Meningitis

Meningitis is a swelling of the lining of the brain (the meninges). It is caused by the reaction of the brain to infection (bacterial or viral) in the fluid surrounding it (the cerebral spinal fluid) and can cause brain damage, as it prevents oxygen getting to some areas of the brain.

Infection can get into the fluid surrounding the brain either by direct access - if there is a head or spinal injury or, more commonly by travelling across the barrier between the blood supply and cerebral spinal fluid. 

Most infections are self limiting but minor infections, including those of the throat or ear can expand. If this happens, the virus or bacteria can travel through and multiply in the blood stream. If the bacteria or virus crosses the blood - brain barrier and infects the fluid surrounding the brain, the body kills the infecting organism. However, when it does this, toxins are released and pus formed. It is a combination of the infecting organism, white blood cells, pus, and toxins that cause the swelling of the brain. The earlier the infection is caught the more likely intravenous antibiotics are to lead to recovery without brain injury. Even an hour can make all the difference between full recovery and catastrophic brain damage. 

If the infection is not caught at an early stage it can lead to a wide range of brain damage from slight hearing loss through to catastrophic brain injury.

People of all ages can suffer from meningitis but newborns and infants are particularly vulnerable to brain damage, as they are less able to deal with an infection than adults.

Our medical negligence lawyers have helped many families and individuals who have been affected by the disease and the process used in meningitis claims is described below.

Investigation

The process of investigation:

We obtain medical records, take a detailed statement, and obtain reports from independent doctors. If the issues concern a GP failing to spot signs of a serious infection, we may require a report from a GP. Alternatively, if the issues concern a delay in investigating and treating the infection after arrival at hospital we will require reports from a consultant physician or other medical practitioner.

Additionally, we will need a report from a microbiologist to consider how earlier or different treatment would have avoided or reduced the extent of brain injury.

Having investigated the medicine we will go on to identify the best future treatment and care that can be provided in order both to help in your future decisions and also to help the Court assess the proper amount of compensation that should be awarded.

Please contact our medical negligence lawyers for a confidential discussion. We can help both in bringing a claim for financial compensation and also practical help with care, education, equipment etc. The investigation is undertaken at no cost to you win or lose.

Find out how we have others claim compensation for medical mistakes.