Infections and diseases, particularly those spread from person to person, can be especially dangerous in communal living situations, such as nursing homes. Nursing home staff must be vigilant about preventing, identifying, treating, and stopping the spread of infectious diseases.
Frequent infections and diseases, and the failure to prevent and treat them, could be signs of negligent nursing home care and unsanitary living conditions. If your loved one has suffered because of an infection or disease contracted in their nursing home, reach out to a Dallas infections outbreak and disease lawyer who can help you explore your legal options.
With the help of Pintas & Mullins Law Firm, you might be able to hold the nursing facility financially responsible for your loved one’s medical expenses and other damages. Call us at (800) 842-6336 to schedule a free consultation.
Older Adults May Be More Prone to Infections and Diseases
According to MedlinePlus, our immune systems naturally weaken with age. This makes us more susceptible to illnesses and infections and slows wound healing. It also means that some conditions, like urinary tract infections (UTIs), which may be relatively minor in younger individuals, can cause serious health problems in older adults.
In fact, UTIs in seniors can cause confusion and agitation and may increase the risk of falls.
Respiratory infections, such as influenza, can spread quickly and easily in institutional settings. Pneumonia and lower respiratory infections are the leading cause of death among nursing home residents. They are also a primary reason they receive hospital care, according to Aging Health.
Viral and bacterial diseases that cause diarrhea, such as norovirus and gastroenteritis, can be dangerous, causing severe dehydration and fatality in the elderly. Nursing homes may also be breeding grounds for soft tissue infections, including scabies and herpes.
A Nursing Home Is Responsible for Your Loved One’s Care and Living Conditions
A lack of personal hygiene and an unclean environment can bring on infections and diseases. It is the nursing home staff’s responsibility to make sure the facility is clean and disinfected. This is especially important when there is a high risk of infection, such as a known disease in the facility or during cold and flu season. Facilities should take every possible measure to protect vulnerable nursing home residents from infectious outbreaks and diseases.
The staff also owes your loved one a duty of care. Many nursing home residents have physical health problems and cognitive impairments that require assistance with bathing, hand washing, dressing, using the bathroom, and maintaining clean hair, teeth, and fingernails. A lack of personal hygiene can encourage the spread of disease. Not to mention, it is neglectful on the part of staff not to ensure your loved one is clean and well-cared for.
Poor hygiene, unhealthy living conditions, and infectious disease outbreaks can be signs of neglect or abuse. If you are worried about your loved one’s care, contact a Dallas infections outbreak and disease lawyer to help you look into the facility and its staff.
If neglect or intentional wrongdoing caused your loved one’s suffering, a lawyer might be able to help you seek awards. Call Pintas & Mullins Law Firm today to schedule a free consultation. We can review your situation and answer your questions as you consider your next steps.
For a free legal consultation with a Dallas Infections Outbreak and Disease Lawyer serving Dallas, call (800) 794-0444
Texas Law Guarantees a High Standard of Nursing Home Care
Texas takes the health and safety of its elderly residents seriously. Texas Health and Safety Code §247.001 outlines the standards nursing homes must legally uphold. The law states that facilities must:
- Provide safe surroundings
- Strictly monitor the health, welfare, dignity, and safety of every resident
- Provide personal care services
- Ensure each resident’s quality of life
- Treat residents humanely
Failing to uphold these standards may warrant a complaint to the Texas Department of Aging and Disabilities (DADS). The DADS agency has the authority to investigate complaints and allegations of abuse and neglect.
It has the power to shut down facilities that violate the laws. If warranted, DADS can prosecute nursing home facilities. You can find out more information about DADS and how to report abuse to the Attorney General of Texas.
Dallas Dallas Infections Outbreak and Disease Lawyer Near Me (800) 794-0444
How to Seek Awards for Your Loved One
A Dallas infections outbreak and disease lawyer might be able to help you recover the costs of your loved one’s medical treatment and nursing home expenses through a claim against the facility’s liability insurance policy. However, in some instances, you may want or need to pursue your case in civil court.
A lawsuit allows you to seek awards for your loved one’s economic damages, such as medical care and physical therapy, as well as non-economic damages, such as mental anguish, physical pain, and reduced quality of life. In a wrongful death lawsuit, noneconomic damages may also include loss of companionship or society.
The time you have to take your case to court is limited. This is known as the statute of limitations. In Texas, it is two years for personal injury and wrongful death, according to the Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code §16.003.
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Contact the Pintas & Mullins Law Firm for Help Today
At Pintas & Mullins Law Firm, we want to help our clients recover from nursing home injuries in every way possible. We understand that the legal process can seem overwhelming, but a Dallas infections outbreak and disease lawyer can guide you through it and aim to help you win the awards you need to continue to care for your loved one.
To learn more about how we can represent you, call us today at (800) 842-6336 for a free consultation.
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