According to statistics, more than 4,000 people are affected by bacterial meningitis each year in the United States. It also causes 500 deaths each year. That is the disease that helped out Gerry Lane (Brad Pitt) in the movie World War Z but that is another topic.

Additionally and moreover, it is revealed that meningococcal meningitis infects approximately 2,600 people every year in the US, 10% to 15% of meningococcal meningitis cases result in death while another 10% to 15% cause brain damage. Among those who survive this disease, about 1 in 5 live with permanent disabilities such as hearing loss, brain damage, limb amputations or loss of kidney function.

The Dangers of Meningitis

Meningitis, a bacterial infection that affects the membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord, is a particularly dangerous disease, especially when children are affected by it. Quick and proper diagnosis and medical treatment play a crucial role in preventing a serious and permanent injury or death.

Unfortunately, bacterial meningitis, which can be deadly, is often dismissed by medical professionals as a viral sickness. They fail to order appropriate tests, including a lumbar puncture or CT scan, to rule out a bacterial sickness.

Meningitis is an infection that can come in a number of different forms, including:

 

  • Aseptic meningitis
  • Meningitis - H. influenzae
  • Meningitis - gram negative
  • Meningitis - meningococcal
  • Meningitis - tuberculous
  • Meningitis - staphylococcal
  • Meningitis - pneumococcal

 

Causes of Meningitis

Meningitis is most commonly caused by viral infections that, in most cases, get better without the requirement of any treatment. Viral meningitis typically affects a person in late summer and early fall and in most cases, it affects children and adults who are under the age of 30.

The majority of viral meningitis is caused by enteroviruses - viruses that can also lead to intestinal problems. For example, viral meningitis can be a result of herpes viruses, which is the same virus that causes genital herpes and cold sores. Recently, one of the causes of viral meningitis in the US is West Nile virus which is spread by mosquito bites.

Complexities of a Misdiagnosed Meningitis Case

Like all cases that involve medical negligence, those that involve meningitis are highly complex in nature and teeming with opportunities for the people who are negligent to avoid taking any responsibility for the damage done to the patient.

It is important to have an experienced New York attorney by your side if you have a medical negligence case involving misdiagnosis and delayed diagnosis meningitis. Important facts will need to be discovered and you will also need highly-qualified expert witnesses to testify on your behalf. Additionally, your attorney will also need to methodically prepare your case for a trial in such a way that the opportunity for a fair and positive verdict is maximized.

Get Legal Help in New York for Misdiagnosed Meningitis

If you or a loved one in New York has suffered from meningitis due to misdiagnosis and negligence on your doctor's part, you should immediately seek the help of the experienced medical malpractice attorneys at Rosenberg, Minc, Falkoff, & Wolff of RMFW Law at 212-344-1000. Call us today!

These cases are not easy to win but we know the correct route to take. You need a medical expert to back up your claim or your case cannot move forward, we know medical experts that support claims made by patients and victims but your case has to be viable. The first meeting with us is free so you lose nothing by coming over to speak to us. If we have to, we will visit you.

RMFW Law is only paid if your paid. We look forward to hearing from you. Call this number 212-344-1000now!

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