If you were treated in a hospital and got an infection as a result, you’re not alone. According to a report published in 2024 by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1 in 31 patients has a hospital-acquired infection (HAI) at any given time.[1]
Impacted patients sometimes file hospital-acquired infection lawsuits to receive compensation for their damages. Unfortunately, though, it can take a long time to reach an appropriate settlement, potentially leaving the plaintiff in a difficult financial position.
Pre-settlement funding could put the cash you need in your bank account fast. If you and your attorney think you have a strong case, apply for hospital-acquired infection pre-settlement funding today.
Key Takeaways
- Hospital-acquired infection malpractice is a common occurrence, despite most infections being preventable.[2]
- Infections range from mild and easily treatable to treatment-resistant and deadly.[2]
- The average HAI settlement is around $250,000, but cases involving death could reach seven figures.[4]
- Your settlement amount will be based on the severity of your injuries, the financial impact of the infection, the pain and suffering you experienced, and other factors.[5]
- Pre-settlement funding could help you bridge the financial gap while you wait for an appropriate settlement offer.
What Are Hospital-Acquired Infections (HAIs)?
HAIs are infections you get while being treated in a hospital, and can be bacterial, viral, or fungal in nature. Generally, HAIs are avoidable when the medical facility adheres to strict infection prevention protocols.[2]
However, HAIs are still common, with more than 500,000 patients and providers developing one every year. Plus, immunocompromised patients are at greater risk of contracting an infection.[2]
Some of the most common HAIs include:[2]
- Surgical site infection (SSI). SSI occurs when a surgical patient develops an infection in their incision, deep tissue, organ, or implant.
- Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP). This infection occurs when germs enter a patient’s lungs through a breathing tube.
- Methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). This common staph infection doesn’t respond to several antibiotics, making it difficult to treat.
- Clostridioides difficile (C. diff). This common, often recurring infection causes diarrhea and inflammation of the colon.
- Catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI). Nearly one-third of HAIs are CAUTIs. The condition generally develops when a patient uses a catheter for a long time.
- Central line-associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI). This infection occurs when germs enter the central line, a tube placed near the heart that allows the patient to receive blood and medication easily.
Some HAIs are mild, making recovery relatively fast and easy. However, others are unfortunately lethal. More than 99,000 people die from HAIs in the United States every year.[2]
Important note: For your illness to be considered an HAI, you must have contracted it within 48 hours of admission, three days after discharge, or 30 days after surgery.[2]
Can You Sue for a Hospital-Acquired Infection?
Before you file a hospital-acquired infection lawsuit, you need to make sure you have a case. You must be able to prove provider negligence or medical malpractice.[3]
For instance, you may have grounds for a lawsuit if you can demonstrate that the hospital didn’t meet the required standard of care or follow proper infection prevention protocols. Perhaps your room was unsanitary, the surgeon didn’t correctly sanitize their instruments, or the nurses didn’t closely monitor you for signs of infection.[3]
You also have to prove that negligence or malpractice caused damages. For example, if you incurred additional hospital bills, lost wages, or suffered from intense pain due to your HAI, you may be entitled to compensation.[3]
Supporting documentation is your friend here. Medical records, expert testimony from an infectious disease authority, before and after photographs, and evidence of deviance from hospital protocol can all help you make a strong case in court.[3]
What’s the Average Settlement Amount for Hospital-Acquired Infection Malpractice?
The average settlement amount for hospital-acquired infection malpractice is around a quarter of a million dollars. However, your case may be worth more or less than that amount. For instance, cases involving wrongful death can result in seven-figure settlements.[4]
Factors That Determine Settlement Amount
There are several factors that can influence your settlement amount, including, but not limited to:[5]
- The severity of the infection. Will you fully recover, or will you be permanently affected? Are you now disabled? Has the quality of your life or your life expectancy been diminished?
- The financial consequences. Will you need ongoing, expensive care? Will you be out of work for a long time (or permanently)? If so, how much will you lose in wages and benefits?
- The emotional impacts. Do you experience a lot of pain and suffering? Are you now anxious, depressed, or dealing with another mental health concern?
- The strength of your case. Do you have a lot of supporting documentation? Have you found witnesses to testify on your behalf? Can you prove that the hospital failed to meet the required standards of care?
In general, your settlement may be on the lower end if your infection was minor and you returned to your normal work and life routine relatively quickly. On the other hand, your settlement may be on the higher side if you sustained permanent physical or mental damage and significant financial losses. Your attorney can help determine what settlement amount you can expect.
When an HAI Lawsuit Loan Might Make Sense
You were being treated in a hospital for an unrelated condition and wound up contracting an infection while in the facility. Suddenly, your life has been turned upside down. You planned to be out of work for a certain amount of time, but now, you’re not sure when you’ll be able to go back – if ever.
Stuck in a hospital bed, watching the medical bills roll in, and your everyday bills pile up. You start to panic. You don’t have a lot of money in savings, and you don’t want to take on even more debt when you don’t have the income to repay it.
Your lawyer says you have a good case and that you’ll eventually receive a nice payout for your trouble. However, you can’t wait weeks or even months to get that money (and neither can your creditors).
If this sounds familiar, you may be a good candidate for an HAI lawsuit loan. Pre-settlement funding, also known as a lawsuit loan, can put cash in your bank account fast. That way, you have the resources you need to stay afloat while you wait for your case to be settled.
And the best part is, if you lose your case and don’t receive a settlement, you don’t have to repay the amount you were advanced.
