Nursing Home Infections Attorneys in Columbus, OH

Name: Infections
Brand: Beausay & Nichols Law Firm
Rating: 5 (6 reviews)

Nursing home neglect can have devastating consequences for the health of elderly residents. A nursing home employee failing to adhere to sanitary guidelines contributes to poor hygiene, leading to an increased risk of infection. Further, inadequate medical treatment of bedsores or other wounds can lead to serious infections.

Fighting Nursing Home Infection Neglect

Older residents often have a weakened immune system and health complications, which make them susceptible to various forms of illness. Nursing homes must keep their environments clean and administer proper medical care to minimize preventable infections. If you or a loved one has developed an infection due to negligence in a nursing home, you may be eligible for compensation from the organization. Our Columbus, OH, nursing home infection attorneys at Beausay & Nichols Law Firm are ready to provide legal support and protect your rights as a victim of negligence.

Common Nursing Home Infections

In the United States, over 1.5 million Americans live in about 16,000 nursing homes, and over 88 percent of nursing home residents are 65 years and older, with 45 percent being 85 years and older. Approximately two million infections occur in nursing homes in the United States each year.

This means that many people suffer more than one infection per year, many of which might be preventable. The most common infections by elderly citizens in nursing homes include:

Sepsis
Respiratory infections
Pneumonia
Soft tissue and skin infections
Urinary tract infections
Influenza
MRSA— antibiotic-bacteria resistance infection
Influenza

Causes of Infections in Nursing Homes

Risk factors for infections in nursing homes include recent hospital admission, multiple illnesses, indwelling devices, and impairment in function. For instance, residents with feeding tubes are at a high risk of aspiration pneumonia and skin and soft tissue infections.

Nursing home residents transferred from another facility or hospital can be carriers of diseases. They can introduce resistant bacteria and other micro-organisms at their new places of residence. Nursing homes that do not take proper precautions can be liable for the spread of preventable infections.

Nursing Home Infection Lawsuits in Columbus, OH

If your loved one develops an infection due to negligence at a nursing home facility, you can file a lawsuit if they were seriously injured or died as a result of the illness. Nursing home lawsuits are based on negligence, a legal standard that means the nursing home failed to use the level of care that a reasonable person would apply in a similar situation.

A victim has a valid lawsuit if they can demonstrate negligence in the nursing home's actions or inactions. Nursing homes must fulfill specific duties to their patients, including:

Helping the patients to take a bath
Keeping patients free of urine and feces if they are incontinent
Frequent change of lines and bedsheets
Proper hygiene and sanitary practices, including wearing gloves and masks and handwashing
Seeking medical attention for residents with signs and symptoms of infections
Regular check-ups of wounds and bedsores
Proper disposal of waste products

If a nursing home fails to fulfill any of the above duties and the resident gets an infection, the injured victim can seek compensation.

How Columbus, OH, Nursing Home Infections Attorneys Can Help

If you or a loved one has developed an infection due to nursing home neglect, never wait to seek legal assistance. An attorney can build a claim against the negligent nursing home or employee. For instance, our firm can conduct investigations and establish that the caregiver failed to provide a minimum standard of care. Further, we will negotiate with the nursing home's insurer to obtain a fair settlement value that covers your losses.

Get Legal Help From a Proven Nursing Home Infection Attorney

When you admit your loved one to a nursing home, you expect the facility to take care of their health and safety. Unfortunately, there are many cases of nursing home abuse and neglect that lead to injuries, including preventable infections. At Beausay & Nichols Law Firm, we are dedicated to protecting victims of nursing home neglect and are ready to pursue compensation against the at-fault party. Contact us to schedule a free consultation and discuss a possible case today.