The decision to entrust your loved one’s care to a nursing home can easily rank as one of the most emotionally difficult decisions you will make in your life. In most instances, elder care providers understand the weight and responsibility placed upon them and rise to the task. Unfortunately, this is not always the case.
Preventable accidents, intentional abuse, and negligent caregivers and facilities do exist and can cause unnecessary injuries and immeasurable pain and suffering to an already compromised population.
If you have any concerns regarding your loved one’s living conditions, psychological well being, or recent injuries, a nursing home injury lawyer can provide legal representation and guidance.
Pintas & Mullins Law Firm has been providing compassionate legal services for over 30 years. Our lawyers have represented victims of nursing home abuse across the United States. A Louisiana nursing home injury lawyer might be able to help you with your case.
Call (800) 842-6336 today for a risk-free consultation. Our legal team will review your case, advise you on your rights, and act as your advocate as you proceed with fighting for justice for your family.
Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect
Preventable nursing home injuries fall into one of two categories: nursing home abuse or neglect. Abuse includes any intentional act of physical, emotional, or sexual abuse. Neglect, on the other hand, speaks to the indifference toward elderly residents’ physical and emotional wellbeing.
If you have noticed a sudden change in your loved one’s emotional state or have witnessed a staff member ignore their needs or the needs of other patients, consider these additional signs of nursing home abuse and negligence:
● Unexplained bruises
● Loss of appetite
● Psychological issues, including anxiety and depression
● Poor personal hygiene
If one or more of these signs are present, your concerns may be valid, and you could be legally entitled to compensation. A nursing home abuse and neglect lawyer can advise and support you as you begin a claim process.
Understanding Louisiana’s Nursing Home Injury Laws
After witnessing an alarming uptick in cases of abuse and negligence within nursing home facilities, the Nursing Home Reform Act was passed in 1987. Not only does this act set guidelines for patients’ rights, but it also protects each individual’s right to the “highest practicable” physical, mental, and psychological well being.
Louisiana state law offers a number of legal protections to nursing home residents and their families. Injuries suffered as a result of nursing home abuse or negligence might fall under three legal categories: personal injury, medical malpractice, and wrongful death.
Furthermore, Louisiana’s Abuse and Neglect of Adults Act, per the Louisiana Revised Statutes (RS) §14:403.2, holds all nursing home personnel accountable for reporting any acts of abuse or neglect they witness and prevents those in power from retaliating against patients or families who bring forth complaints of negligence or abuse.
The previously mentioned Louisiana legal code gives the families of nursing home injury victims up to one year to bring a claim against a negligent nursing home facility or provider, per RS §9:5628. If you think your case falls outside this statute of limitations, there are a few exceptions to the statute, and a personal injury lawyer can guide you on how to proceed.
For a free legal consultation, call (800) 842-6336
Advocate for Your Loved One’s Rights
While nursing home accident types can and do vary, there are a few that show up annually. Falls are the most common nursing home accidents and can be the result of intentional abuse, inadequate staff training, or a lack of attention to patients’ needs.
If your loved one is showing signs of physical or emotional abuse or neglect, it is up to you to speak up as their voice as soon as possible.
Some examples of nursing home injuries include:
- Bedsores
- Broken and fractured bones
- Choking
- Bruises
- Psychological abuse
- Financial exploitation
- Malnutrition and dehydration
If a preventable incident at a nursing home resulted in your loved one’s injuries, and that incident was the result of negligence, you could have a damages claim against the responsible party. Some responsible parties in your case could include a negligent caregiver or the nursing home’s administration.
How a Louisiana Nursing Home Injury Lawyer Can Help
If you suspect that your loved one’s injuries are the result of negligence or abuse, you have legal options and may be entitled to seek financial compensation. Stand up for your loved one and let us fight for their right to be treated with the dignity and respect they deserve.
Some compensable losses in your nursing home injury case include:
- Pain and suffering
- Medical bills
- Loss of income
Most medical malpractice claims operate under a $500,000 damages cap. However, this excludes the cost of necessary additional medical treatment. If additional surgeries have been required, a nursing home injury lawyer from our law firm may still be able to secure you adequate compensation for the cost of your loved one’s medical treatment.
Call (800) 842-6336 to speak to a member of our team and see if a nursing home injury lawyer at Pintas & Mullins Law Firm can help you with your case today.
We will review your case free of charge and guide you on how to best proceed. If you decide to move forward with a claim, we will handle all communications with your loved one’s nursing home facility and medical providers, complete all required paperwork, and litigate for you in court, if necessary. We will fight tirelessly for the best possible outcome for you and your loved one.
Call or text (800) 842-6336 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form