Hospital Infections
Hospital-acquired infections, also known as nosocomial infections, occur when patients contract infections during the course of receiving treatment in a healthcare facility. These infections are often caused by failures in hygiene protocols, improper sterilization of equipment, or inadequate infection control measures. Hospital infection malpractice cases require demonstrating that the facility deviated from accepted infection prevention standards, directly causing the patient's infection and resulting harm.
Average Settlement Range
$250,000 - $700,000
Actual values depend on injury severity, state laws, and specific case circumstances.
Common Examples
- Surgical site infections due to non-sterile operating conditions
- Central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs) from improper catheter insertion or maintenance
- Catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs) from prolonged or unnecessary catheter use
- MRSA or C. difficile infections spread through poor hand hygiene or contaminated surfaces
- Ventilator-associated pneumonia from inadequate respiratory equipment care
- Post-operative wound infections caused by failure to administer prophylactic antibiotics
Key Facts
- 1The CDC estimates that approximately 1 in 31 hospital patients has at least one healthcare-associated infection on any given day
- 2Hospitals are required to follow evidence-based infection prevention bundles, and failure to do so can constitute negligence
- 3Infection control committee records, staff training logs, and hand hygiene compliance audits are discoverable evidence in these cases
- 4Proving causation is often the most challenging element, as defendants may argue the infection would have occurred despite proper precautions
- 5CMS publicly reports hospital infection rates, and facilities with rates significantly above the national baseline face stronger liability exposure
- 6Some states have enacted specific hospital infection disclosure laws that require facilities to report infection data, which can be used as evidence
Think You Have a Hospital Infections Case?
If you believe you or a loved one was harmed by hospital infections, it is important to understand your state's laws and act within the statute of limitations.