyers, our sepsis and septic shock lawyers are dedicated to helping families navigate this difficult time. We obtain and analyze the complete medical records, including emergency room notes, triage sheets, nursing charts, physician orders, lab and imaging results, and ICU documentation. This thorough review allows us to reconstruct the full timeline of events and assess whether the standard of care was upheld throughout.
Where the evidence supports it, we pursue claims for damages that may include past and future medical and rehabilitation costs, past and future income loss, attendant care and support services, and compensation for the loss of a loved one.
We typically work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you do not pay legal fees unless we are successful in obtaining compensation. If you believe delayed diagnosis or treatment of sepsis played a role in a serious injury or death in Ontario, contacting our team for a free, no-obligation consultation is an important first step toward getting the information and support you need.
Sepsis is a life-threatening condition that occurs when the body's response to infection causes widespread inflammation and organ dysfunction. It can start with a seemingly routine infection, such as pneumonia, a urinary tract infection, a post-surgical wound infection, or a bloodstream infection, and can quickly escalate to life-changing medical realities such as limb loss, paralysis, or death.
A careful review of the timing of symptoms, test results, and treatment decisions is critical in determining whether sepsis-related injuries were preventable.
A delay in recognizing infection is a common issue in sepsis cases. Warning signs can include fever, abnormal heart rate, low blood pressure, confusion, pain, and abnormal lab tests. Negligence may occur when healthcare providers:
When a preventable delay in diagnosis allows infection to progress to sepsis or septic shock and injury, legal responsibility may arise.
Septic shock is the most severe form of sepsis, where infection and inflammation cause a dangerous drop in blood pressure and failure of one or more organs. Patients in septic shock usually require urgent admission to intensive care, aggressive fluid resuscitation, medications to support blood pressure, close monitoring, and sometimes surgical intervention.
Delays in diagnosing septic shock, transferring a patient to ICU, administering appropriate antibiotics or performing surgery can have devastating consequences, including brain injury, amputation of limbs, long-term disability, or death. These cases require a detailed medical and legal analysis.
Even when infection is recognized, negligent treatment can still lead to catastrophic outcomes. Examples may include:
A sepsis lawyer will review the chart, including nursing notes and medication records, to determine whether treatment decisions fell below the standard of care and contributed to the injury.
Many sepsis claims arise after surgery or during hospital stays. In some situations, negligence may relate to:
Hospital-acquired infections that progress to sepsis or septic shock should be carefully investigated to understand what went wrong and whether the outcome was preventable.
To determine whether you have a viable sepsis or septic shock case, it is essential for a lawyer to review the medical records and consult with appropriate experts. If you or your loved one has suffered a severe, long-term injury - or if a family member has died - and you are concerned about the care provided, call us for a free consultation.
If we can prove, with expert evidence, that healthcare providers fell below a reasonable standard of care in preventing, recognizing, or treating infection, sepsis, or septic shock, and that this failure caused or contributed to the injury.
If the resulting injury is permanent and has serious consequences on the patient's daily life, for example organ failure, limb amputation, cognitive impairment, loss of independence, or death, a formal lawsuit may be warranted to access the financial support required for long-term care and security.
Medical errors and delays almost always cause distress for patients and families. However, if the infection and sepsis are resolved completely and there are no lasting consequences, a lawsuit may not be the most appropriate path. In those situations, you may wish to contact the relevant Regulator (for example, the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario) or the hospital's Patient Relations department to voice your concerns.
Your perception of the care you received may be shaped by the way it was delivered. Rude, dismissive, or insensitive behaviour can be deeply upsetting, but it may not amount to medical negligence. If your primary concern relates to bedside manner rather than a serious, lasting injury caused by substandard care, you should contact the hospital's Patient Relations department to raise your concerns.
At Neinstein Medical Malpractice Lawyers, our team is united by a long-standing commitment to patients and families affected by serious medical injury. Through specific experience with complex hospital and ICU cases, we understand the medical and emotional challenges you may face after sepsis or septic shock. We encourage our clients to reach out with questions at every stage of the process. Beyond handling your claim, we can help connect you with healthcare providers, rehabilitation resources, and community supports to assist you and your family. Every case is as unique as the individual, and we recognize that the legal process can be lengthy and emotionally demanding. We are here to guide you through the road ahead, with clear communication and consistent support.
Not every law firm has the depth of medical knowledge and experience required to properly investigate sepsis and septic shock claims. At Neinstein Medical Malpractice Lawyers, our medical malpractice lawyers focus on complex, medically-involved cases and have been specifically trained to navigate issues like delayed diagnosis, ICU care, and long-term disability following critical illness. When you retain a medical malpractice lawyer at Neinstein Medical Malpractice Lawyers, you gain the reassurance that comes from working with a team that has handled many clinical negligence claims over decades of practice. Negligent medical care that allows an infection to progress to sepsis or septic shock can result in catastrophic injuries - including organ failure, amputations, cognitive impairment, and death. A successful claim can help secure funding for medical treatment, attendant care, income loss, and future needs so that you and your family can rebuild.