Who Qualifies for HAI Pre-Settlement Funding?
Here’s what you’ll need to qualify for HAI pre-settlement funding:
- An attorney working for you on a contingency basis (they don’t get paid unless you win)[6]
- An active lawsuit against the hospital or provider
- A strong case with sufficient supporting evidence
- Serious injuries (physical, mental, emotional, financial, or otherwise)
Here’s what you don’t need to be eligible: good credit. We aren’t concerned about your credit score. We base our funding decisions on the merits of each case.
Hospital-Acquired Infection Lawsuit Funding Process
If you’re interested in obtaining pre-settlement funding, here’s how to do it:
- Hire an attorney on a contingency basis (if you haven’t already). They can guide you through the legal process and help you get the best settlement offer possible.
- File a lawsuit. Your lawyer will prepare and submit the required paperwork.
- Apply for your lawsuit loan. Your lawyer will work closely with USClaims during this step.
- Receive your money in as little as 24 business hours (if approved).* Use the funds to pay your bills while you wait for your settlement.
- Learn the outcome of your case. If you win, your attorney will pay us back in one lump sum from the settlement proceeds. If you lose, you owe us nothing.
Don’t worry if questions come up along the way. Contact us anytime.
Benefits of HAI Lawsuit Loans
HAI pre-settlement funding has many benefits. Here are the most notable perks:
Pay Your Bills on Time
It’s scary when your bills start to pile up, and you have no money coming in. Depending on the details of your case, you could be eligible for up to $1,000,000 in pre-settlement funding.
You can use that cash to pay your bills on time. That way, your credit score doesn’t take a hit, and you can avoid taking on expensive debt to make ends meet.
You Can Wait for a Higher Settlement Amount
If money’s tight, you may be tempted to accept the first (potentially low-ball) settlement offer you receive. However, if you have funds from a lawsuit loan sitting in your bank account, you’re empowered to wait for the compensation amount you deserve.
Nonrecourse Means No Risk
Getting pre-settlement funding is a risk-free action you can take to improve your financial situation while you’re in the middle of a personal injury lawsuit. Pre-settlement funding is nonrecourse. That means you don’t have to pay us back unless you win your case.
No Restrictions on How You Use the Funds
We don’t care how you spend the money from your lawsuit loan. We don’t impose any restrictions, and we don’t require you to submit receipts. The money is yours to use as you see fit.
However, many plaintiffs use the funds to cover their everyday living expenses until they receive their settlement. Each person’s situation is different, but you might consider using your pre-settlement funding to cover your rent or mortgage, utilities, groceries, minimum debt payments, insurance premiums, and other important bills.
There Are No Monthly Payments
Pre-settlement funding isn’t a traditional loan, so you won’t need to make monthly payments. Instead, you’ll repay us in a lump sum if you win your case.
See How HAI Lawsuit Funding Has Helped People Like You
with USC in the past. USC does not control the content of such reviews.
Where USClaims Provides Funding
We’re proud to provide HAI lawsuit funding in most states. Unfortunately, though, we’re unable to issue advances in Arkansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Montana, West Virginia, and Washington, D.C.
Get the Financial Support You Need During Your HAI Lawsuit
Dealing with an HAI and the related lawsuit can be very challenging – especially when you add financial stress to the mix. Pre-settlement funding can help you get the money you need today while you wait for a fair compensation offer in the future.
The funding process is straightforward and fast, and there’s no risk involved. If you don’t win, you don’t pay us back.
Apply now or call us today at 1-877-USCLAIMS to learn more.
Hospital-Acquired Infection Settlement Funding FAQs
Can you sue a hospital if you get an infection?
What is the compensation for hospital-acquired infections?
Sources
- U.S. Centers For Disease Control And Prevention. “HAI and Antimicrobial Use Prevalence Surveys.” 17 Apr. 2024. https://www.cdc.gov/healthcare-associated-infections/php/haic-eip/antibiotic-use.html
- Cleveland Clinic. “Nosocomial Infections (Healthcare-Associated Infections).” https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/16397-avoiding-healthcare-associated-infections-hais
- Sullivan Papain. “Can You Sue for Infections Acquired in Hospitals?” https://www.triallaw1.com/can-you-sue-for-infections-acquired-in-hospitals/
- Miller & Zois Attorneys at Law. “How Much Is a Medical Malpractice Case Worth in 2025?” https://www.millerandzois.com/medical-malpractice/medical-malpractice-settlement-worth/
- Injury Compensation. “Medical Malpractice Settlement Amounts: What Your Case Could Be Worth in 2025.” https://www.injurycompensation.legal/blog/medical-malpractice-settlement-amounts-what-your-case-could/
- Peck, Spencer. Peck Law Corp. “Lawyers That Work on Contingency: What Does it Mean for You?” https://www.pecklawcorp.com/blog/hiring-lawyers-that-work-on-contingency
*Funding subject to approval. We typically fund within 24 business-day hours after we receive a fully-executed contract. Additional restrictions may apply. Contact for details.
**2X CAP may not be applicable for all types of cases and/or jurisdictions.
Disclaimer: Throughout this website, the term “loan” may be used for convenience to describe pre-settlement funding. However, such transactions are not loans in the legal sense. Repayment is strictly contingent upon the successful resolution of your case. If your case is unsuccessful, no repayment is required. Common terms like “lawsuit loan” are used colloquially but misrepresent the nonrecourse nature of pre-settlement funding.
