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Sandy Springs Nursing Home Infection Lawyer
When nursing homes fail to prevent infections, seniors can suffer devastating consequences. The Sandy Springs nursing home infection lawyers at Ashenden & Associates help families seek justice and compensation.
Nursing home facilities are responsible for caring for vulnerable adults left in their care. Staff, management, or even entire practices can bear responsibility if a breach in duty of care leads to harm. Legal action allows victims and their families to hold these parties accountable for physical, mental, and emotional abuse.
Do you suspect nursing home abuse has caused your loved one to develop an infection? If so, schedule a free legal consultation with our Sandy Springs medical malpractice attorneys. Call Ashenden & Associates at (770) 394-8909 or contact us online.
How Infections Develop in a Nursing Home Setting
Multiple factors can increase the likelihood of infections developing in nursing homes. Understaffing may mean that caregivers are unable to fulfill their duties properly. In turn, this can lead to poor hygiene or unsanitary living conditions. Improper medical treatment can also introduce infections to nursing home residents. Delayed care worsens the problem by allowing infections to progress.
When infections result from a breach of duty, Georgia residents have grounds to pursue a nursing home abuse lawsuit.
Why Nursing Home Residents Face a Higher Risk of Infection
The senior population is particularly vulnerable to infections. Their weakened immune systems mean that they catch illnesses more easily and have a harder time overcoming them. Many elderly residents also have chronic medical conditions that make infections more difficult to deal with. Since seniors are less physically active, they are more susceptible to issues such as poor circulation and bedsores. Limited physical activity can also impact lung function. This means that they have a harder time clearing bacteria and mucus from their lungs.
Common Signs of Nursing Home Neglect Related to Infections
One of the best ways to prevent serious harm from occurring is to look out for signs of abuse and mistreatment. The following are common signs of nursing home negligence and abuse:
- Bedsores and Untreated Wounds
- Poor Personal Hygiene and Unsanitary Conditions
- Delayed Treatment for Illness or Infection
- Medication Errors That Lead to Serious Health Complications
- Malnutrition and Dehydration in Nursing Home Residents
The moment you suspect abuse or neglect, contact the appropriate authorities. Then, work with a GA nursing home abuse lawyer to hold nursing home staff, management, or entire facilities accountable.
Types of Infections Commonly Linked to Nursing Home Neglect
Many preventable infections can result from nursing home staff, caregivers, or management neglecting the needs of their elderly residents. Furthermore, delayed or inadequate medical care often leads to further complications once infections develop. Our nursing home abuse lawyers in Sandy Springs carefully investigate the circumstances of the following infections.
Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs)
Poor hygiene, such as unclean bedding or unwashed hands, can lead to seniors developing UTIs. The risks of this infection are especially high when staff misuse catheters or fail to change incontinence pads promptly.
While UTIs may seem like a relatively minor concern to some, infections can impact elderly people differently than younger people. In addition to significant pain, this condition can cause cognitive issues in seniors. They may experience confusion, trouble staying awake, or even memory loss. UTIs can also lead to other medical conditions worsening.
Respiratory Infections and Pneumonia
Respiratory infections can spread fast among elderly residents. Common examples of these diseases include bronchitis, the flu, and pneumonia. Poor sanitation, lack of monitoring, and other types of nursing home negligence can easily cause or exacerbate this issue.
Some diseases, such as pneumonia, are potentially lethal for elderly patients. It directly impacts the immune system, which can cause underlying conditions to worsen significantly.
Sepsis and Bloodstream Infections
When infections travel through the bloodstream, they can reach different parts of the body in mere hours. Widespread infections like these are often difficult to treat and may also trigger sepsis. Sepsis is a dangerous bodily response in which the immune system impacts organ function. It is life-threatening and requires immediate medical attention. A Sandy Springs nursing home sepsis attorney helps families determine if neglect caused or contributed to this condition.
