Rhea County Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer
As the number of nursing home patients continues to rise across the country, it has become more important than ever to ensure that elderly loved ones are safe and receiving the care that they need. Care, dignity, and courtesy are reasonable expectations for any resident of a nursing home. However, abuse does take place in nursing homes. Typically, when such concerns arise, it is prudent to engage a Rhea nursing home abuse lawyer to help protect the interests of your loved one. An experienced personal injury can help you seek the deserved amount of damages for your pain and suffering.
Indicators of Nursing Home Neglect or Abuse
Nursing home abuse can come in a variety of forms. It can manifest in intentional infliction of psychological, financial, sexual, emotional, or physical harm. Neglect is just another form of abuse. Greater risk of abuse exists for those nursing home residents that have some form of dementia. One study indicated that almost half of all patients with dementia have received some form of mistreatment.
Nursing home abuse or neglect can lead to many problems, such as the following:
- Sometimes called pressure sores or even decubitous ulcers – they all refer to the same injury. Bedsores are wounds (ulcers) that develop due to constant pressure on the skin from sitting or lying in the same or a similar position for a lengthy period of time. The pressure decreases blood flow to the skin and tissue leading to the tissue beginning to die.
Consequences of Neglect
In an early stage, a bedsore appears as a red sore spot. When it advances, skin tissue will die. A deeper open sore then develops. Often, the skin breakdown begins below the surface and then erupts to the surface as an open sore. These sores are very painful, and they can also lead to infections. If a loved one is experiencing a stage of neglect, it may be vital to contact a Rhea nursing home abuse lawyer
- Every year, thousands of nursing home residents die from a bad fall. Residents that fall and survive often suffer injuries that can result in further disabilities reducing the resident’s quality of life. A fall can because by any number of reasons.
- Everyone needs water intake. Dehydration can result due to a fever, deficient diet, diarrhea, and possibly certain medications. Nursing homes are required to monitor patient fluid intake and check for dehydration. Allowing dehydration to advance is a violation of their duty.
- In many situations, infections stem from the medical care one received. For example, a resident could develop a catheter associated infection. Improperly treated infections can be really dangerous, and cause further complications such as pulmonary arrest, blood disease shock, and even death.
- All people regularly need sufficient nutrients from food. Without it, a person will suffer from malnutrition leading to a host of medical problems, any of which can cause death. Additionally, when a person becomes malnourished, they become weaker and more susceptible to accidents and illness.
- Medication errors. All too often, medical professionals commit medication errors, such as administering incorrect dosages, incorrect medication, or perhaps the intervals of administration were incorrect. Medication errors can cause severe health problems. Some medical facilities administer too much medication to keep patients from complaining or asking for assistance.
Speak with a Rhea County Nursing Home Abuse Attorney
Nursing home abuse is becoming more common with each passing year. Loved ones deserve nothing but compassionate and professional care. When nursing home abuse occurs to a loved one of yours and severe personal injuries result, you could be faced with an accumulation of medical expenses, lost earnings, and additional financial burdens. If you or a loved one has suffered from nursing home abuse, experienced Rhea nursing home abuse lawyers are ready to go to work for you and your family to fight for all the compensation you deserve.
