Top Rated Fresno Hospital-Acquired Infection Attorney
Fresno Hospital-Acquired Infection Lawyer
Find out why we have some of the best Fresno hospital-acquired infection lawyers
Fresno Hospital Acquired Infection Attorney
Getting infected at a hospital is one of the most aggravating experiences for anyone. You must be hurt, feeling wronged, and frustrated by this ordeal. Our Fresno hospital-acquired infection attorneys will help you take legal action against those responsible.
We know the implications of acquiring an infection at a hospital. The malpractice of medical professionals can turn your life upside down. However, for 30+ years, Goldberg & Loren has brought the medically negligent to justice and helped victims like you seek compensation. So, call our hospital-acquired infection lawyer today at (559) 603-8332 for a free consultation.
Our Verdicts and Settlements
After an asthma attack, a 10-year-old girl was admitted to a Fresno hospital. Due to improper cleaning of ventilator equipment and failure to adhere to infection prevention protocols, she developed ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
May 2024
A 52-year-old male patient underwent knee replacement surgery at a Fresno hospital. Due to improper sterilization of surgical equipment and inadequate post-operative wound care, the patient developed a Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infection.
April 2025
Understanding Hospital-Acquired Infections
A hospital-acquired infection, also known as a healthcare-associated infection (HAI) or nosocomial infection, is an infection that a patient acquires while receiving healthcare in a hospital or other healthcare facility. These infections are not present or incubating at the time of admission and typically develop after 48 hours. [1]
HAIs are a significant public health concern, contributing to extended hospital stays, increased healthcare costs, and even death. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that about one in 25 hospitalized patients in the United States acquire an HAI each day. [2]
Types of Hospital-Acquired Infections in Fresno
Hospital-acquired infections can vary in type. These infections can occur due to a variety of factors including:
- Compromised immunity
- Invasive procedures
- Prolonged hospital stays
- Improper hygiene practices
Some of the most common types of HAIs are as follows:
- Bloodstream Infections (BSIs): BSIs occur when bacteria or other pathogens enter the bloodstream, leading to systemic infection. They can result from contaminated medical equipment, intravenous catheters, or surgical procedures. Common pathogens causing BSIs include Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Enterococcus species.
- Clostridium Difficile (C. Diff) Infection: C. difficile is a bacterium that can cause diarrhea and colitis, and it is highly contagious. Patients in healthcare facilities are at increased risk due to exposure to the bacterium in contaminated environments.
- Gastrointestinal Infections: These infections involve the gastrointestinal tract and can manifest as gastroenteritis, colitis, or other digestive system-related illnesses. Pathogens such as norovirus, rotavirus, Salmonella, and Campylobacter are common causes, often transmitted through contaminated food, water, or inadequate hygiene.
- Meningitis: Meningitis is an infection characterized by inflammation of the membranes covering the brain and spinal cord. It can be caused by various bacteria, viruses, or fungi. In healthcare settings, bacterial meningitis may occur as a complication of surgical procedures, invasive interventions, or as a result of an underlying infection.
- Pneumonia: Hospital-acquired pneumonia (HAP) is a lung infection that develops 48 hours or more after admission to a healthcare facility. It can be caused by bacteria, viruses, or fungi, and often affects patients on mechanical ventilation or those with compromised immune systems.
- Sepsis: This is a severe systemic inflammatory response to infection. Sepsis can lead to organ dysfunction and failure. HAIs are a common source of sepsis, particularly when pathogens enter the bloodstream, causing widespread infection.
- Soft Tissue Infections: Skin infections can include serious conditions such as cellulitis, abscesses, or necrotizing fasciitis. Factors contributing to HAIs of the skin and soft tissues include surgical wounds, medical device-related infections, and poor wound care practices.
- Surgical Site Infections (SSIs): SSIs occur at the site of a surgical incision or procedure and can lead to wound complications, delayed healing, and systemic infection. They are often caused by bacteria introduced during surgery or from contaminated surgical instruments, implants, or operating room environments.
- Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs): UTIs involve the urinary system and can affect the bladder, urethra, ureters, or kidneys. Patients with indwelling urinary catheters are particularly susceptible to UTIs due to the introduction of pathogens into the urinary tract.
If you or a loved one has suffered symptoms of a hospital-acquired infection, our hospital acquired attorneys will file an action on your behalf.
Causes of Hospital-Acquired Infection in Fresno
Hospital-acquired infections are usually due to mismanagement or poor training of the staff. These infections can also occur due to poor risk management on the end of doctors and medical staff.
