Although the number of bacterial meningitis cases in the United States has dropped in recent decades, there are still many deaths across the country due to this deadly disease. You may have seen the movie World War Z where this disease of meningitis was mentioned and even purposely injected by the main character Gerry Lane. That would be about the only time meningitis would be good to have!

According to the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there are still at least 4,000 bacterial meningitis cases each year, including approximately 500 fatal ones. The CDC also reported that the incidence of this disease was highest among children under 2 months old and blacks according to its study.

Symptoms of Bacterial Meningitis

Bacterial meningitis infections, unlike most viral meningitis cases, are extremely serious and may result in brain damage and death, even if it is treated. Acute bacterial meningitis is definitely a medical emergency which requires prompt medical treatment in a hospital. In most cases, symptoms of bacterial meningitis come on very quickly and may include the following:

  • Chills and fever
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Changes in mental status
  • Severe headaches
  • Photophobia, or sensitivity to light
  • Meningismus, or stiff neck
  • Bulging fontanelles
  • Agitation
  • Decreased consciousness
  • Rapid breathing
  • Irritability or poor feeding in children
  • Opisthotonos, or unusual posture with the neck and head arching backwards

Complications of Bacterial Meningitis

Bacterial meningitis can cause some major complications, such as:

  • Brain damage
  • Hearing loss
  • Seizures
  • Subdural effusion, or fluid buildup between the brain and the skull
  • Hydrocephalus

Undiagnosed or Misdiagnosed Bacterial Meningitis

Bacterial meningitis is a serious disease that can lead to a number of permanent injuries and in some cases, even death. Because the infection occurs so close to neural pathways in the body, it is critical that medical treatment is immediately provided to a person suffering from bacterial meningitis.

In many cases, doctors in New York do not diagnose bacterial meningitis or misdiagnose it as another medical problem. Due to this, patients with the condition may worsen or die. A reasonably qualified physician should be able to diagnose bacterial meningitis as there are quite a few obvious signs and symptoms.

However, if a doctor fails to conduct necessary tests, including blood culture, chest x-ray, CT scan of the head, etc., and misdiagnoses the disease, the patient may be eligible to file a medical malpractice lawsuit and pursue financial damages.

It is important to have a qualified lawyer experienced in handling medical malpractice cases by your side if your doctor's negligence was the reason behind your bacterial meningitis infection. Cases like this can be complex and require days, maybe weeks, of investigation as well as the testimony of expert witnesses. You should make sure that you hire an attorney who has dealt with cases like yours so that you have a better chance of winning, whether your case goes to trial or is settled out of court.

Get Legal Help in New York for Misdiagnosed Bacterial Meningitis

If you or a loved one in New York has suffered from a complication due to undiagnosed or misdiagnosis of meningitis, you should immediately seek the help of the qualified and experienced medical malpractice attorneys at Rosenberg, Minc, Falkoff, & Wolff of RMFW Law at 212-344-1000.

The first meeting is free. In fact, since you do not have to pay RMFW Law anything up front you never really have to write us a check since we only take a percentage at the end. Cases like this are not easy to win but if your case is viable we will obtain a medical expert to support your claim which is required to bring a suit like this to court.

Call RMFW Law! What is your side of the story?

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