When medical mistakes lead to sepsis, lives and livelihoods are often at risk. As medical negligence lawyers - and as people who care about our clients - we understand what this means for you and your family. We advocate for a fair and meaningful settlement or court award, while recognizing the practical realities of living with a serious injury.
Our medical malpractice team has developed proven strategies for building sepsis cases, including working with critical care, infectious disease, and nursing experts. These strategies are designed to strengthen your case, protect your rights, and give you the space to focus on your recovery as much as possible.
Sepsis and septic shock cases demand a careful, methodical approach. At Neinstein Medical Malpractice Lawyers, we conduct a detailed review of your medical records, timelines, lab results, imaging, and treatment decisions. We work with independent experts to understand what should have happened, what actually occurred, and whether earlier/appropriate action could have changed the outcome.
You can expect that a hospital or healthcare provider(s) will vigorously defend these cases. Our role is to determine whether you have a viable claim, explain your options clearly, and guide you through each step of the process - from investigation to negotiation and, if necessary, trial.
When you choose to retain a medical malpractice lawyer at Neinstein Medical Malpractice Lawyers, you receive more than legal representation. You gain a team that understands the emotional, physical, and financial toll of sepsis and septic shock.
We can help you understand whether a medical malpractice claim is warranted in your circumstances and, if so, pursue compensation that can support rehabilitation, home modifications, caregiving, future medical needs, and loss of income. Our firm can also connect you with clinical and rehabilitative care, and a case manager can assist with organizing and documenting appointments where appropriate.
We care deeply about the outcome of your case - but we also care about you and your family. Our goal is to support both your legal rights and your well-being throughout this process.
You may have a potential claim if an infection, sepsis, or septic shock was not recognized or treated in time, and that delay led to serious, lasting harm or death. Common issues include failing to take symptoms seriously, not ordering appropriate tests, delaying antibiotics or fluids, or postponing transfer to intensive care.
The only way to know for sure is through a detailed review of the medical records and expert opinions. As part of your free consultation, our team will obtain and review your chart, speak with you and your family about what happened, and consult with independent medical experts to assess whether the care fell below the standard of care and caused the outcome.
At Neinstein Medical Malpractice Lawyers, we typically act on a contingency fee basis for medical malpractice cases. That means you do not pay any legal fees upfront. Our fees are paid as a percentage of the compensation we recover for you, and we will explain that percentage clearly before you decide whether to proceed.
There are also out-of-pocket costs (called "disbursements") involved in pursuing a case, such as obtaining records and paying experts. In most cases, we fund these expenses during the life of the case so that you are not asked to pay as you go. All fee and cost arrangements are reviewed with you in advance, so you understand how payment works.
Sepsis and septic shock cases are complex and often require extensive medical evidence. It is common for a medical malpractice claim to take several years to investigate, build, and either settle or proceed to trial. Timelines depend on factors such as the number of healthcare providers involved, the volume of records, the need for multiple expert opinions, and the court's schedule.
From the outset, we will give you a realistic sense of the process and keep you informed at each stage - from investigation and issuing the claim, through discoveries, negotiations, and, if necessary, trial. While the legal process can be lengthy, our goal is to move your case forward efficiently while still doing the thorough work needed to present it properly.
Sepsis and septic shock cases require both legal skill and a deep understanding of complex hospital and ICU medicine. Our medical malpractice team has decades of experience handling medically involved cases, working closely with critical care, infectious disease, and nursing experts to uncover what went wrong and how it could have been prevented.
We combine that technical knowledge with a client-centred approach. We know you are dealing with life-changing injuries, grief, or both. Our role is to shoulder the legal burden, explain your options in clear language, and advocate for the compensation and support you need. For over 55 years, injured patients and families have trusted Neinstein to guide them through some of the most difficult moments of their lives.
In Ontario, there are strict time limits for starting a medical malpractice lawsuit. In many cases, you have two years from the date you first knew - or reasonably should have known - that you were injured and that it might be related to negligent medical care. There are special rules for children and for people who lack capacity, as well as an ultimate deadline that can apply in long-running cases.
Because these limitation periods are complicated and fact-specific, you should speak with a medical malpractice lawyer as soon as you suspect that negligent care contributed to sepsis or septic shock. A delay in getting legal advice can affect your ability to bring a claim, even if the care was clearly negligent. We can review your circumstances, identify any important deadlines, and help you protect your rights.