If your loved one has suffered from an accident that resulted in their bruises, cuts, or burns under the care of a nursing home, they may be entitled to receive compensation for these injuries from the at-fault party or parties. For a free case consultation, call Pintas & Mullins Law Firm today at (800) 842-6336. We can help guide you through the legal process and support you at every step.
Elder Abuse Is Prevalent in Nursing Homes
It is not easy to determine whether to take an elderly family member to a nursing home. However, if you do decide this is the best option for your family, you believe that your loved one is in safe hands.
Unfortunately, this may not be the case. The elderly can fall victim to violence or neglect in a nursing home. Even more troubling is that such activities may go unreported.
Identifying Abuse or Neglect in a Nursing Home
Some medical disorders, such as Alzheimer’s and dementia, can lead to speech and memory problems. There are other symptoms, however, which may help detect violence or neglect that include refusing to talk, refusing to leave a particular space, weight loss, dehydration, and bedsores.
There is also a number of physical symptoms to be watchful for when protecting the well-being of your loved one.
Unexplained Bruises
While some bruises may be caused by simply bumping into furniture or other barriers, some are inflicted on the elderly. The likelihood of physical violence could be high if your loved one has fresh unexplained bruises, particularly on the face.
Unexplained Cuts
As a result of age, the elderly tend to have fragile and frail skin. In the event of cuts, caregivers can regularly check on their residents for early intervention. A symptom of neglect or even violence can be the presence of unexplained cuts.
Unexplained Burns
Burns can be a cause of considerable concern, even more so than bruises and cuts that can readily occur on the skin. Burns may occur in a nursing home due to hot water during baths, contact with heaters and radiators, or through handling hot liquids or foods.
Burns can be highly painful and can cause significant secondary problems, including skin infections. Burns can be a sign of negligence in that residents are not properly monitored.
For a free legal consultation with a Philadelphia Unexplained Bruises or Cuts or Burns Lawyer serving Philadelphia, call (800) 794-0444
Filing a Report of Nursing Home Abuse
Violence in nursing homes can leave the elderly badly wounded and emotionally exhausted. It can even lead to wrongful death.
Some incidents of violence and neglect involve under-trained workers who may aggressively or purposely lash out at residents. Alternatively, aggressive residents may be found to be a danger to other tenants if they are not adequately monitored.
No matter the cause, families have various options to report nursing home abuse. You can do this by:
- Informing and alerting law enforcement or local police of the possible problem.
- Seeking medical professionals, including nurses and physicians, for answers
- Reporting to the nursing home management or the staff members
- Seeking medical attention for your elderly loved one as soon as possible
- Considering hiring a Philadelphia unexplained bruises or cuts or burns lawyer
The elderly may be afraid to speak up, feel embarrassed, or be mentally disabled. You should take steps to protect their interests.
Health caregivers and other medical staff are required by law to report home abuse as well. Families should not wait, however, for a specialist to release a report. You are also urged by the National Institute on Aging (NIA) to report any signs of violence symptoms as soon as they occur.
If you want to learn more about filing a report, contact Pintas & Mullins Law Firm.
Philadelphia Philadelphia Unexplained Bruises or Cuts or Burns Lawyer Near Me (800) 794-0444
Establishing Liability of Nursing Homes and Their Employees
A nursing home may be held responsible for unexplained injuries. Such a claim will be based on an individual employee’s systemic or administrative negligence. There must be evidence in this case that the facility knew what contributed to the injury in such a manner that the organization should have taken measures to address these causes effectively.
It is the duty of the nursing home to:
- Supervise care for their residents
- Ensure rules and regulations are followed
- Hire qualified staff
- Ensure the facility is adequately equipped to provide appropriate care for residents
As long as the damage occurs within the job scope, the nursing home can be vicariously responsible for their employees’ careless actions. Vicarious liability means the employee’s fault may result in the nursing home being held liable for damages.
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Statute of Limitations in Pennsylvania
If you decide to file a personal injury lawsuit on your loved one’s behalf, act as soon as possible. In Pennsylvania, you have two years to file this type of lawsuit, under Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes Annotated (CSA) §5524. Waiting past this deadline can prohibit you from filing your lawsuit and collecting compensation. Nevertheless, the deadline can be extended based on the details of your case.
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Hire a Philadelphia Unexplained Bruises or Cuts or Burns Lawyer
If your loved one shows signs of unexplained bruises, cuts, or burns, ask for an explanation from the nursing home staff members. If their answer is unclear or suspicious, then you may want to further investigate the situation.
If you believe that your loved one’s rights have been violated, please call Pintas & Mullins Law Firm at (800) 842-6336. We can help you and your loved ones pursue justice and the compensation for damages that you deserve.
Call or text (800) 794-0444 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form