When sepsis develops due to medical negligence, the consequences can be devastating. At McCutchen Napurano - The Law Firm, our experienced medical malpractice attorneys in Fort Smith, Arkansas work to hold healthcare providers accountable. We help families recover compensation for sepsis injuries and wrongful deaths.
If you or a loved one suffered harm from delayed sepsis diagnosis, inadequate treatment, or hospital negligence, contact us today. We offer free, confidential consultations. Call (479) 783-0036 to speak with our team.
Why Choose McCutchen Napurano - The Law Firm for Your Sepsis Malpractice Case
McCutchen Napurano - The Law Firm brings decades of experience and proven results to sepsis malpractice cases. Our medical malpractice team has recovered over $100 million for injured clients and their families throughout Arkansas. We understand the complexities of hospital negligence claims and work diligently to secure fair compensation.
Our Track Record
In October 2025, our firm secured a $15 million wrongful death verdict in Stipins v. Mercy Hospital. This case involved medical malpractice at a major medical institution. The verdict demonstrates our ability to recover substantial compensation for families who lost loved ones due to medical negligence.
Our attorneys have earned recognition from Super Lawyers (2019-2025) and the Arkansas Trial Lawyers Association. These recognitions include the Roxanne Wilson Advocacy Award and ATLA Icon Award. We combine legal knowledge with deep understanding of medical standards and hospital protocols. Learn more about our case results and client testimonials.
What Sets Us Apart
- Sepsis-Specific Focus: We handle sepsis malpractice cases and understand the medical details involved
- Thorough Representation: We pursue compensation and do not settle for inadequate offers
- Experienced Medical Team: Our attorneys work with qualified medical experts to build strong cases
- 24/7 Availability: We understand medical emergencies don’t follow business hours
- Free Consultations: We evaluate your case at no cost and explain your legal options clearly
- Contingency Basis: You pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you
Understanding Sepsis and Medical Malpractice
Sepsis occurs when the body’s response to infection causes tissue damage and organ failure. This life-threatening condition requires immediate recognition and aggressive treatment. When healthcare providers fail to diagnose sepsis promptly or provide appropriate care, patients suffer severe complications, permanent disability, or death.
Medical professionals have a duty to recognize sepsis symptoms and initiate treatment within critical timeframes. Common failures in hospital negligence cases include:
- Failure to recognize sepsis warning signs (fever, rapid heart rate, difficulty breathing, confusion)
- Delayed administration of antibiotics
- Inadequate fluid resuscitation
- Failure to monitor vital signs and laboratory results
- Misdiagnosis of sepsis as a less serious condition
- Failure to transfer patients to intensive care units when necessary
- Hospital-acquired infections due to inadequate infection control protocols
These errors constitute medical negligence when they deviate from the standard of care. A competent healthcare provider would deliver different care under similar circumstances. If you believe you’ve experienced hospital negligence or a delayed diagnosis, our Fort Smith medical malpractice attorneys can evaluate your case.
How Sepsis Malpractice Claims Work in Arkansas
Proving medical malpractice in sepsis cases requires establishing four essential elements:
Duty of Care: The healthcare provider owed you a duty to provide competent medical treatment. This treatment must follow accepted standards in the medical community.
Breach of Duty: The provider deviated from the standard of care through action or inaction. Examples include failure to diagnose sepsis or delaying treatment.
Causation: The breach directly caused your injury or worsened your condition. Medical expert testimony establishes that a competent provider would have diagnosed and treated sepsis differently.
Damages: You suffered quantifiable harm. This includes medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, disability, or wrongful death.
Arkansas imposes a statute of limitations of TWO YEARS from the date of injury to file a medical malpractice claim. In wrongful death cases, the two-year period begins from the date of death. Acting quickly preserves evidence and secures medical records. Our attorneys retain qualified medical experts promptly.
