Senior citizens are more susceptible to infections in nursing homes. Nursing homes are riskier for seniors because of the group-living environment. Residents are also more at risk of suffering serious side effects from untreated infections.
Nursing homes can be breeding grounds for infections if the facility’s employees neglect the residents. This same inattention that began the infection could also cause it to worsen if left untreated. When the resident finally receives treatment, the medical bills can be larger due to the worsening condition.
A Fort Worth untreated infections lawyer can help you seek reimbursement for financial losses you suffered as a result of an untreated infection. Contact our team at Pintas & Mullins Law Firm by calling (800) 842-6336.
Infections in Nursing Homes
Close living quarters are more likely to experience infections and disease. Nursing homes have to maintain a high level of cleanliness as a safety precaution. Some common bacteria that can cause infection include the following:
- Streptococcus, which causes strep throat
- Streptococcus pneumonia, which causes pneumonia
- Neisseria meningitidis, which causes meningitis
- Staphylococcus aureus, which causes sepsis
Any of the above infections can be life-threatening to someone older. Infections can also occur because of neglect – or being left alone for too long. Neglect is a form of elderly abuse, according to Texas Health and Human Services (HHS).
Staff members need to move non-mobile seniors every two or three hours, or they will get bedsores. Bedsores can become infectious if left untreated, which results in the skin opening up. Bedsores are very painful.
Likewise, non-mobile residents may go to the bathroom on themselves, which can cause infection if left. In addition to urinary tract infections, incontinent residents’ skin can become irritated and develop an infection from being in contact with urine and feces.
Because of their age, seniors have lower immunities making them more at risk for infections. Sepsis, in particular, can lead to shock if left untreated. Neglect in nursing homes can mean the difference between life and death.
They can also experience infections that they had before but reactivated because of their compromised immune system. Common ailments that can lead to infection include:
- Pneumonia
- Bacteria in urinary tracts
- Influenzas (the flu)
- Diabetes, from insulin shots
- Implants, such as cardiac devices and joint prostheses.
- Food poisoning
Not providing proper medical treatment is a form of abuse. When medical personnel do not treat infections, the patient can be in pain, be permanently affected, or die.
Nursing Home Lawsuits
Although a lawsuit cannot undo the damages your family member experienced, the awards can help you to not continue to suffer from the incident. From medical bills to compensation for undue pain, you have the right to seek reimbursement for your losses.
With an untreated infection claim, you can file a personal injury lawsuit. Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code § 16.003 states that you must start legal proceedings within two years of the personal injury. A Fort Worth untreated infections lawyer can investigate your claim and help you file properly.
If the untreated infection led to the passing of your family member, you might have a wrongful death lawsuit. You will have two years to file a wrongful death suit, according to the same Texas regulation above.
In most cases, the liable party is the nursing home. Although administering medical and wellness care is the staff’s responsibility, it is the company that is liable for the actions of its employees. This is why nursing homes have insurance policies to handle litigation.
The nursing home is responsible for:
- Hiring qualified staff members
- Training employees
- Keeping up with safety standards
- Meeting basic food, hygiene, and shelter needs
- Providing medical treatment
Contact us at Pintas & Mullins Law Firm if you believe that a nursing home is responsible for not treating your family member’s infection. Let us fight for you while you focus on taking care of your loved one.
Compensations from Untreated Infections
Financial awards can help reimburse you for your losses from an untreated infection. Medical treatments are expensive, but waiting for the condition to worsen can increase the cost of care. For instance, a simple antibiotic would have treated the initial infection. An untreated infection caught much later could require an expensive stay in an inpatient hospital.
Your biggest part of your sought compensation could be these related expenses. Medical bills, prescription receipts, and after-therapy invoices are all evidence of your financial loss. Make sure to include all expenses related to the incident, including ambulatory services, rented medical equipment, and additional support.
Likewise, the consequences of an untreated infection could lead to higher health care costs down the road. Medical records and professional testimony could illustrate how your family member’s health rapidly declined due to the untreated infection.
Although there is no fixed sum related to physical, mental, and emotional suffering, you may seek additional compensation for ‘pain and suffering.’ Untreated conditions can be very painful to the patient as well as their family. Watching someone you love hurt can be psychologically damaging.
If you missed work to help your family member because of the infection, you might be able to seek reimbursement for your lost wages. Paychecks and schedules can be proof of your past earnings and the time you could not work.
Other costs you can seek include burial and funeral costs if your family member passed.
For a free legal consultation with a Untreated Infections Lawyer serving Fort Worth, call (800) 842-6336
How We Can Help
In most cases, you do not deal with the nursing home directly. Instead, you will negotiate with the insurance company for your compensation. Insurance companies look to maintain their profits and will deny their policyholder is responsible. They may also try to give you the lowest amount.
At Pintas & Mullins Law Firm, we work on a contingency basis. This means you do not have upfront costs for our services. A Fort Worth untreated infections lawyer will look into your claim and may be able to help you and your family recover. Call us at (800) 842-6336.
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