Finding any injuries on your loved one, such as unexplained bruising, can upset you. According to the Mayo Clinic, older adults generally bruise more easily. An older person’s skin is thinner and loses some of its protective fatty layer over time, which can lead to blood vessels leaking blood more easily. This leaking shows as bruising.
Certain medications can also exacerbate bruising in seniors. Any medicines that reduce the blood’s ability to clot can lead to easy bruising. There are also a multitude of other medications—and even herbal remedies—that can cause bruising.
While bruising can be harmless, it can also reveal an undetected medical condition. It could also indicate abuse occurring at your loved one’s nursing home.
If you recently found any concerning bruises on your loved one’s body, you might want to contact a Savannah bruises lawyer to determine if you have legal recourse. Nursing home abuse is a serious offense, not to mention upsetting to you and your loved one. Contact Pintas & Mullins Law Firm today for a free evaluation of your case with a team member.
Nursing Home Abuse
Bruising, especially in the elderly, can happen for many reasons. So how can you determine whether the bruising on your loved one resulted from nursing home abuse?
First, any unexplained bruising that you cannot connect to medication can be potentially suspicious, especially if your loved one cannot or will not tell you how the bruising occurred. Consider that the National Criminal Justice Reference Service (NCJRS) found that bruising resulting from physical abuse typically involves the upper body and the face, as well as the arms. Abused seniors also showed larger bruises compared to those who had bruises caused by accidents or medication.
If you notice any recurring or large unexplained bruises on your loved one, you should ask for an explanation, especially if you find the bruising on your loved one’s upper body, arms, or wrists. They may be suffering from nursing home abuse and neglect. Other signs that may point to nursing home abuse include:
- Injuries such as fractures, dislocations, and burns.
- A change in personality, such as depression or withdrawal.
- Being afraid of or avoiding nursing home staff.
If you feel that something is not right with your loved one and you find any of these signs of abuse or neglect, you should raise your concerns to the nursing home staff and document any injuries meticulously. You may also want to consult a medical provider for a professional opinion. You can use any medical reports as evidence if you later decide to take legal action.
A Savannah bruises lawyer can advise you on your legal options. Contact Pintas & Mullins Law Firm today to learn more from a team member.
You Could Get Compensation
A nursing home is where your loved one should feel safe and well-cared. Finding out that your loved one suffered neglect or abuse in their nursing home can upset and devastate the whole family. Once your loved one is safe, you may consider legal action against a nursing home.
Generally, a nursing home is responsible for any abuse that happens in the facility whether done by staff, other residents, or visitors. State and federal laws such as 42 USC § 1395i-3, also known as the Nursing Home Reform Act of 1987, mandate that a skilled nursing facility must remain free from abuse. Furthermore, nursing homes must train their staff appropriately and hire responsibly, which includes checking the background of employees.
These laws all serve to protect your loved one from harm. However, if a nursing home’s negligence caused injuries such as bruising to your loved one, you could receive compensation in a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit. Some of the compensation you could receive includes:
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- Medical expenses
- Transportation costs
- Medical devices
- Rehabilitation costs
- Awards for pain and suffering
- Awards for loss of quality of life
- Funeral expenses
You could also receive other compensation, depending on your case. If a nursing home inflicted intentional abuse or acted in an egregiously negligent manner, you could potentially receive punitive damages on top of any compensatory damages.
For a free legal consultation with a Savannah Bruises Lawyer serving Savannah, call (800) 794-0444
Acting Quickly Can Help Your Loved One and Others
If your loved one is the victim of nursing home abuse and neglect, you should act as soon as possible. Your top priorities will understandably be to keep your loved one free from harm, make them safe, and get them medical attention. You might also consider moving them to another home. Caring for your loved one after they suffer abuse can stress you out and take effort as well as time.
Any compensation can help you and your loved one with expenses that arise from injuries caused by neglect. The compensation could also help them—and you—move on from a traumatic experience quicker. Your timely action can also potentially help other nursing home residents who may also suffer nursing home abuse and neglect.
You might find it important to take quick action if you seek legal recourse and compensation. According to O.C.G.A § 9-3-33, you generally have two years to file a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit.
While you may have waited to initiate a claim while tending to your loved one, starting the legal process as soon as possible can bolster your case. If you work with a Savannah bruises lawyer on your case, they will need time to gather evidence and interview witnesses to ensure that your claim gets filed well within any time limits set by the state.
Savannah Savannah Bruises Lawyer Near Me (800) 794-0444
Pintas & Mullins Law Firm Can Fight for You
Elder abuse is a most egregious crime and should not go unpunished. If your loved one suffered bruises or other injuries due to nursing home abuse, you should not have to deal with any expenses arising from the abuse. A Savannah bruises lawyer can help you build a case against a negligent nursing home by collecting evidence and witness statements, negotiating with insurance companies, and fighting on your behalf in court.
The team at Pintas & Mullins Law Firm does not charge any upfront attorney’s fees. We only get paid if we win your case. Let us help you and your loved one get justice. Contact us today to speak to a team member and find out how we could help you fight for the compensation you might be entitled to receive.
Call or text (800) 794-0444 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
