Another Case of Bacterial Infection Malpractice

An Ohio teenager who lost his legs as a result of a flesh eating bacterial infection has filed a medical malpractice lawsuit against several doctors and two hospitals, alleging his condition wasn’t properly treated.

Steven Haxton was just 18 years old when he went to the emergency room at Riverside Methodist Hospital last March complaining of pain in his calf.  He was diagnosed with necrotizing fascitiitis, also known as flesh eating bacteria, however it is his claim that the condition was not properly treated in a timely manner leading to devastating results.

According to documents, several days following diagnosis Haxton’s condition was so serious that he was placed on life support and transported to Ohio State University Medical Center.  Although he recovered, he was forced to have both legs amputated to save his life, and has since faced 20 additional surgeries.

Haxton’s lawsuit alleges that doctors and staff at both medical facilities failed to provide him with a level of care that would meet accepted medical standards and he has suffered immeasurably as a result.

Necrotizing fascitiitis, and other types of bacterial infections, can wreak havoc on the body, resulting in further illness, amputation and death.  It is imperative that these types of infections be diagnosed and treated immediately in order to prevent the damages they can cause.  When they are not, medical malpractice may be to blame.  Only an experienced medical attorney will know for sure.