Attorney at Graves McLain Injury Lawyers
Practice Areas: Wrongful Death, Medical Malpractice, Bad Faith Insurance, Car Accidents, T-Bone Tractor-Trailer Accidents, Dangerous Drugs
Hospitals are meant to be places of healing, where patients go to recover and get the care they need. However, sometimes, the very place that’s supposed to protect your health is the reason it worsens. When proper safety measures are ignored, infections can spread quickly—and patients may face serious, even life-threatening, complications as a result.
These infections, known as hospital-acquired infections (HAIs), affect thousands of patients each year. While not every disease is preventable, many are caused by avoidable errors, such as poor hygiene, improper sterilization, or miscommunication among medical staff. When an infection results from medical negligence, the hospital may be held legally responsible, and the injured patient may have the right to file a malpractice lawsuit.
Hospital-acquired infections, also known as healthcare-associated infections, are illnesses that patients develop while receiving medical treatment. These infections are not present at the time of admission but occur during a hospital stay or procedure.
Common HAIs include:
These infections are often associated with the use of invasive medical devices, such as IV lines, catheters, or ventilators. In many cases, they’re caused by bacteria that are resistant to antibiotics, which makes treatment more complex and potentially more dangerous.
According to the CDC, nearly 100,000 people die each year due to healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) in U.S. hospitals.
Patients with weakened immune systems or those undergoing surgery are especially vulnerable. A hospital’s failure to maintain clean environments and equipment can exacerbate the risk.
Not every infection is a result of medical malpractice. But if a hospital fails to follow basic health and safety protocols and that leads to a disease, it could be held legally responsible.
Examples of negligence may include:
In Oklahoma, a successful malpractice claim requires proof that a healthcare provider breached the accepted standard of care and directly caused the injury.
When infections happen due to these kinds of mistakes, it may be grounds for a hospital liability lawsuit.
In 2018, over 180 patients at W.W. Hastings Hospital in Oklahoma were potentially exposed to HIV and Hepatitis C. A nurse reused syringes while giving medication. Two patients later sued the hospital for emotional distress after not being adequately informed of the exposure.
“In 2018, a syringe reuse incident at W.W. Hastings Hospital led to the potential exposure of over 180 patients to Hepatitis C and HIV.”
In another case, college soccer player Whitney Jarvis had knee surgery at an Oklahoma hospital. Four days later, she had a high fever and Pain. Doctors discovered a surgical sponge had been left inside her knee. She needed three more surgeries and years of physical therapy.
“Leaving surgical tools or sponges inside a patient is considered a ‘never event’ by the Joint Commission—an error so serious it should never happen.”
These cases show how hospital oversights can lead to long-term consequences—and why legal action is sometimes necessary.
To hold a hospital accountable, specific legal standards must be met. A patient must show that:
“In Oklahoma, a successful malpractice claim requires proof that a healthcare provider breached the accepted standard of care and directly caused the injury.”
Building a case often involves reviewing medical records, gathering expert testimony, and collecting witness accounts. These are used to establish when the infection occurred and whether it was preventable.
Hospital infections can be severe, especially if they lead to long-term disability, sepsis, or even death. Patients may be entitled to compensation if the hospital is found liable. Recoverable damages may include:
Every case is different, and the amount awarded depends on the specific facts and level of harm.
Type of HAI | Common Causes | Potential Consequences |
| Surgical Site Infection | Improper sterilization, retained surgical tools | Pain, re-operation, delayed healing |
| Bloodstream Infection | Contaminated IV lines | Organ damage, sepsis |
| Catheter-Associated UTI | Insertion technique errors, lack of hygiene | Kidney infection, discomfort |
| Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia | Dirty ventilator tubing | Lung infection, respiratory failure |
Common examples include failure to sterilize tools, poor hygiene practices, and inadequate communication regarding infection control.
No. Some infections are unavoidable. However, if the disease was preventable and resulted from improper care, it may qualify as malpractice.
Yes. In Oklahoma, the statute of limitations is generally two years from the date the injury occurred or was discovered.
In some cases, yes—especially if the hospital’s actions caused significant emotional harm or fear of serious illness.
You may seek compensation for medical bills, lost wages, long-term care, Pain and suffering, and more, depending on your situation.
A “never event” is a serious, preventable error—such as leaving surgical tools inside a patient—that should never occur in a hospital setting.
Hospital-acquired infections are more than just a medical setback; they can have severe consequences. They can change lives, delay recovery, and cause lasting harm. While not every infection means negligence, patients have the right to seek accountability when preventable mistakes occur.
If you or a loved one suffered a severe infection after a hospital stay, Graves McLain Injury Lawyers can help. Our team can review your case, investigate what happened, and guide you through the legal process. Getting answers—and justice—starts with understanding your rights.
Please make an appointment for a free consultation with GRAVES MACLAIN INJURY LAWYERS right now to find out how they can support your future.
When injury victims need a law firm with a reputation for excellence, turn to Graves McLain Injury Lawyers. We are a top-rated personal injury firm determined to be the best. With decades of award-winning representation, our clients recover the compensation they need to put their lives back together.
