When a Louisiana family has to make the difficult decision to put their loved one in a nursing home there can be feelings of guilt and worry. A nursing home can be a valuable service for many people as they get older and are no longer able to take care of themselves. They can relieve the pressure many families face as they try and take care of their loved one who continues to need more and more services. Although most Louisiana nursing homes provide excellent care, serious injuries to elderly residents continue to occur.
The following are the more common nursing home injuries a resident can suffer.
- Broken bones. A nursing home resident can sustain broken bones or fractures in many different ways. They can also be a sign of nursing home abuse. In some instances, a broken bone may result from a fall out of bed or a slip and fall. But fractures can also be a sign of physical abuse.
- Infections. Some infections among nursing home residents are unavoidable but some may be the result of abuse. If bedsores are left unattended or infection control measures are not followed, a resident may suffer a debilitating or life-threatening event.
- Mental illness. In some cases, anxiety and depression may be a sign of emotional or physical abuse.
- Burns or lacerations. Burns, lacerations and restraint marks are almost always a sign of physical abuse and should be reported immediately.
- Bed sores. Bed sores are almost always preventable and if a nursing home resident is suffering from advance stage bedsores, they may the victim of abuse.
A legal professional who is skilled in nursing home neglect has the experience necessary to investigate a family’s concern and try to get answers as to what happened. They can make sure the nursing home and staff are held accountable for their actions and that the family receives the compensation they deserve.