Sepsis in Nursing Homes
This page has been written, edited, and reviewed by a team of legal writers following our comprehensive editorial guidelines. This page was approved by Founding Partner, Terry Crouppen who has more than 40 years of legal experience as a personal injury attorney. Our last modified date shows when this page was last reviewed.
This page has been written, edited, and reviewed by a team of legal writers following our comprehensive editorial guidelines. This page was approved by Founding Partner, Terry Crouppen who has more than 40 years of legal experience as a personal injury attorney. Our last modified date shows when this page was last reviewed.
- Last Modified:
- May 22, 2025
Sepsis is a life-threatening complication resulting from the body’s extreme immune response to an infection. Sepsis causes the blood pressure to drop, reducing the blood flow to the organs and causing them to shut down. Without a swift diagnosis and treatment, sepsis can be fatal.
- Why Is Sepsis So Common in Nursing Homes?
- What Are the Early Signs of Sepsis in Elderly Residents?
- Risk Factors for Nursing Home Residents
- What Are the Legal Rights of Families When Negligence Causes Sepsis?
- What Compensation Can Be Pursued in a Sepsis Lawsuit?
- Brown & Crouppen Is Here To Help You Protect Your Loved Ones
Unfortunately, sepsis is common in nursing homes because of higher risk factors. Negligence and a failure to properly care for residents can lead to deadly sepsis, leaving families grieving for their loved ones. At Brown & Crouppen, our skilled Missouri attorneys can seek justice for victims who contracted sepsis in nursing homes. Schedule a free consultation to see if you have a case.
Why Is Sepsis So Common in Nursing Homes?
What causes sepsis in nursing homes? Residents of nursing homes and other care facilities often have medical conditions or weakened immune systems that make them more susceptible to sepsis. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, sepsis-related death rates increase with age, putting nursing home residents at high risk.
With a high volume of people coming in and out of nursing facilities on a daily basis, the potential for germs and infection goes up. Many factors can further increase the likelihood of sepsis in elderly nursing home patients:
- Unsanitary conditions
- Understaffing
- Undertrained staff
- Negligent care practices
- Nursing home abuse or neglect
- Failing to notice the early signs of sepsis
Sepsis recovery time in elderly patients is significantly longer than in younger people. In severe cases, nursing home patients are unable to recover.
If sepsis advances, the chances of death go up by 4 to 9 percent for every hour that treatment is delayed. According to experts, 80 percent of deaths related to sepsis were preventable with earlier treatment.
What Are the Early Signs of Sepsis in Elderly Residents?
There are three stages of sepsis: sepsis, severe sepsis, and septic shock. When sepsis sets in, the blood pressure drops, causing inadequate blood flow to the tissues and organs. As the condition progresses through the three stages, vital organs become damaged.
If sepsis is caught during the early stages, nursing home residents may have a chance of recovery. Common early sepsis symptoms in elderly patients include the following:
- Rapid heart rate
- Fever
- Low body temperature or hypothermia
- Chills and shaking
- Sweaty or clammy skin
- Shortness of breath
- Fast breathing or hyperventilation
- Signs of infection
- Confusion, agitation, or other changes in mental status
How long does it take for sepsis to become severe? Once sepsis progresses, the septic shock death timeline can be quick. Elderly residents could experience very low blood pressure and organ failure within hours to days of a septic shock nursing diagnosis.
If nursing home staff do not recognize the warning signs of sepsis right away, a resident’s health could deteriorate quickly, leading to fatal outcomes. Immediate medical attention is crucial.
Is Sepsis Contagious From Person to Person?
Sepsis is not contagious. However, the infections and conditions that lead to sepsis developing can be contagious. Thus, it’s essential to identify infections as early as possible and treat them immediately.
Risk Factors for Nursing Home Residents
While sepsis is a life-threatening condition for anyone, elderly nursing home residents may have additional risk factors that make sepsis significantly more dangerous, such as the following:
- Advanced age
- Lack of physical mobility and strength
- Weakened immune systems
- Recent medical or surgical procedures
- Prolonged hospitalizations
- Use of medical devices, including catheters and feeding tubes
Facilities that do not take steps to reduce the chance of developing an infection also put residents at risk. For example, nursing homes that do not have proper sanitizing procedures in place or employ unqualified staff to care for residents can create unsafe conditions that lead to sepsis.
If you suspect a nursing home’s negligence or poor care of a loved one led to sepsis, you may be eligible to seek damages. Contact a trusted nursing home sepsis lawyer to learn more about your rights and options.
What Are the Legal Rights of Families When Negligence Causes Sepsis?
Missouri nursing homes have a legal duty to provide the standard of care to residents living in their facilities. If their failure to fulfill this duty leads to sepsis, victims and their families have a right to take legal action against the nursing home.
Bringing a lawsuit against the nursing home cannot change what happened. However, it can hold the facility accountable for negligence and demand fair compensation for your losses and suffering. Working with a nursing home abuse attorney can help you navigate the claims process and fight for the compensation you deserve.
Our Missouri injury attorneys understand how frustrating and heartbreaking it is to learn that a loved one was abused or neglected in a nursing home. That’s why Brown & Crouppen is dedicated to pursuing justice for victims and their families and helping our community improve conditions for elderly residents.
Missouri Statute of Limitations for Nursing Home Abuse Cases
In Missouri, the statute of limitations for nursing home abuse or neglect lawsuits involving personal injury is five years from the date of the injury. Victims only have five years to file a personal injury lawsuit and claim compensation for their damages.
While there are some exceptions to the five-year deadline, it’s important to take immediate action. If you do not file your claim before the statute of limitations expires, you can lose the chance to recover damages. Additionally, you could lose vital evidence to support your case if you wait too long.
What Compensation Can Be Pursued in a Sepsis Lawsuit?
Nursing home residents who develop sepsis due to the facility’s negligence may qualify to claim economic and non-economic damages. In some cases, the court may also award punitive damages.
Economic Damages
Economic damages cover the financial losses caused by the nursing home’s negligence and resulting sepsis. These damages are generally easier to calculate than non-economic losses because they have a set monetary value. Examples include the following:
- Current medical bills
- Future medical expenses
- Prescription medication
- Cost of caretakers or physical therapy
- Lost income of family members who provided care
- Funeral and burial costs in the event of wrongful death
Non-Economic Damages
Nursing home residents who develop sepsis can suffer physical, mental, and emotional impacts with life-changing consequences. Non-economic damages compensate for non-financial losses, such as the following:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Mental anguish
- Reduced quality of life
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Disfigurement
Punitive Damages
A court may award punitive or exemplary damages to punish a defendant who acted with the deliberate intent to harm or a reckless disregard for others. Such damages are rarely awarded. There is also a limit to how much punitive damages can be awarded in Missouri. Consult an experienced personal injury attorney to determine if you may qualify to receive punitive damages.
Get started with a free consultation with one of our skilled Personal Injury Lawyers today.
Brown & Crouppen Is Here To Help You Protect Your Loved Ones
If your loved one was abused or neglected in a nursing home and developed sepsis, you are not alone. Brown & Crouppen can guide and support you through this challenging time. Our attorneys have the skills and resources to level the field against big insurance companies that may try to deny responsibility and minimize your claim.
With more than 40 years of experience helping victims and their families claim compensation and fight for justice, we have won over $1 billion in life-changing results for our clients. Our award-winning team is ready to champion your cause with dignity and top-tier legal representation.
Call 800-536-4357 or contact us online today to schedule a free case evaluation.
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- Last Modified:
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