Contaminated Needles

When a patient must have a chemical injected directly into his or her bloodstream, such as a certain type of medicine, anesthesia or nutrients through an IV, a needle may be used to transmit those chemicals. Because needles come in direct contact with a patient’s blood, it is absolutely imperative that the device be properly sanitized to limit the spread of bacteria or infections, blood-borne diseases.

Doctors, nurses, and other medical practitioners have a professional responsibility to provide a reasonable duty of care to all of the patients they treat. One aspect of this care is making sure that all of the needles that are used are properly sterilized and disposed after use. If you have contracted a disease or bacteria from a dirty needle and would like to seek legal representation, please contact the Pennsylvania medical malpractice attorneys of Lowenthal & Abrams, P.C. by calling 610-667-7511.

Infectious Diseases

The following diseases may be spread by the use of a contaminated needle:

• HIV
• Hepatitis B or C
• Other sexually transmitted infections such as Gonorrhea, Syphilis or Herpes
• Diphtheria
• Malaria
• Staph infections
• Tuberculosis

A patient’s prognosis after contracting one of the above diseases can range in severity. Of course, if a disease such as HIV or AIDS is transmitted, patients can face the life-long consequences of having an incurable, deadly virus. In other cases, the disease may be treatable with antibiotics.

In either case, medical professionals should be held accountable for any negative effects that result from their negligent behavior. The best way to make these individuals pay for their actions may be to bring your case to a court of law on the grounds of medical malpractice.

Contact Us

To learn more about contaminated needles and medical malpractice, call the Pennsylvania medical malpractice lawyers of Lowenthal & Abrams, P.C. at 610-667-7511.