Some of the leading causes of hospital-acquired infections are as follows:
- Environmental Contamination: Healthcare environments can harbor infectious agents, including bacteria, viruses, and fungi. Contaminated surfaces, equipment, air, and water sources can serve as reservoirs for pathogens.
- Invasive Procedures: Invasive medical procedures such as surgery, insertion of catheters, and use of ventilators can introduce pathogens into the body or disrupt the body’s natural defense mechanisms.
- Pathogen Exposure: Exposure to pathogens is the primary cause of HAIs. These pathogens may include bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites. They can be transmitted through direct contact with infected individuals, contaminated surfaces, medical equipment, or healthcare workers’ hands.
- Inadequate Infection Control Practices: Lack of adherence to established infection control protocols can contribute to the transmission of HAIs within healthcare settings.
- Poor Hand Hygiene: Inadequate hand hygiene practices among healthcare workers can contribute significantly to the transmission of HAIs. Failure to wash hands thoroughly and frequently can facilitate the spread of pathogens.
- Patient Transfer and Movement: The movement of patients within healthcare facilities, such as transfer between wards, rooms, or different healthcare settings, can increase the risk of exposure to different pathogens.
- Use of Medical Devices: Medical devices such as urinary catheters, central venous catheters, endotracheal tubes, and intravenous catheters provide potential entry points for pathogens.
If the infection you suffered was due to one of these reasons, our Fresno hospital acquired infection attorneys can help you seek legal action. We will investigate the circumstances and gather enough evidence to back your claim and link your injuries with neglectful acts.
Table of Contents
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Fresno Hospital Acquired Infection Attorney
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Our Verdicts and Settlements
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Understanding Hospital-Acquired Infections
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Types of Hospital-Acquired Infections in Fresno
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Causes of Hospital-Acquired Infection in Fresno
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Who Can Be Held Liable For a Hospital-Acquired Infection in Fresno?
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How to Prove Hospital-Acquired Infections in Fresno
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Statute of Limitations for Hospital-Acquired Infection Cases in Fresno
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What Our Clients Are Saying About Us - Client Reviews
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Why Choose Our Fresno Hospital Acquired Infection Attorneys?
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Fresno Resources for Hospital-Acquired Infections
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FAQs
Who Can Be Held Liable For a Hospital-Acquired Infection in Fresno?
Determining liability for a hospital-acquired infection depends on the circumstances surrounding the infection. Liability can potentially extend to various parties involved in the healthcare process.
However, some of the most common liable parties in such cases include the following:
- Healthcare Workers: Individual healthcare providers, including doctors, nurses, technicians, and other staff members, are usually liable for HAIs if their actions or negligence contribute to the transmission of infections.
- Hospitals and Medical Providers: Hospitals and healthcare facilities must provide a safe and hygienic environment for patients. If it’s determined that the hospital failed to implement proper infection control measures, they may be held liable for HAIs.
- Other Third Parties: Liability for HAIs could extend to other third parties involved in the healthcare process, such as contractors responsible for cleaning and maintaining hospital facilities and suppliers of medical equipment and supplies.
- Pharmaceutical Companies: The companies manufacturing or distributing medicinal products may face liability. This could include issues such as contaminated drugs, faulty medical devices, or inadequate labeling and instructions.
We are thorough and careful when analyzing your HAI case. Our Fresno hospital acquired infection attorneys will thoroughly examine your case and establish a link to the liable party through evidence and expert testimonies.
How to Prove Hospital-Acquired Infections in Fresno
Establishing a link between your infection and the hospital’s neglect can be a complex procedure. However, we have done it for three decades, and our Fresno hospital acquired infection attorneys know just how to do it.
Here is a glimpse into our process and how we prove HAI claims:
- Documentation of Complications: We analyze your documents of any complications or adverse outcomes resulting from the infection. For instance, prolonged hospitalization or additional medical interventions. This helps establish the extent of harm caused by the infection.
- Establish Timeline: We focus on establishing a clear timeline of events. This includes the patient’s admission to the hospital and the development of symptoms suggestive of an infection. This timeline helps demonstrate the connection between hospitalization and the development of your infection.
- Expert Testimony: We consult with medical experts, such as infectious disease specialists or epidemiologists. If needed, they help us provide expert testimony regarding the cause of the infection.
