When you place your parents or spouse in a nursing home, you assume that they are in the best place for around-the-clock attention. You can expect a nursing home to care for your loved one’s emotional and physical needs, as well as their medical needs, promptly and satisfactorily.
You should also assume that your loved one is carefully examined and swiftly treated in case of any newly occurring illnesses or infections. In fact, qualified staff such as registered nurses and visiting physicians, should monitor your loved one regularly and promptly treat them.
It can come as a shock then, to find out that your much-loved family member suffered pain and anguish unnecessarily and for prolonged periods with untreated or inadequately treated infections that, as a result, have wreaked havoc on their health.
Perhaps the worst happened and your loved one passed away as a result of untreated infections in a nursing home. You are not powerless and may be able to hold the nursing home to account by filing a personal injury lawsuit or wrongful death claim.
Taking on a nursing home can be tiring, stressful, and complicated, but we can recommend a course of action and help you weigh your options. A Forest View untreated infections lawyer today may be able to help if you call for a complimentary appointment. We will listen to your concerns, analyze your unique case, and answer any pressing questions. Call Pintas & Mullins Law Firm now.
Untreated Infections in Nursing Homes
Nursing home residents are typically not in optimum health due to their advanced age and having a less efficient immune system. Many nursing home residents also suffer from medical conditions that can render them frail and in delicate health.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), infections in nursing homes contribute to large amounts of hospitalization and death among residents. Short-staffing is a contributor to hospitalization and death of nursing home residents from infections such as pneumonia and sepsis, among others.
Common Infections in Nursing Homes
Many infections start off as relatively harmless and are easily treatable. However, for elderly nursing home residents, a seemingly harmless infection, if not treated promptly, can be fatal.
Some of the most common infections in nursing homes include the following:
- Respiratory tract infections
- Infections of the skin and soft tissues
- Urinary tract infections
The NCBI also states that the most common endemic infections in nursing homes are gastroenteritis, influenza, and skin infections.
There are, of course, many other infections and illnesses that can affect nursing home residents. While it is possible to treat many of these infections simply with antibiotics and good wound care, leaving them untreated for too long can be a death sentence for an elderly person.
For a free legal consultation with a Untreated Infections Lawyer serving Forest View, call (800) 794-0444
The Danger of Untreated Infections
It is a form of elder neglect if a nursing home is not treating its residents’ infections promptly and adequately. Many initially harmless infections, for example, urinary tract infections (UTIs) or skin infections, are easily treated and resolved.
However, if left untreated, some of these infections can be fatal. A lingering UTI infection, for example, can lead to kidney failure and sepsis. Sepsis is a life-threatening condition that develops fast.
Pressure ulcers, also known as bedsores, are excruciatingly painful for the affected persons and a common complaint in nursing homes. If left untreated for too long, they can eat into the bone and result in a fatal secondary infection such as septicemia.
Forest View Untreated Infections Lawyer Near Me (800) 794-0444
Holding a Nursing Home to Account
Nursing homes, by law, have a responsibility towards their residents to make sure they receive adequate medical care. The Nursing Home Reform Act of 1987 specifically stipulates that a nursing home must not only ensure the physical, mental, and psycho-social well-being of their residents, but must also meet the medical and nursing needs of its residents.
There can be many reasons why and how a nursing home fails to uphold its responsibilities and duties. For example, it may be extremely profit-driven with a high resident to staff ratio, or fail to provide the services of qualified medical staff that can address any illnesses and infections promptly.
A nursing home that fails to deal with the illnesses and infections of residents may be held liable for neglect. You could receive an award if your loved one suffered from or passed away from untreated infections. A Forest View untreated infections lawyer can assist you with your case is many ways, including gathering proof of negligence.
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A Forest View Untreated Infections Lawyer Can Help
Filing a lawsuit against a nursing home, collecting evidence and witnesses, and building a case is often consuming. The team at Pintas & Mullins Law Firm takes your concerns seriously and can help you find out whether filing a lawsuit is the right decision for you.
If your loved one suffered from nursing home neglect and suffers mental and physical pain resulting from untreated infections, you may receive an award that could help with past and future medical bills, as well as offer some compensation for any anguish and pain.
You may be able to file a wrongful death lawsuit if your loved one passed away due to an untreated infection.
Call our dedicated team at Pintas & Mullins Law Firm today. We will advise you absolutely free of charge. There are no up-front costs associated with our services as we work on contingency.
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