Meningitis claims

The symptoms of meningitis can often be confused with other ailments. Also, the tell-tale rash is not always present and symptoms can occur in any order. This is why misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis of meningitis is not uncommon.

Symptoms of meningitis can include:

• High temperature
• Headaches
• Vomiting
• Rash that doesn’t fade when glass is rolled over it
• Stiff neck
• Drowsiness
• Seizures

If caught early enough, bacterial meningitis can be treated easily in hospital with antibiotics. However, where the symptoms are mistakenly assumed to be related to a less serious condition – like influenza – and treatment is delayed, the damage caused to the brain and spinal cord can be irreversible. This can have a significant impact on the patient’s future life.

Where GPs, other healthcare staff in the community or hospital staff should have suspected meningitis and failed to provide the proper and prompt treatment leading to brain injury, this can amount to clinical negligence. Should this happen to you or a loved one, our experienced meningitis lawyers can help you bring a claim.

Our experienced clinical negligence solicitors can help those who have suffered due to delayed or misdiagnosis meningitis to bring a claim.

Contact our team for a free initial consultation. Someone will listen to your case, assess its details and discuss whether they think you have a claim worth pursuing or not. This can include asking questions about your health, treatment and experiences.

You may also be able to make a claim on behalf of a loved one who has died or was affected due to a delayed or misdiagnosis of meningitis. One of our meningitis lawyers will explain how this works, advise you on the next steps to take and can support you through the process.

Whether you are making meningitis claims for yourself or a loved one, collecting as much evidence as possible can boost your chances of successfully securing compensation. This can include:

• Medical records, documents and witness statements from medical professionals, friends and family to verify the impact the infection had on your condition.
• Evidence of your financial records may also be required if the claim includes loss of earnings.

Compensation for delayed or misdiagnosed meningitis varies in amount based on the specifics of your case.

As meningitis can be a life-changing condition, it usually takes into account all the costs you will encounter in the future.

Compensation awarded could cover:

• Treatment, therapy and medication costs
• Care requirements
• Specialist equipment and home adaptations
• Travel expenses to medical appointments
• Any physical and emotional pain and suffering experienced
• Loss of earnings encountered

Depending on the age of the individual, their recovery and any side effects, the amount awarded can cover a broad range.