You take your mom or dad to a professional care facility because of guarantees of protection, standards of care, and other assurances of the high quality of staff and attention provided by its expert staff. If bruises develop during your loved one’s stay at a nursing home, it is the duty of the nurse in charge to describe to you, as the caregiver, how those bruises happened.
Bruising can also be a sign of neglect or violence, so let us help you if you are left wondering about the circumstances of a loved one that has occurred at a nursing home.
For help with your nursing home bruises case, call Pintas & Mullins Law Firm at (800) 842-6336.
Signs of Potential Abuse
The National Institute of Justice (NIJ) has identified signs to look out for when you suspect that the mistreatment of the elderly may have occurred at a nursing home. These signs include various components of staff behaviors, inconsistencies, facility characteristics, and physical condition and quality of care.
Types and Causes of Bruises in a Nursing Home
A bruise is an injury to soft tissues that cause skin discoloration. Bruises often cause physical damage to the discolored area. Some people bruise relatively easily, while others appear to have greater resilience to bruising. Based on their body position, there are three primary forms of bruises that your loved one may experience while in a nursing home. These types of bruises include:
- Subcutaneous: This type of bruise happens only under the skin surface.
- Intramuscular: These bruises are found in the muscles.
- Periosteal: This type of bruise appears on the bones.
Since they have delicate capillaries and thinner skin, seniors are more susceptible to bruises than younger adults. The skin gets thinner as you grow old and the protective fatty layer that helps to cushion blood vessels diminishes. This is why you may notice that bruises tend to last longer than normal in older individuals.
Some medicines can also be a cause of bruising. For older people, most of these drugs are popular medications. For example, arthritis drugs such as ibuprofen and naproxen can interfere with blood clotting. Some blood-thinning drugs can be another cause of bruising. These drugs inhibit the capacity of the body to clot, contributing to an increase in bruising.
Frequently, a family member may not be able to detect when the elderly are victims of violence. Because of potential cognitive disabilities, anxiety, shame, or even the inability to recall any violent episodes, the elderly may not express mistreatment that may have occurred at nursing homes.
If you suspect any foul play, ask the staff members regarding the cause of any suspicious bruising you notice. You can choose to work with a Nashville bruises lawyer if you suspect there may be any foul play involved in the treatment of your loved one.
For a free legal consultation with a Nashville Bruises Lawyer serving Nashville, call (800) 842-6336
How a Nashville Bruises Lawyer Can Help
Sometimes, there may be harmless reasons for a sudden bruise on an aging loved one in a nursing home. After all, bruises can be a natural occurrence for many of the everyday challenges we face.
The truth is we expect that additional care is provided to our loved ones when they are staying at a nursing home. Being provided with special care is among the reasons we choose to have our loved ones stay at a nursing home in the first place.
Other times, a bruise may be representative of something far more sinister than simply knocking your hip on the side of your bed. If this is the case, a Nashville bruises lawyer can help protect the legal rights of victims. We also make the legal process easier for families who do not have experience dealing with legal procedures. This is what we can do for you:
- Gather information: Our lawyers will gather evidence that includes medical history, health records, and witness statements.
- File your case: Once the required information is collected, a lawyer can file your case in court, and the nursing home and other defendants named in the lawsuit will be served.
- Navigate federal and state laws: There are numerous laws that apply to the care and protection of the elderly.
- Give plaintiffs a fighting chance: Big companies operate some nursing homes. These companies possess the financial resources to fight any legal proceeding. Therefore, it is crucial for you to have your own legal representation.
- Prepare for discovery: Our lawyers will begin to plan for an aggressive pre-trial after filing the lawsuit, which will include taking depositions, questioning nursing home workers, compiling evidence of neglect and bruising, and conducting eyewitness interviews.
- Negotiate a settlement: A nursing home would prefer to negotiate a settlement rather than engage in a lawsuit. This is a way of paying less and avoiding bad public relations effects. Our attorneys are there to support you in securing a fair financial settlement that will cover current and future medical expenses.
- Commence a trial: If a settlement is not achieved, our attorneys will recommend going to trial for the court to make a judgment on your case.
Nashville Nashville Bruises Lawyer Near Me (800) 842-6336
Applicable Time Limits for Filing Your Case
Take legal action promptly when you hear that your loved one has suffered a bruise in a nursing home. You must follow the statute of limitations for filing any personal injury case. In Tennessee, you have one year from the date of the accident to file a personal injury claim. If you fail to bring a case within the time allowed by the state, your loved one’s rights to justice may be lost. Get the support of a Nashville bruises lawyer to help you in your case.
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Consider a Nashville Bruises Lawyer Today
If you suspect abuse in a nursing home, the wellbeing of those involved should be your top priority. Seniors are vulnerable to neglect and violence. If your loved one has suffered a bruise in a nursing home, you can seek immediate legal advice from a Nashville bruises lawyer.
At Pintas & Mullins Law Firm, we can help. Call us for a free consultation at (800) 842-6336.
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