Preventing Sepsis After a Workplace Accident

When a wound suffered in a workplace accident becomes infected, the victim can potentially suffer from sepsis if he or she does not receive appropriate treatment for the infection in a timely manner. Sepsis is a complication that occurs when the body releases chemicals into the bloodstream in an effort to combat inflammation and these chemicals, doing their job, damage the victim's organs.

It is much better to prevent sepsis than it is to suffer from it and undergo treatment. Although sepsis is treatable, it requires substantial medical intervention and can result in permanent organ damage.

Staying up-to-date on your vaccinations for infections like pneumonia and influenza can reduce your chance of suffering from sepsis after an open injury. Other steps you can take require you to be proactive and thorough in the moments, days, and weeks after the injury-causing accident. These include:

• After an accident, clean any open wounds thoroughly with soap and water, then cover them with dry, clean dressings. Apply an antibiotic ointment to the wound each days and seek medical attention as soon as you can;
• Familiarize yourself with the symptoms of infection, such as a rapid heart rate, confusion, and extreme feelings of hot or cold. Seek medical attention if you experience any of these symptoms; and
• Be proactive. With an infection, time is critical – waiting too long to obtain medical attention can mean the difference between avoiding sepsis and experiencing it.

If you are suffering from sepsis, you might experience some or all of the following symptoms:

• Clammy or sweaty skin;
• Diarrhea;
• Vomiting;
• Confusion;
• Sore throat;
• Shortness of breath;
• An increased heart rate;
• Extreme pain; and
• Fever.

In severe cases, a victim might also experience:

• Decreased urine output;
• Difficulty breathing;
• Abnormal heart function;
• A drop in blood pressure; and
• A lowered platelet count.

Sepsis requires medical intervention to treat, which may include intravenous delivery of fluids and oxygen. A victim may also need treatment for his or her organ damage, such as dialysis. In rare cases, tissue is so damaged by sepsis that it must be removed surgically to prevent the infection from spreading. In all cases, sepsis is treated with antibiotics. If a victim does not receive appropriate treatment, he or she can go into septic shock.

Sepsis is a serious condition that can threaten a victim's life. If you have suffered from sepsis or any other infection complications after a workplace accident and these complications can be directly attributed to another party's negligence, consider filing and pursuing a workplace accident claim to seek monetary compensation for your damages. To learn more, schedule your initial legal consultation with a member of our team of workplace accident lawyers at Corsiglia, McMahon, & Allard, L.L.P. We proudly serve clients throughout the Bay Area, San Mateo County, Alameda County, San Benito County, Monterey County, and Santa Clara County.

• Septic Shock
• Sepsis