Nursing Home Abuse Attorney in Austin
Has your elderly loved one been harmed or neglected?
Nursing homes and other elder care facilities are meant to provide for
the needs of elderly individuals who can no longer care for themselves.
Unfortunately, staff members and other residents can neglect or abuse
a resident instead of looking out for that person's health and best
interests. Nursing home abuse and elder abuse are an ongoing problem throughout
Texas and the rest of the nation. If you have a loved one in a nursing
home and suspect that he or she suffering abuse, then you may be able
to file a claim against the negligent facility or staff member with help from an
Austin personal injury attorney. The first step in this process is to know what signs may be pointing
to abuse or neglect in a nursing home.
Signs of Nursing Home Abuse
Abused and neglected nursing home residents can show signs of abuse in
a number of ways. Some of the most common signs of nursing home abuse include:
- Unexplained bruises or injuries
- Sudden weight loss or weight gain
- Constant illness
- Bedsores
- Infections
- Fatigue
- Depression, fear, and emotional trauma
Injuries Resulting from Abuse & Neglect in Nursing Homes
Nursing home residents who are neglected can suffer from different types
of serious illnesses and
personal injury. Many residents are unable to sit up, stand, use a wheelchair, or walk
on their own. If staff members neglect these individuals and leave them
lying in bed or sitting in a wheelchair for too long without adjusting
their position,
bedsores are highly likely to result. These pressure ulcers do not heal easily
and are prone to serious
infection. Untreated injuries, such as bedsores, cuts, and scrapes can also lead
to life-threatening infections if not properly treated.
Neglected nursing home residents can also suffer from
malnutrition and dehydration. Residents depend on the staff members and the facility to provide them
with food and, in some cases, to make sure the resident eats and drinks
enough. Elderly individuals can suffer from mental health issues that
cause them to forget to eat or to think that they have eaten enough when
they have not. It is the staff members' duty to make sure that a resident
is given nutritious and regular meals, and that the resident eats enough
to stay healthy and stays hydrated.
Other serious injuries and illnesses that are common in nursing homes are
broken bones. If left unsupervised, elderly individuals can
slip and fall and sustain a broken hip, broken arm or wrist, or a severe head injury.
Wandering inside or outside of a nursing home can result in injuries as well as
illness from exposure. Poor supervision or assistance of nursing home
residents can lead to such injuries.
Effects of Medication Errors on Elderly Patients
Medication errors can also cause serious internal injuries, illnesses, or infections. Untreated
side effects and adverse reactions to certain medications could cause
a number of conditions and adverse reactions, including:
- Stroke
- Heart attack
- Anemia
- Blood pressure problems
- Blood sugar problems
Elderly individuals are often placed on multiple medications. Unless a
doctor is careful to pair medications that are not harmful when taken
together and makes sure to monitor the resident's reaction to the
medications, serious illness or
wrongful death could result.
Contact an Austin Personal Injury Lawyer
Is your elderly loved one showing signs of neglect or abuse? Has he or
she suffered from a serious or unexplained injury or illness? Melendez
Law Firm, PC has a proven record of success in all types of personal injury
cases. We work tirelessly on each case in order to get the results that
our clients need. Our legal team is always trial ready, and we are members
of the Texas Trial Lawyers Association and of the Civil Litigation Section
of the State Bar of Texas.
Contact our firm as soon as possible to request a free case evaluation with an attorney!