Sepsis and septic shock can occur very quickly and develop rapidly. Infections, however, tend to occur more gradually. A medical professional should be able to easily recognize any signs of infection, diagnose it, and provide the proper treatment well before sepsis occurs.
When they fail to do so, you may require the legal support of an experienced West Memphis personal injury lawyer at Gatti, Keltner, Bienvenu & Montesi, PLC. Contact our nursing home abuse and neglect office for a free consultation today to learn more about the steps you must take to demand justice for yourself or your family member.
What to Do if You Suspect Nursing Home Abuse or Neglect in West Memphis
Unfortunately, there are many nursing homes that fail to prevent the easily avoidable sepsis infection. Because sepsis can develop rapidly and progress quickly when no immediate medical attention is given, it can often be life-threatening. If you have trusted an assisted living facility or nursing home with a loved one, you should educate yourself on noticing the signs and symptoms of sepsis in case you need to take prompt action.
You should immediately notify the nursing home staff if you notice any signs of sepsis in your loved one. It is critical that nursing home staff treat this as a medical emergency that requires immediate care. If you feel the nursing home staff has not acted quickly enough, you should call 911 or take your loved one to the closest emergency room.
Nursing home abuse should be reported to the appropriate authorities. A nursing home sepsis attorney in West Memphis, TN, with Gatti, Keltner, Bienvenu & Montesi, PLC can help you through this difficult time and inform you of your and your loved one’s legal rights and how you can protect them.
Common Causes of Sepsis in West Memphis Nursing Homes
Unfortunately, neglect that occurs in nursing homes is a common problem countrywide in long-term care facilities. Some of the more common forms of nursing home negligence that can lead to sepsis in nursing home patients include the following:
- Improper wound care
- Lack of supervision
- Poor sanitation, disease control practices, and hygiene
- Misdiagnosis
Improper Wound Care
When bacteria enter the body through an open wound, causing an infection, sepsis can occur. Poor wound dressing, cleaning, and treatment can lead to an increased risk of sepsis.
Lack of Supervision
When nursing homes provide an inadequate level of supervision, multiple problems can occur, including infrequent repositioning (for bedridden or disabled residents) and accidental injuries that often lead to wounds that are infection-prone. This lack of attention for patients can lead to delayed infection treatment, where sepsis symptoms may already be showing.
Poor Sanitation, Disease Control Practices, and Hygiene
Sepsis may not be contagious, but many other infections are. Therefore, preventing sepsis still requires a thorough infection prevention protocol that includes personal protective equipment (PPE) use, sanitation, and proper handwashing. When healthcare staff members do not take these adequate measures, infections can pass very quickly between patients leading to a chain reaction or, worse, an outbreak.
Misdiagnosis
The delayed or failed diagnosis of a patient by a healthcare professional could lead to more severe health consequences. For example, a medical professional could say a patient’s illness is a mild cold when in actuality, it is a respiratory infection. When doctors mistake a severe disease for something more mild, the mistake can lead to sepsis.
Nursing home neglect, whether unintentional or intentional, can lead to severe sepsis and even death. Preventing sepsis, rash, and septic shock is a legal duty of nursing homes to their residents.
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Demand Action for Nursing Home Sepsis
If a loved one develops sepsis while in a nursing home, it could signify negligence or abuse. If you feel the nursing home failed to prevent your loved one from developing sepsis, you have the legal right to take action if the elements of negligence are met, which include:
Duty of Care
The nursing home owed a duty of care to your loved one. Nursing homes and assisted living facilities have a legal obligation to provide the proper medical care and attention to each of their residents, including the prevention of infection and its consequences.
Breach of Duty
The nursing home breached this duty of care. Sepsis is often a result of neglect on behalf of the nursing home, which is a breach of duty. It is unlikely a patient who is receiving adequate supervision, care, and treatment would develop sepsis.
Causation
A significant injury was suffered by your loved one. According to personal injury laws, sepsis, septic shock, or sepsis rash is considered to be a substantial injury that has the potential to have a significant impact on the victim’s life.
Damages
You must prove the nursing home’s negligence was the direct cause of your family’s damages. You must be able to show that the actions or failure to act on behalf of the nursing home caused your family losses, including lost wages, medical bills, or the cost of additional care.
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Evidence to Prove Neglect and Abuse
You must be able to provide substantial evidence in order to prove that the nursing home was negligent in caring for your loved one. A nursing home sepsis attorney in Memphis, TN, can help you gather the following required proof:
- Medical records
- Photos of the injuries that lead to sepsis
- Testimony from medical experts
- Emergency room reports and Hospital charts
- Witness testimony of abuse or neglect
- An autopsy report for a case involving wrongful death
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Common Types of Recoverable Damages
You could recover the following financial compensation if you file a lawsuit for a nursing home sepsis case:
- Medical bills
- Disability
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of quality of life
- Lost wages
- Wrongful death
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Meet with a Nursing Home Sepsis Lawyer in West Memphis, TN
Unfortunately, neglect and abuse in nursing homes are commonplace in Memphis and nationwide. A West Memphis nursing home sepsis attorney with Gatti, Keltner, Bienvenu & Montesi, PLC can help you understand the specific circumstances of your neglect case.
If you or a loved one has been the victim of nursing home abuse, contact us through our secure online form as soon as possible or call our office to schedule your free, no-obligation consultation today.