Frequent Bedsores? Hire a Bedsore Lawyer in Nashville to Receive Compensation
Nursing homes across the country offer elderly patients with significant physical or mental ailments a place where care is provided 24/7. But unfortunately, many don’t have adequate resources, or they’re underfunded. And this can result in patients suffering neglect.
Nursing home abuse is an unfortunate reality for many residents across the United States. And one of the primary signs of abuse in nursing homes today is the presence of bedsores.
Bedsores, or pressure ulcers, are caused by restricted blood flow when a part of the body is compressed for a long period of time. And this is most often caused when a resident is left in one position for too long, i.e., in a wheelchair or in a bed.
Bedsores can become painful open wounds. And any skin ulcer, if left untreated, can become infected. Even worse, if left untreated for too long, some bedsores have resulted in the amputation of limbs.
If you or an elderly loved one has suffered from nursing home abuse, neglect, or you’ve noticed the presence of bedsores, experienced attorneys in Nashville, TN can help.
What to do When You Notice Signs of Neglect
Though many nursing homes do offer quality services, negligent facilities may not give adequate attention to all patients. And when this happens, bedsores develop due to a patient being stationary for too long.
Additional signs of nursing home neglect include frequent bruising, overmedication, fear or apprehension about being left alone around specific employees, foul odors from infrequent bathing, and signs of malnutrition.
In the event that you notice any of the signs of nursing home abuse, you should seek legal advice immediately. If you’ve noticed any open wounds or pressure sores, these are clear signs that a nursing home resident isn’t receiving adequate care.
Residents are entitled to the best care from the facilities charged with their care., and neglect is a serious problem that needs to be addressed.
As such, experienced nursing home attorneys often offer a free consultation and adhere to a confidential attorney-client relationship. So you need not worry about confidential or sensitive information being made public.
What Nursing Home Attorneys Do
Like many personal injury lawyers, a nursing home attorney will investigate your claim and compile evidence in order to prove that negligent facilities are at fault. And if bedsores, skin ulcers, pressure sores, and open wounds are present, these need to be officially documented.
The legal advice that you’ll likely receive will include actions that could be taken and your rights to receiving compensation due to neglectful actions of an assisted care facility. And your attorney may also advise you on the best possible avenue for presenting your case in court.
Bedsores can be looked upon as a serious injury if left untreated. And this form of nursing home neglect cannot be left unresolved.
Your legal team may present legal options to you in the event that you have sufficient evidence to support your case. Knowing this, documentation of all signs or instances of abuse is critical for a successful outcome in court.
Nursing home attorneys are skilled in the legal proceedings that are common when it comes to cases of abuse and neglect.
Finding an Attorney
If you look in your phone book, or if you do a quick Google search, you’ll see a variety of listings from all over the state of Tennessee. And though you may find personal injury attorneys, sexual harassment attorneys, wrongful death, or sexual abuse attorneys, you really need to find an attorney who specializes in cases of nursing home abuse.
Further, Nashville nursing home lawyers will be able to operate in any county out of their Nashville office. As such, even if you’re not located in Nashville, these lawyers may assist you if you live in Hamilton County, Davidson County, Williamson County, Sumner County, Rutherford County, Robertson County, Montgomery County including Clarksville, Madison County including Jackson, Wilson County, or Knox County.
The attorney you choose should be well-versed in handling cases of neglect or abuse in nursing homes. And he or she should also know and understand the signs of neglect or abuse such as bedsores, pressure ulcers, open wounds, and all other signs of abuse.
Additionally, during your free consultation, you should also ask a variety of questions concerning the handling of your case.
Steps to Take
Once you’ve begun to notice the signs of abuse, your next step is to alert the nursing home management team or the nursing home ombudsman. Ensuring that management is informed of the alleged abuse will hopefully be the first step in resolving any negligence.
In the event that wounds or abuse are significant, you should also seek proper medical attention from a family physician or at a local ER if the condition is serious enough. And if you feel that your life or the life of your loved one is in danger, you should inform local authorities immediately and seek legal action as soon as possible.
Seeking legal counsel may ultimately be your best strategy when it comes to receiving compensation for abuse or neglect at the hands of nursing home staff. As such, ensure that you initiate the process swiftly so that you can receive compensation in a timely manner. Fortunately, if you’re looking for a bedsore lawyer, Nashville is a good place to be.
If you’re interested in finding out how our bedsore lawyer can help you, you may dial toll-free 800.705.2121 for more information.
Going Forward
Once you’ve identified abuse and have gone through the proper channels, you may want to consider a different long-term care plan for yourself or your elderly loved one. Such forms of care are as follows:
- Aging in place
- Aging with family
- At-home care
- Hospice services
- Retirement communities
You may also consider choosing a new nursing home or long-term care facility. However, the main thing to remember is that long-term care needs to be a decision made in the best interests of all parties involved.
As such, immediate family members may need to be consulted in order to come up with a viable solution for care.