Skin Infections and Pressure Ulcers
Elderly residents often have difficulty moving on their own. However, prolonged pressure on any part of the body can cause physical injuries to develop. For this reason, caregivers are required to help seniors readjust their position regularly. Untreated pressure ulcers will progressively worsen, potentially affecting even deep tissue. These wounds are also vulnerable to infections, such as staph.
COVID-19 and Other Contagious Illnesses in Living Facilities
Seniors are particularly vulnerable to the dangers of COVID-19. The disease is more likely to prove fatal for older adults and in some cases leads to lasting complications. To prevent the spread of COVID-19, nursing homes must maintain strict protocols. Sanitation measures, prompt testing, and proper isolation are necessary steps to protect elderly residents.
Causes of Nursing Home Infections in Sandy Springs
The success of a nursing home lawsuit depends on understanding what caused your loved one’s infection. Infections may result from:
- Understaffing in Nursing Homes and Living Facilities
- Improper Cleaning and Sanitation Procedures
- Failure to Monitor Residents for Early Warning Signs
- Lack of Proper Medical Care and Infection Control
- Negligent Hiring and Staff Training Practices
Once our Sandy Springs nursing home abuse attorneys pinpoint the cause, we can build a strong case to recover compensation.
Injuries and Losses Families May Experience
Seniors often have a hard time overcoming illnesses, which means that any infection can lead to long-term medical complications. Both victims and their families can suffer unnecessary pain and distress as a result. In addition to the direct impact of worsening health, residents also suffer mentally and emotionally. Knowing that the nursing home staff failed to provide adequate care can leave seniors feeling unsteady, betrayed, and fearful. The financial pressure of expensive medical bills and ongoing care costs increases stress for all parties involved.
In the most severe cases, seniors can lose their lives as a result of nursing home neglect. In addition to the losses above, families also incur funerary expenses as well as extreme emotional distress. In such cases, a wrongful death attorney in Sandy Springs can help families pursue legal action.
Proving Liability in a Sandy Springs Nursing Home Infection Case
Nursing home abuse cases are often more complicated than other personal injury matters. An understanding of elder law and medical malpractice is necessary to secure compensation. To prove liability, you must establish the 4 D’s of negligence. In other words, you must show that the party in question owed the victim a duty of care and deviated from that duty. Next, you need proof of the resulting damages and how the deviation directly caused harm.
When individuals or facilities either fail to prevent disease or cause a condition to become worse, nursing homes can be held accountable. Liability may fall to specific staff members or even entire facilities, depending on the type of neglect. Third parties, such as nursing home management companies, staffing agencies, or outside healthcare providers, may also share responsibility.
Collecting all relevant evidence is an important step in proving your case. Medical records, such as those tracking treatments, medications, and weight loss, can demonstrate how infection occurred and impacted your loved one. You should also gather visual evidence, including photos of unsanitary conditions or bedsores. When possible, ask for the contact information of anyone who can provide a witness statement.
How Ashenden & Associates, P.C. Helps Families Pursue Justice
Ashenden & Associates thoroughly investigates Sandy Springs nursing home abuse claims. Backed by years of legal experience, we seek out the information we need to support your case. In addition to reviewing medical records and evidence of infection, we work with medical professionals. These experts help us demonstrate accepted standard practices and how infections occurred.
Our team protects clients from predatory insurance companies that try to deny claims by negotiating on their behalf. We fight for fair settlements to cover medical bills and more. Ashenden & Associates is also prepared to bring cases to trial when a settlement cannot be reached.
What Compensation May Be Available in a Georgia Nursing Home Infection Claim
Under Georgia law, elderly victims can seek compensation for both economic (quantitative) losses and losses that have no set value. The exact amount of recoverable compensation depends on the extent of harm the victim suffered.
Compensation for Medical Bills and Treatment Costs
Any medical expenses related to treating the infection can be recovered through the nursing home abuse lawsuit. This includes hospital bills, medication costs, rehabilitation expenses, and even future medical needs.
Pain and Suffering Damages
Infections cause significant physical pain, especially for elderly individuals. Victims may also experience emotional and mental anguish that reduces their quality of life. Pain and suffering damages compensate for these non-quantifiable types of harm.
