The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently released alarming statistics. According to the report, elder abuse occurs in 1 in 10 nursing home residents annually. This can include physical, emotional, sexual, and financial abuse.
With a current rate of over one-million reports of nursing home abuse a year, families of nursing home residents owe it to their loved ones to stay knowledgeable about their rights and advocate for the safety and wellbeing of elderly spouses or parents.
Pintas & Mullins Law Firms has over 50 years of experience combined representing the families of nursing home abuse victims across the country. To further assist our clients, a Louisiana bruises lawyer can travel to you, and we only collect a fee when you settle your claim. If your loved one has been the victim of nursing home abuse, call (800) 842-6336 for a free consultation today.
Bruises and Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect
Most elder care abuse cases fall under one of two umbrella categories. Nursing home abuse includes any intentional act of physical, emotional, or financial abuse. Neglect, on the other hand, refers to a failure to uphold a prescribed duty of care. This duty of care refers to the facility’s responsibility to care for the physical and emotional wellbeing of every resident.
Often unintentional, neglect is a form of abuse and frequently a byproduct of inadequate staffing and training. Repeated incidents of neglect can speak to underlying, systemic issues within the nursing home facility. Negligence can take the form of serving meals that lack nutrition, failure to offer adequate supervision, inadequate staff to patient ratio, and failure to assist residents with basic personal hygiene tasks. Each of these acts leaves patients at increased risks for injuries that include, but are not limited to, bruising.
One of the most common signs of abuse or neglect, bruises can range in their degree of severity and refer to any soft tissue injury that causes discoloration of the skin and is caused by trauma.
Common Bruising Types Include:
- Subcutaneous bruises that occur beneath the skin
- Intramuscular bruises that occur in the underlying muscle
- Periosteal bruises that occur on the bone
Recognizing When Bruising Is a Sign of Abuse or Negligence
While family members may dismiss bruises as minor injuries and not automatically assume neglect or abuse to be the cause, the reality is that bruising can be indicative of other (more complicated) illnesses and often results from negligence, poor nutrition, and the lack of necessary walking accommodations.
If a loved one is suddenly displaying one or more bruises, take notes, ask questions, and ensure adequate care is being provided. An attorney can work with you to assess whether abuse or negligence played a part in the injury, communicate with healthcare providers and nursing home administration, and file a claim on your behalf if warranted.
Signs of Abuse or Neglect Include:
- Bruises or other physical injuries and illnesses
- Sudden changes in emotional wellbeing that would include anxiety and depression
- Loss of appetite
- Poor personal hygiene
Residents of nursing homes are already in a vulnerable position and may be worried about reporting an incident of neglect or abuse or complaining about injuries. As their spouse or child, it is critical that you understand and be able to recognize the signs of abuse or neglect. If your loved one is showing signs of abuse or neglect, a Louisiana bruises lawyer can help fight to protect them.
For a free legal consultation, call (800) 842-6336
Pintas & Mullins Law Firm Can Recover Compensation for You
As a resident of a Louisiana nursing home, the state grants your loved one with a set of rights that must be adhered to, or there are consequences. Referred to as the Patient Bill of Rights, the document spells out the right to informed decision making, physical and emotional safety, and transparency with family members. Negligence and abuse, in any form, are clearly prohibited against elderly people.
Nursing home abuse can take many forms and is often hidden behind closed doors. Your loved one deserves to spend their retirement years in a caring and safe environment. If your spouse or parent shows signs of bruising that you believe to be the result of nursing home abuse or neglect, it is up to you to stand up for their rights.
In the aftermath of the discovery of potential neglect or abuse, the next actions can be important. Document all bruises, inquire with the staff as to the origin of the bruising, and contact a lawyer to determine whether you have a viable case for a personal injury claim. Louisiana Revised Statutes (RS) §9:5268 states that nursing home victims and their families have up to one year from the day the injury is discovered to file a claim.
Some recoverable losses in your case may include:
- Compensation for the development of mental health complications, such as depression, anxiety, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- The cost of relocating to a new care facility
- Your loved one’s pain and suffering
- Financial recovery for the medical treatment your loved one needed
Your loved one deserves physical and emotional safety. If this is not what they have experienced within their nursing home facility, they deserve justice for the abuse and neglect they have suffered.
The personal injury lawyers at Pintas & Mullins Law Firm are on your side. Our team will fight for the rights of victims of nursing home abuse. Call (800) 842-6336 for a free consultation to determine how to protect you and your family’s rights.
Call or text (800) 842-6336 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form