Identify Pathogens: We determine the specific pathogen responsible for the infection. This may involve obtaining cultures, laboratory test results, or other diagnostic findings confirming the presence of bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites. - Infection Control Practices: We investigate the hospital’s infection control practices and protocols. This helps us determine if there were any breaches or deficiencies that may have contributed to the transmission of the infection.
- Legal Assistance: Throughout the process, we provide unwavering support and assistance to you. Be it negotiations or trials, our priority is your well-being and satisfaction. We are with you every step of the way.
- Medical Records Review: We obtain and review all relevant medical records, including admission records, progress notes, laboratory results, and discharge summaries.
Statute of Limitations for Hospital-Acquired Infection Cases in Fresno
The Statute of Limitations sets forth the time limits within which a lawsuit must be filed after the occurrence of a particular event or injury.
For medical malpractice cases the relevant Statute of limitations for medical malpractice cases in California are as follows:
- Medical Malpractice: You can file a claim three years from the day medical malpractice caused your HAI. CCP 340.5 (1)
- Infection Discovery: You can file a claim one year from the date of the discovery of HAI, if you discover it later than when you acquired it. CCP 340.5
- Wrongful Death: If a loved one succumbed to the infection, you can file a wrongful death claim within two years from the date of the incident. CCP 335.1. Hospital-acquired infections can be serious and require immediate attention and thorough care.
We know these stipulations can be confusing. However, you should not worry about this; let our Fresno hospital acquired infection lawyers take care of it for you.
What Our Clients Are Saying About Us – Client Reviews
Why Choose Our Fresno Hospital Acquired Infection Attorneys?
Sustaining an infection while under the care of professionals is nothing short of infuriating. However, you are not alone, as our Fresno hospital acquired infection attorneys are with you in this fight. Together, we will bring the responsible people to justice and get you compensated.
For 30+ years, Goldberg & Loren has waged legal battles against responsible hospitals and medical professionals for causing HAIs. We know how to take the fight to them and win while getting you compensation.
Contact our Fresno hospital acquired infection lawyers today for a free consultation.
Fresno Resources for Hospital-Acquired Infections
Local Hospitals, Emergency Rooms and Urgent Care:
Hospital-acquired infections can be serious and require immediate attention and thorough care. Our Fresno clients recommend the following options:
Community Regional Medical Center (Level I Trauma Center)
Address: 2823 Fresno St, Fresno, CA 93721
Phone: (559) 459-6000
United Health Centers Urgent Care- Fresno Bullard
Address: 1780 & 1782 East Bullard Avenue, Fresno, CA 93710
Phone: (559) 424-5863
Saint Agnes Medical Center Emergency Room
Address: 1303 E Herndon Ave, Fresno, CA 93720
Phone: (559) 450-3205
*Note: We do not endorse these hospitals or emergency rooms. These are suggestions based on our client recommendations.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
If you believe you have a hospital acquired infection, you should seek medical attention. You might have to get tests done, including blood work and other types of tests. Document your symptoms and get in touch with a Fresno hospital acquired infection attorney as soon as possible.
If you did not have any symptoms of an infection before a hospital visit/stay, you might have a right claim. So, one of the easiest ways to determine if your infection is related to hospital negligence is by comparing reports or overall health before and after receiving care at the hospital.
A professional Fresno hospital acquired infection lawyer can assist you by investigating your case and gathering key evidence. They can help you determine if your infection is related to hospital neglect by examining your case and the evidence at hand. Then, they can also enlist the help of medical experts to establish the link between the hospital’s neglect and your infection.
Some of the necessary evidence in hospital-acquired infection cases is an infection diagnosis report, medical records of the victim, and expert testimony regarding standard care practices.
Yes, you can pursue legal action if a loved one has passed away due to a hospital acquired infection. This could be grounds for a wrongful death claim, and immediate legal action is suggested against the responsible party.
Sources:
[1] Custodio, H. T. (n.d.). Hospital-Acquired Infections: Practice Essentials, Background, Pathophysiology. https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/967022-overview?form=fpf
[2] Mitchell, B. G., Gardner, A., Stone, P. W., Hall, L., & Pogorzelska-Maziarz, M. (2018, October 1). Hospital Staffing and Health Care–Associated Infections: A Systematic Review of the Literature. The Joint Commission Journal on Quality and Patient Safety. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcjq.2018.02.002
Have you or a loved one recently stayed at a hospital in Fresno and contracted an infection? Contact us, you may have grounds to seek compensation for the harm caused.
Have Questions About Your Case? Call Us Today: