A full guide to meningitis and medical negligence – Types of cases, how to make a claim and getting compensation

Meningitis is an infection of the protective membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord. Without immediate diagnosis and treatment, the long-term effects of meningitis can be critical, if not fatal. In this guide, we explain everything you need to know about the types of meningitis negligence cases, getting compensation and meningitis in children.

Types of meningitis negligence cases

Misdiagnosis, incorrect or untimely treatment for meningitis can be critical and may be classed as medical negligence. Types of cases can include meningitis misdiagnosis, which often involves failing to detect the early signs of meningitis—and quickly instigate the correct treatment. This can result in life-changing medical conditions and even death. Meningitis can sometimes be misdiagnosed because of:

• Failure to conduct a lumbar puncture or CSF examination
• Failure to perform a CT scan of the head or chest X-ray
• Misinterpretation of meningitis symptoms, test results, x-rays, and scans
• Failure to test cerebrospinal fluid for signs of infection
• A lack of investigation into symptoms of ill health
• Delay in referring you to a specialist
• Delay or failure to administer intravenous antibiotics

Read our full guide to meningitis misdiagnosis here.

Do you feel you have been the victim of meningitis misdiagnosis? Find out how we can help here.

Other types of meningitis negligence cases can often include:

• A failure to apply further diagnostic tests, which can lead to damage that could have been prevented.
• A failure to treat the condition in a timely manner due to delays or neglect, leading to otherwise avoidable damage such as the consequences of sepsis.
• Mistreatment of meningitis– for example, providing the incorrect medication.

For more information, read our full guide to the different types of meningitis negligence cases.

Meningitis in children – symptoms and types of negligence cases

Meningitis can be extremely serious in babies and children, so it is vital to understand the symptoms and seek medical attention quickly. Meningitis in children most commonly has a swift onset, with children developing severe symptoms in a short space of time. There is no defined order for the symptoms meningitis causes, and in some cases, children will display some signs but not others. Meningitis symptoms in children can include:

• Rash
• Fever/temperature
• Vomiting
• Confusion
• Breathing quickly
• Muscle and joint pain
• Severe headache
• Stiff neck
• Pale/mottled/ashen/blue appearance
• Sensitivity to bright light
• Bulging to the top of the head.
• Sleepiness
• Seizures

Negligence cases in children

Younger children are often unable to communicate how they feel, sometimes making it difficult to seek the correct diagnosis and treatment quickly. Teenagers and older children, on the other hand, often mistake meningitis symptoms for conditions such as the flu. This means that children are particularly at risk of not getting the attention and treatment they need quickly enough, and their meningitis symptoms can often be misdiagnosed. In some instances, a GP may fail to refer a child to the hospital, or a child may be dismissed with symptoms of the flu or a different infection by hospital staff. There may also be delays in a hospital that can cause a child’s symptoms to quickly worsen, sometimes leading to sepsis. Additionally, hospital staff may fail to follow up on a child’s meningitis case, sometimes leading to long-term complications.

Read our full guide to meningitis in children and making a claim here.

Achieving compensation

Gathering evidence of the negligence you experienced, such as a misdiagnosis or incorrect treatment can, help increase the likelihood of gaining compensation. Contact us today if you feel you have a valid case, and we will help you file a liability claim. If this is not admitted, but we agree that you have a case worthy of a compensation claim, then we will issue court proceedings, and the case will be taken to trial. Whilst this may span over a minimum of three years, rest assured that our expert team will be with you every step of the way to ensure you receive the justice and compensation you deserve.

Find out whether you may be eligible for compensation and the steps you will need to take.

If you feel that you have a meningitis negligence claim, you can get in touch with our expert medical negligence team here at Wake Smith, where we can consult around your case and help you find the closure you need.

Related content

Meningitis misdiagnosis

Meningitis in children

Types of meningitis cases

Meningitis compensation