Damages in sepsis malpractice cases may include:
- Past and future medical expenses
- Lost income
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of consortium
- Funeral expenses (wrongful death cases)
- Loss of financial support (wrongful death cases)
Common Sepsis Malpractice Scenarios
Sepsis malpractice claims arise from various failures in diagnosis and treatment:
Delayed Diagnosis: Emergency room physicians fail to recognize sepsis symptoms. They discharge patients without appropriate testing or treatment. Patients deteriorate rapidly at home. This represents a failure to diagnose that can have catastrophic consequences. Emergency room errors and medication errors are among the most common causes of sepsis malpractice claims.
Failure to Recognize Symptoms: Healthcare providers attribute sepsis symptoms to other conditions. This delays critical interventions and allows the infection to progress unchecked. Such misdiagnosis can result in severe complications or death.
Inadequate Antibiotic Treatment: Providers fail to administer broad-spectrum antibiotics within the critical first hour. This significantly reduces survival rates and constitutes improper treatment. Timely antibiotic administration is a critical standard of care.
Failure to Monitor: Hospital staff neglect to monitor vital signs and laboratory values. They miss opportunities for intervention and escalation of care. Proper monitoring is essential to detecting sepsis progression.
Hospital-Acquired Infection Negligence: Inadequate infection control protocols or poor hygiene practices lead to hospital-acquired sepsis. This represents a breach of the duty to maintain safe hospital conditions.
Failure to Transfer: Providers fail to transfer sepsis patients to intensive care units. Specialized facilities capable of providing appropriate care are not accessed, resulting in preventable harm. This failure can constitute hospital negligence.
Frequently Asked Questions About Sepsis Malpractice
What is the difference between sepsis and septic shock?
Sepsis is the body’s severe response to infection. It causes tissue damage and organ dysfunction. Septic shock occurs when sepsis progresses to dangerous drops in blood pressure and organ failure. Septic shock carries higher mortality rates and requires immediate intensive care. Understanding this distinction is critical in medical malpractice cases involving wrongful death.
How long do I have to file a sepsis malpractice claim in Arkansas?
Arkansas law provides a two-year statute of limitations from the date of injury or death. You must file a medical malpractice claim within this timeframe. Missing this deadline eliminates your right to pursue compensation. Contact our office immediately to protect your legal rights. For more information, see our guide on the statute of limitations in Arkansas medical negligence cases.
What damages can I recover in a sepsis malpractice case?
You may recover economic damages (medical expenses, lost wages, rehabilitation costs) and non-economic damages (pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life). In wrongful death cases, you may recover funeral expenses, loss of financial support, and loss of consortium. Our attorneys work to maximize your recovery.
Do I need medical expert testimony for a sepsis malpractice claim?
Yes. Arkansas law requires medical expert testimony to establish that the healthcare provider deviated from the standard of care. Our firm retains qualified physicians and medical specialists to review your case and provide expert opinions. This expert analysis is essential to proving your claim. Learn more about the need for an autopsy in medical negligence cases.
How much does it cost to hire a sepsis malpractice lawyer?
McCutchen Napurano - The Law Firm works on a contingency fee basis. You pay no upfront costs. We only collect a fee if we recover compensation through settlement or verdict. This arrangement allows you to pursue justice without financial risk.
What should I do if I suspect sepsis malpractice?
Contact our office immediately. Preserve all medical records, hospital bills, and documentation of your injury. Avoid discussing your case on social media or with others outside your family. Our attorneys will guide you through the next steps and protect your legal rights. See our guide on common mistakes to avoid when talking to an insurance adjuster.
Contact McCutchen Napurano - The Law Firm for Your Free Sepsis Malpractice Consultation
Sepsis malpractice cases require experienced legal representation and thorough investigation. McCutchen Napurano - The Law Firm has the knowledge, resources, and proven track record to help you recover compensation. Our team has successfully handled numerous medical malpractice cases throughout Arkansas.
Our team stands ready to evaluate your case and answer your questions. We offer free, confidential consultations with no obligation. Contact us today at (479) 783-0036 or complete our online contact form to schedule your appointment.
Time matters in medical malpractice cases. The statute of limitations will not wait. Call McCutchen Napurano - The Law Firm now to protect your legal rights and begin your path to recovery.