Wrongful Death Damages for Surviving Family Members
Seniors, especially those in nursing homes, are more likely to suffer fatal complications from an infection. A wrongful death lawsuit allows their families to recover compensation for funeral expenses and loss of companionship.
Financial Recovery for Long-Term Care Needs
Sometimes, infections lead to long-term issues that require ongoing nursing or specialized care. Alternatively, victims may wish to move to a safer living facility to avoid future issues. Financial compensation can cover ongoing care as well as moving expenses.
Steps to Take if You Suspect Nursing Home Neglect
To secure compensation for abuse and neglect, you’ll need to gather evidence. Document any signs of infection or mistreatment. Take photos and write down details such as times, dates, and specific staff members. Report issues to the nursing home so they can address them, then ensure your loved one receives prompt medical care.
Next, you should contact Georgia state authorities. The Georgia Department of Community Health (DCH) and Adult Protective Services (APS) both investigate suspected elder abuse. Families can report nursing home abuse to the DCH online or by calling 1-866-552-4464, then pressing “3.”
As soon as possible, speak with a Sandy Springs nursing home infection lawyer. The sooner you have legal assistance, the more time you have to prepare your case.
Other Sandy Springs Nursing Home Abuse Claims Our Law Firm Handles
Seniors may suffer financial, physical, emotional, and psychological abuse in nursing homes. Ashenden & Associates provides legal support for elderly victims, regardless of the type of abuse they suffered. Our understanding of Georgia nursing home regulations allows us to build cases with a strong legal foundation.
Physical Abuse in Nursing Facilities
Physical abuse can involve aggressive or rough handling, improper use of restraints, or even direct physical attacks. Keep an eye out for unexplained injuries, bruises, and lacerations. As soon as you notice something, contact a lawyer.
Nursing Home Financial Abuse
Staff, visitors, or other residents sometimes take advantage of seniors for financial gain. Abusers may steal money or items in the victim’s room or on their person. Alternatively, they may use manipulative means to commit fraud or access the victim’s financial accounts.
Sexual Abuse in Georgia Nursing Homes
Bruises around private areas, unexplained genital infections, or sudden changes in an elderly individual’s behavior could be signs of sexual abuse. Immediate reporting and investigation are crucial to protecting vulnerable residents from further harm.
Nursing Home Psychological Abuse
Threats, humiliation, and isolation are common forms of psychological abuse that can occur in nursing homes. This can result in emotional or behavioral changes, such as becoming agitated, withdrawn, or non-communicative.
Why Families Trust Ashenden & Associates, P.C.
Over the next decade, the U.S. senior population will increase rapidly. In 2000, there were approximately 35 million people aged 65 and older across the country. That number could increase to as much as 70 million by 2030. As such, the demand for senior care services is expected to skyrocket. Due to chronic understaffing throughout the industry, residents often suffer from preventable injuries. In the coming years, more families may find themselves needing experienced litigation services for elder abuse and neglect.
Elderly victims deserve justice, but these cases can be incredibly complex. A successful claim requires highly specialized institutional knowledge. Our firm is prepared to take on the unique challenges nursing home abuse victims face.
Ashenden & Associates is known for providing compassionate legal guidance in Sandy Springs and the surrounding areas. Our experience with nursing home abuse and medical malpractice issues means we understand how to prepare a convincing case on your behalf. We thoroughly investigate the circumstances of mistreatment, then help you secure the compensation your loved one needs to recover. When you need dedicated advocacy for injured nursing home residents, choose our team. We personalize our approach to suit your specific needs and goals.
Schedule a Consultation With a Sandy Springs Nursing Home Infection Lawyer Today
It is important to seek legal help for nursing home abuse quickly. Prompt action can protect your elderly family member from further harm and ensure they get the care necessary for recovery. Our team will help you contact the relevant authorities and gather evidence to prove your case.
Allow Ashenden & Associates to help you put a stop to nursing home abuse. Schedule your free consultation today by calling (770) 394-8909 or contacting us online.