In nursing homes, bruises can be a sign that there is something nefarious going on. While bruises can occur from medical conditions that make bruising more likely or from residents accidentally injuring themselves, they can also serve as a warning. Bruises can alert you that nursing home residents do not receive the level of supervision and care they need to be safe. In a worst-case scenario, bruises are a sign of physical nursing home abuse.
If a loved one suffers from bruises while under the care of a nursing home, it is worth further investigation. If you would like to discuss your possible options for legal recourse, contact Pintas & Mullins Law Firm to speak with a member of our team. We would be happy to listen to your story and to discuss ways that a New York City bruises lawyer may be able to help.
Dangers of Bruises
Many people can be dismissive of a bruise. After all, everyone has suffered from a bruise at one time or another. In most cases, the bruise simply goes away with time. However, bruises can prove more dangerous than most people believe. Some of the dangers of bruises include:
- Hematomas
- Internal bleeding
- Leaking bruises
- Compartment syndrome
- Muscle contusion
- Chronic pain
This list highlights just some of the dangers of bruises. However, depending on your other health conditions, bruising can be especially dangerous. If you have any questions about the long-term implications of bruises, be sure to discuss your concerns with your doctor. If the bruises continue for a long period of time or do not heal, it is a sign that something more significant could be going on.
Understanding Bruises
Bruises are a sign that bleeding occurred beneath the skin. Bruises can signal an injury or trauma that is sometimes more significant than outward signs would otherwise suggest. The National Center on Elder Abuse considers bruises as a sign of potential abuse from caregivers at nursing homes.
Recurrent bruises or bruises found only in locations that are less visible could mean that the bruises were the result of intentional harm. If bruising occurs over the normal course of therapy or living, such as if a resident falls, the incident should be well-documented.
Any unexplained bruises can be particularly problematic and should be investigated by family members. Be sure to discuss any concerns with your loved one’s doctors and to document everything that you see. It can be easy to document any suspicions by taking photographs of the injury and living conditions, noting which caregivers worked on which days, and writing down specific details in a notebook or a phone app. Call Pintas & Mullins Law Firm to share your concerns and documentation with a member of our team.
For a free legal consultation with a New York City Bruises Lawyer serving New York City, call (800) 794-0444
Types of Bruises
A nursing home incident can lead to different types of bruises. It is a common misconception that all bruises are the same. However, the medical community recognizes three different types of bruises based on their severity and location.
- A subcutaneous bruise occurs just beneath the skin. This is often the most minor type of bruise that patients can experience, and most of us have had a subcutaneous bruise at one time.
- An intramuscular bruise is a deeper bruise that occurs in the underlying muscles. Often, this type of bruise is more serious and indicates more significant trauma.
- Periosteal bruises are found on the bone. These types of bruises are significant and may require medical intervention to treat.
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Signs of Nursing Home Abuse
Nursing home abuse can be challenging to spot, especially with nursing home residents that may not be able to communicate what happens to them. Some signs of nursing home abuse to look out for include:
- Unexplained bruises
- Agitation
- Withdrawal from social activities
- Frequent infections
- Bedsores
- Asphyxiation
- Wandering or elopement
- Malnutrition
These are just some of the signs of nursing home abuse. If you suspect that a loved one is acting strangely or is being abused by one of their caregivers, you should trust your gut instinct. You can contact a New York City bruises lawyer and the appropriate authorities to ensure that the abuse stops and that other seniors are not endangered in the nursing home. An abusive caregiver likely hurts more than one patient at a time.
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Understanding Your Rights
If at any point in time, you suspect that a loved one is the victim of elder abuse while residing in a nursing home, it is time to report your suspicions to the authorities and to decide if you want to seek legal action.
It is well within your rights to seek legal action against the party responsible for causing injury to you or your loved one. If your loved one has been injured at a nursing home, you could be entitled to compensation from the nursing home itself and any responsible parties that may have caused the injury.
U.S. Code 42 § 1395i-3 spells out that nursing home residents have the right to be safe and receive proper care at any licensed skilled nursing and rehabilitation facility nationwide. If a nursing home fails to uphold its standard of care and ends up injuring one of its residents, you can hold the facility responsible.
Depending on the nature of the injury, your options for recourse vary. If one of the caregivers or contract workers became frustrated and struck your loved one, it could be a sign of nursing home abuse. Determining liability and who is responsible can be a complex process. If you have any questions about the process, it might be worthwhile to contact a New York City bruises lawyer. They can discuss the specifics of what happened with you and make a recommendation about how to proceed further.
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Contact a New York City Bruises Lawyer to Discuss Your Case
If your loved one has unexplained bruises while under the full-time care of nursing home staff, you could possibly have a legal case and be entitled to compensation. Call Pintas & Mullins Law Firm today to schedule a free consultation with a member of our team.
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