Hospital visits are supposed to help you get better, but sometimes, they can lead to unexpected health issues — including hospital-acquired infections (HAIs). These infections can occur when patients contract bacteria, viruses, or other harmful pathogens while they’re at the hospital.
While Florida hospitals do their best to maintain cleanliness, the unfortunate reality is that HAIs are more common than many people realize. If you acquired an infection during a hospital stay in Ocala, you may have legal options.
What Are Hospital-Acquired Infections?
Hospital-acquired infections are infections that patients develop while receiving medical treatment in a healthcare facility. These infections can occur in hospitals, nursing homes, surgical centers, or rehabilitation facilities. What makes HAIs particularly concerning is that they are often caused by antibiotic-resistant bacteria, making them difficult to treat.
Some of the most common types of HAIs in Florida include:
- Pneumonia: Can occur from ventilator use or exposure to harmful bacteria in hospital settings
- Infections at Surgical Sites: Tend to happen when bacteria get into the body through an incision after surgery
- Bloodstream Infections: Can come from contaminated IV lines or poor sterilization procedures
- Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs): Often caused by catheters left in too long
These infections can lead to serious health complications, prolonged hospital stays, and additional medical treatments. In severe cases, they can even cause the patient’s death.
How Do Hospital-Acquired Infections Happen?
There are several reasons why hospital patients are at risk for infections. While hospitals are meant to be sterile environments, they are also full of sick patients, medical equipment, and healthcare workers who move between rooms throughout the day.
HAIs can be caused by any of the following:
- Contaminated Medical Equipment: IV lines, catheters, and ventilators need to be sterilized and changed regularly to prevent infections
- Too Much Antibiotic Use: Overprescribing antibiotics can lead to resistant bacteria and make infections harder to treat
- Poor Hygiene: If doctors, nurses, or other staff don’t properly wash their hands, they can pass bacteria between patients
- Weakened Immune Systems: Some hospital patients already have weak immune systems, so they’re more likely to get an infection
Even with strict protocols in place, hospitals can create the perfect environment for infections to spread. Patients and their families can stay vigilant about their safety during a hospital stay by learning to recognize these risks.
Can You Hold a Hospital Responsible for an HAI?
Hospitals have a responsibility to maintain a safe and clean environment for their patients. When infections occur due to negligence — including from improper sanitation, failure to follow hygiene protocols, or contaminated medical equipment — patients may have legal options.
To prove that a hospital is responsible for your infection, you typically need to show:
- You Were Under the Hospital’s Care: You must have been a patient at the hospital when the infection occurred
- Negligence Occurred: The hospital or staff must have failed to follow proper procedures, and their actions directly led to your infection
- Your Infection Caused Harm: The infection must have resulted in additional medical expenses, pain and suffering, or other losses
If you feel your infection was caused by the negligence of hospital staff in Ocala, you could have grounds for a medical malpractice claim. You can talk to an attorney to help you understand your rights.
What Should You Do if You Get a Hospital-Acquired Infection?
When you suspect that you or a loved one has contracted an HAI due to hospital negligence in Florida, taking the right steps can help protect your health and your legal rights.
Generally, you’ll want to make sure that you do the following:
- Seek Medical Treatment Immediately: The sooner an infection is diagnosed and treated, the better the outcome
- Document Everything: Keep records of your hospital stay, symptoms, and any treatment you receive
- Request a Copy of Your Medical Records: This can help determine when and how the infection occurred
As soon as you’re able, you’ll want to talk to a medical malpractice attorney. They can go over your case and help you figure out if you have grounds for legal action.
Contact Our Personal Injury Lawyers for a Free Consultation
Dealing with a hospital-acquired infection can be overwhelming, especially if it leads to serious complications. An experienced attorney can investigate your case, gather evidence, and work to hold the hospital accountable.
No one should have to suffer due to a preventable infection. If you believe a hospital’s negligence caused you harm, you may be entitled to compensation under Florida law.
The seasoned team at Allen Law Accident & Injury Lawyers can evaluate the details of your case and recommend the best path forward. We have fought for justice on behalf of injury victims throughout the state for almost two decades.
Contact our team today at (352) 351-3258 for a free consultation to start exploring your legal options.
