World Sepsis Day 2025: from awareness to action

World Sepsis Day is observed globally on 13^th September every year to raise awareness of sepsis and reduce sepsis-related deaths.

The theme of this year’s World Sepsis Day is ‘5 Facts x 5 Actions’. In this blog, our medical negligence solicitors explore some of those facts and what can be done to prevent sepsis-related deaths.

What is sepsis?

Sepsis is defined by the UK’s National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) as a “life-threatening organ dysfunction caused by a dysregulated host response to an infection”.

This means that the body’s response to an existing infection becomes extreme, and the response itself starts to cause damage to tissues and organs. The exact reason why this happens is still unknown.

Who can get sepsis?

Anyone can get sepsis, and it can start from bacterial, viral or fungal infections.

Certain groups are more vulnerable to getting sepsis because they have weakened immune systems, for example, older people and very young children.

Our expert medical negligence lawyers, who specialise in sepsis compensation claims, too often come across sepsis-related deaths in patients being treated in hospital, as those with chronic diseases are at a higher risk due to their weakened immune system.

Case study | £37,000 for woman who died after developing sepsis from untreated pressure sores

Why is sepsis so dangerous?

If not identified early and treated promptly, sepsis can lead to septic shock, multi-organ failure and death.

According to the organisers of World Sepsis Day, sepsis is responsible for one in five deaths globally. The World Health Organisation lists sepsis as one of the most frequent causes of death worldwide, and that half of sepsis-related deaths are in children under five years of age.

Even patients who survive can, unfortunately, suffer the consequences of sepsis for the rest of their lives.

Sepsis is a medical emergency, so it is important to be able to identify the signs. 

What are the signs of sepsis?

The organisers of World Sepsis Day are promoting the acronym ‘SEPSIS’ to help people identify the signs:

• Slurred speech or confusion
• Extreme shivering or muscle pain, fever
• Passing no urine all day
• Severe breathlessness
• It feels like you’re going to die
• Skin mottled or discoloured

If you suspect you or someone else is suffering from sepsis, you should call 999 immediately.

Sepsis medical negligence claims

Sepsis often presents as a deterioration of common and preventable infections, which means that it is frequently underdiagnosed at an early stage. If caught early enough, it is potentially reversible.

However, if not diagnosed and treated early, the impact on the patient can be catastrophic. Our medical negligence lawyers are experienced in bringing sepsis compensation claims.

Martha’s Rule

Martha Mills, aged 13, went to hospital in 2021 with an injury to her pancreas after falling off her bicycle. The warning signs of sepsis were brushed off by treating clinicians, despite the family raising concerns.

Sadly, Martha died, and her family have campaigned ever since for Martha’s Rule; an initiative that gives patients and their families more power to seek a second opinion when they feel they aren’t being heard by their current doctor.

Recently, it was announced that Martha’s Rule would be rolled out across all acute hospital settings in England.

This will be a vital tool for families to raise concerns where they think the signs of sepsis have been missed by treating clinicians. This will help save the lives of those who may otherwise have been overlooked.

“Patients can find it very difficult to advocate for themselves and overcome the authority bias of a doctor. It is very encouraging to see the rollout of Martha’s Rule; the hope is that this creates more opportunities for life-saving care. I have a huge amount of respect for the Mills family for their work on this in such tragic circumstances.”

– Charlotte Tracy, Senior Associate

You can read more about Martha’s Rule in this blog.

Further information about sepsis

If you or a loved one has been affected by a delay in diagnosing sepsis or sepsis misdiagnosis, our specialist clinical negligence solicitors may be able to help.

Our expert lawyers have extensive experience in sepsis compensation claims. To discuss your case in confidence, call us on 0117 325 2929 or fill out our online enquiry form.