Los Angeles Meningitis Diagnosis Attorneys

Failure to diagnose and treat meningitis

In a matter of hours, untreated meningitis (swelling of the lining around the brain and spinal cord) and septicemia (blood poisoning) can result in permanent paralysis, blindness, brain injury, or a coma, or they can be fatal. Bacterial and fungal meningitis and many forms of septicemia respond well to early treatment (unlike viral meningitis). Therefore, early and accurate diagnosis is critical. Unfortunately, misdiagnosis or failure to diagnose is common in adults, since meningitis is often incorrectly considered a disease of infants and children.

Was your suffering caused by medical negligence?

If you or a member of your family was seriously injured as a result of a doctor's failure to note the symptoms, perform the proper tests and diagnose meningitis in time to treat it successfully, you deserve to know exactly what happened. If you would like to speak with an attorney from the Los Angeles medical malpractice law firm of Michels & Watkins, please contact us to arrange a free medical/legal consultation.

Bradford S. Davis, M.D., head of our medical team, will work with our lawyers to determine whether the injury or death could have been prevented. Our attorneys will explain whether medical malpractice was responsible for your loss and what your options are.

Some forms of meningitis CAN be treated

Bacterial meningitis includes many types, including meningococcal and pneumococcal. Neonatal meningitis often results from untreated maternal Group B Streptococcal (GBS) and E Coli. Listeria meningitis affects primarily infants, the elderly and those with immune deficiencies. Herpes meningitis (caused by the herpes virus) and some types of fungal meningitis are also treatable, if appropriately diagnosed.

Symptoms of meningitis include:

• Fever
• Vomiting
• Rash
• Stiff neck
• Dislike of bright lights
• Drowsiness
• Confusion
• Seizures

Symptoms of septicemia include many of these symptoms and also joint and muscle pain, chills and pale skin.

In order to avoid permanent neurological damage, meningitis must be diagnosed and treated promptly. Failure to recognize signs of meningitis and recommend appropriate tests, such as a lumbar puncture (spinal tap), blood test or other test can cause the patient to suffer preventable injuries and the effects of meningitis.

"The team at Michels & Watkins was very supportive during my difficult time. They went above and beyond expectations by watching my son when I needed to be in court. They helped me stay focused throughout the entire process."

Ana Martinez

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Did meningitis effects result from medical malpractice? Contact our Los Angeles law firm to arrange a free medical consultation. At Michels & Watkins, our medical staff, led by Bradford S. Davis, M.D., will help you find out what went wrong. If a member of your family was injured as a result of negligence, our attorneys will hold those responsible accountable. Our Los Angeles firm serves clients throughout California and surrounding states. Our staff and our lawyers provide far more than legal services, giving a client the support necessary to survive in the aftermath of a tragic medical accident.