The Brown & Crouppen law firm helps clients secure compensation for losses caused by healthcare provider negligence. Our skills, credentials and resources have helped our clients get compensation from medical negligence cases. If you, or a loved one, have suffered bacterial (or spinal) meningitis, and there was a delayed diagnosis, we may be able to recover money for you.

Meningitis, also called spinal meningitis, is an inflammation of the lining of the brain. Meningitis is almost always caused by a bacterial or viral infection of the spinal fluid. Between 10,000 and 25,000 children contract bacterial meningitis each year, and the disease can kill an infant in 24 hours if left untreated.

It’s important to know whether a particular case of meningitis results from a virus or a bacterium because of the differences in the seriousness of the illnesses, and the treatment needed.

Bacterial meningitis. The bacterial form of meningitis is an extremely serious illness that requires immediate medical care. If not treated quickly, it can lead to death within hours or to permanent brain damage in about 30 percent of people. Delayed diagnosis and treatment of bacterial meningitis is the most common form of meningitis malpractice claim. Bacterial meningitis is caused by any one of several bacteria, including Group B strep (in newborns), Hemophilus influenzae type b (in babies), meningococcus (mostly in young adults) and pneumococcus (the most common for adults). Together, these four bacteria account for over 80% of bacterial meningitis cases in the U.S.

Viral meningitis. Though more common, people with viral meningitis are much less likely to have permanent brain damage or spinal damage. Also, because antibiotics cannot treat viral meningitis, very few malpractice cases involve viral meningitis. Viral meningitis is usually relatively mild. It clears up within a week or two without specific treatment.

Bacterial meningitis symptoms can mimic flu symptoms, and unless competent medical professionals confirm the diagnosis by ordering a lumbar puncture – also known as a spinal tap – children, especially infants, could suffer brain damage, coma, hearing loss, mental retardation, paralysis, seizures and death. Almost 500 people, mostly children, die from bacterial meningitis each year.

If aggressively treated, the disease is curable with powerful antibiotics. A doctor’s delay or failure to diagnose and properly treat spinal meningitis could result in malpractice liability.

If you believe that you or a family member have suffered injury or you believe a family member has died as the result of a physician's failure to properly diagnose or treat bacterial meningitis, call Brown & Crouppen, at Toll Free: 866-991-4700 or contact us online to determine whether you might have a viable medical malpractice claim. Our attorneys will evaluate your case free of charge. Please keep in mind that there may be time limits that apply to your case... time is of the essence.