Sepsis is a life-threatening medical emergency that often stems from infections left untreated or improperly managed. For nursing home residents—many of whom are elderly, frail, or medically compromised—the risks are alarmingly high. At Paulozzi, Alkire & Condeni Personal Injury Lawyers, we believe that preventable harm has no place in long-term care. If your loved one developed sepsis in a nursing home, you may have grounds for a legal claim due to nursing home neglect or abuse.
Sepsis is the body’s extreme and often harmful response to an infection. Instead of fighting off the infection normally, the immune system triggers widespread inflammation that can cause organ failure, tissue damage, and death. If not diagnosed and treated immediately, sepsis can escalate into septic shock—a condition that causes dangerously low blood pressure and is often fatal.
Recognizing sepsis early is crucial. Warning signs in nursing home residents include:
If your loved one showed any of these symptoms while in a nursing facility, and did not receive prompt medical attention, it may point to negligence.
Elderly residents are already at greater risk for sepsis due to weakened immune systems, chronic health conditions, and invasive devices like catheters. But when these risks are compounded by understaffing, poor hygiene, or delayed care, the chances of developing sepsis increase dramatically.
Sepsis is not contagious, but the underlying infections that cause it often are. These infections may include:
When these conditions are not promptly treated or are outright ignored, the infection can spiral into full-blown sepsis—endangering the resident’s life.
Yes. In Ohio, nursing homes have a legal duty to provide residents with adequate care, cleanliness, and timely medical attention. When they fail in that duty and a resident develops sepsis as a result, the facility may be held liable for medical negligence or wrongful death.
At Paulozzi, Alkire & Condeni, we offer free consultations to help you understand your rights and determine whether you have a viable claim. We work on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay nothing unless we win your case.
Understanding how sepsis progresses can help you identify if your loved one’s condition could have—and should have—been prevented.
A patient has an infection and shows systemic symptoms such as fever, rapid heartbeat, and elevated breathing rate.
The infection begins to affect organ function. The resident may appear confused, have low blood pressure, or show signs of kidney or liver failure.
Blood pressure drops dangerously low, requiring emergency medical intervention. The risk of death increases significantly at this stage.
In many nursing home abuse and neglect cases, the failure lies in not recognizing the symptoms during the early stages when treatment with antibiotics and fluids could prevent serious outcomes.
Sadly, nursing home residents in Ohio and across the country continue to die from sepsis-related complications that were preventable. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and National Institutes of Health (NIH) both recognize that elderly individuals in long-term care settings are seven times more likely to develop severe sepsis than community-dwelling adults.
If your loved one died from sepsis in a nursing home, you may be eligible to file a wrongful death claim. Our legal team at Paulozzi, Alkire & Condeni will investigate the circumstances surrounding your loved one’s care and help hold the responsible parties accountable.
If you suspect that nursing home negligence led to a case of sepsis, follow these steps:
We also recommend filing a report with the Ohio Department of Health if you believe the facility violated state nursing home regulations.
The value of a sepsis claim can vary based on the severity of harm, the extent of the negligence, and whether the case resulted in death. At Paulozzi, Alkire & Condeni, we fight to recover compensation for:
At Paulozzi, Alkire & Condeni Personal Injury Lawyers, we have decades of experience representing victims of nursing home abuse and neglect across Ohio. We are committed to protecting vulnerable populations and ensuring their families receive the justice they deserve.
Your loved one deserved dignity, safety, and attentive care. When nursing homes fall short, we’re here to help you fight back.
Sepsis should never be the result of living in a nursing home. If your loved one has suffered or passed away due to sepsis in a long-term care facility, don’t wait to act. The trusted Ohio nursing home abuse attorneys at Paulozzi, Alkire & Condeni Personal Injury Lawyers are here to help.
Let us answer your questions, support your family, and fight for the justice and accountability your loved one deserves. Contact Paulozzi, Alkire & Condeni to schedule a free consultation or call 800-LAW-OHIO (800-529-6446) today. We’re available days, evenings, and weekends to serve clients statewide.
