MRSA: Instance of Deadly, Drug-Resistant Staph Infection Is On the Rise
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus bacteria (MRSA) is a form of staph infection, a so-called "Superbug" that is highly resistant to common antibiotics and can lead to deadly complications. Each year in the United States, MRSA accounts for about 90,000 serious infections and 18,000 deaths, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
MRSA used to be mainly confined to hospitals and other healthcare settings, where unsanitary surfaces in patient rooms and medical equipment as well as insufficient hand washing by nurses and hospital staff allowed the bacteria to spread and be passed from patient to patient. In 2007, nearly five percent of people in U.S. health care facilities were infected with MRSA. However, MRSA cases have recently moved out of the medical care settings and into community settings such as schools, jails, military barracks, and gym locker rooms.
If you or a loved one has developed a MRSA infection, you may be entitled to financial compensation for your injury. You may have been infected with MRSA at a hospital, school, or other location as the result of negligent conduct of another party. At Mark & Associates, P.C. our aggressive, experienced personal injury attorneys are dedicated to helping victims of MRSA receive the financial compensation to which they are entitled. To schedule a free, confidential legal consultation, contact us today by calling 1-866-50-RIGHTS (1-866-507-4448) or completing the case inquiry form on this page.
What is MRSA?
MRSA is a resistant variation of the common bacterium Staphylococcus aureus. The strain has evolved over time and is able to survive treatment with many common types of antibiotics, including methicillin, dicloxacillin, nafcillin, and oxacillin. Glycopeptide antibiotics such as Vancomycin and teicoplanin are commonly used to treat MRSA infections.
Symptoms of MRSA most often begin with the appearance of small red bumps resembling pimples, spider bites, or boils on the skin which may be accompanied by fever and a rash. Within days, the bumps increase in size, become more painful, and eventually advance to become deep, pus-filled boils.
Am I At Risk From MRSA?
You may be at increased risk of developing a MRSA-related infection if you are:
- Diagnosed with a weakened immune system due to AIDS, diabetes, cystic fibrosis, cancer, or severe asthma
- An athlete in contact sports or weight training
- A young child
- Elderly
- Staying in a health care facility for an extended period of time or making frequent visits to a facility
- A prisoner, jail inmate, military personnel, or otherwise living in confined space with other people
- Surfing or swimming in ocean waters contaminated with MRSA bacteria
Free Legal Consultation
If you or a loved one has developed an infection caused by MRSA, you may have a right to be financially compensated. These infections are often caused by unsanitary conditions in hospitals, other healthcare facilities, schools, jails, gymnasiums, and locker rooms. At Mark & Associates, P.C., our personal injury attorneys will evaluate your situation and advise you of all your legal rights. Contact Mark & Associates, P.C. today for a free, no-obligation review of your possible MRSA infection case by calling 1-866-50-RIGHTS (1-866-507-4448) or completing the form on this page.
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