The duty that a nursing home owes to its residents is comprehensive. These facilities must see to their residents’ complex medical care as well as meet their basic day-to-day needs. One of those basic needs is nutrition.
Nursing homes are required to ensure every resident has their individual nutritional needs provided for. This requires careful steps toward dietary planning as well as actively working to ensure a resident eats their meals.
The majority of nursing homes take this duty seriously. Unfortunately, many nursing homes in Louisiana fail in this duty. If your loved one has suffered from malnutrition due to the negligence of a nursing home, they could be entitled to a monetary award.
Let the attorneys of the Pintas & Mullins Law Firm assist your family through this challenging time. Call (800) 842-6336 to schedule your free consultation about working with a Louisiana malnutrition lawyer.
Malnutrition in a Nursing Home
There is a growing awareness of the severity of malnutrition throughout American nursing homes. According to PubMed, roughly one in five nursing home residents face malnutrition at some point. The journal goes on to say that, depending on how broadly malnutrition is defined, as many as 65% of nursing home residents are malnourished.
Certain conditions among nursing home residents can increase the likelihood of malnutrition. Residents that suffer from cognitive issues like dementia or Alzheimer’s may be unable to eat without help. Others with physical impairments might need special accommodations in order to obtain the nourishment their body needs to live.
Depression is another common factor in malnutrition. Nursing home residents facing depression are often uninterested in eating. These residents require the careful watch of nursing home staff members to ensure their needs are being met.
Not all instances of malnutrition occur as the result of a resident’s physical, cognitive, or emotional limitations. In many cases, the negligence of the nursing facility or its staff will play a central role in the malnourishment of your loved one. By failing to address the particular needs of each nursing home resident, they could face civil liability for any health complications that occur.
Signs of Malnutrition
According to the Mayo Clinic, there are a number of signs of malnutrition among nursing home residents. The most obvious physical symptom is unexplained weight loss. As a resident misses out on the nutrients they need to survive, their body mass shrinks in an effort to survive.
There are other common signs of malnutrition, as well. The lack of important nutrients can result in fatigue or cold sensations. Missing out on important vitamins and minerals can also lead to deteriorating eyesight. It can also have a negative impact on your loved one’s cognitive ability.
Malnutrition can also cause underlying conditions to flare up. This is especially true with conditions like diabetes. In a worst-case scenario, the health consequences related to malnutrition can be fatal.
If you are concerned that your loved one is malnourished, the first step is to sit with them at meals. If you notice they are unable or unwilling to eat, it could be a sign of malnutrition.
Unfortunately, many cases of malnutrition are due to the negligence of the nursing home and its staff. To determine if your loved one is the victim of negligence, reach out to the team at Pintas & Mullins Law Firm as soon as possible. Our Louisiana malnutrition lawyer can advise you on your loved one’s legal rights.
For a free legal consultation, call (800) 842-6336
An Aggressive Approach to Malnutrition Claims
Our firm never backs down from tough cases. We are driven to advocate for nursing home residents who cannot fight back on their own. When the negligent acts of a nursing home leave their resident malnourished, we work without delay to hold the facility and its owners accountable.
Our team is prepared to assist your family through every aspect of a nursing home fall accident claim. Not only could your loved one’s claim result in compensation for their struggles, but it could also ensure no other senior has to go through the same experience at that facility. Some of the ways our firm can assist with your loved one’s case include:
- Investigating the facts surrounding the case
- Identifying all of the responsible parties
- Pursuing a civil lawsuit on behalf of your loved one
- Serving as your loved one’s advocate
- Negotiating a settlement with the nursing home and their insurance company
- Representing your loved one during trials or mediations
- Compiling medical records
- Interviewing potential witnesses
Why the Initial Consultation Matters
Hiring the right attorney is crucial to your loved one’s claim. Before you can truly determine if an attorney will be a good fit, it is vital to first take part in an initial consultation. During this consultation, you and your loved one can ask questions about the legal process or what to expect from your claim.
At Pintas & Mullins Law Firm, we understand the value of an initial consultation. Most people do not have easy access to advice from an attorney. That is why every consultation with our firm is free. We take the time to speak with prospective clients who are under no obligation to select us as their attorneys. If you do choose us, you do not owe us anything until we recover compensation for you.
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Your Loved One Could Recover Compensation Due to Malnutrition
Discovering that your loved one has suffered from malnutrition is often unsettling. While accidents happen in nursing homes, few families expect to learn their loved one is malnourished.
Nursing homes owe a duty to meet the basic needs of their residents. With the help of a Louisiana malnutrition lawyer from Pintas & Mullins Law Firm, you can hold a negligent nursing home accountable for their failures. To get started, call (800) 842-6336 for your free consultation today.
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