Louisiana Elder Abuse
If you believe your loved one or family member is being abused or neglected due to nursing home negligence, the attorneys at Guilliot & St. Pe' can help you. While bedsores occur among the elderly, that is no excuse for improper treatment of a wound or infection and even a complete lack of care altogether. Contact us to discuss your case.
More Than 100 Nursing Home Abuse Cases
The Lafayette nursing home neglect attorneys of Guilliot & St. Pe' have handled more than 100 nursing home abuse cases. With our many years of elder abuse experience, Jerry Guilliot and Kenneth St. Pe' combine the experience you need with the personal service and respect you deserve. Whether negotiating for change or going to trial, we have the necessary skills to aggressively represent you and your loved one.
Lack of Care Leading to Serious Bedsores and Infections
Infections and bedsores are usually due to the neglect of immobile or bedridden patients. Federal guidelines require that patients are turned every two hours if they are bedridden and every one hour while in a wheelchair. Preventative measures include specialty mattresses, pillows used to relieve pressure and proper nutrition/hydration.
Nursing homes must follow these guidelines. If a sore results, a nursing home must properly treat the wound, document the condition and keep the patient's medical records updated. However, negligence and lack of care by the nursing home can lead to serious infection, such as sepsis or MRSA (staph). In more horrific cases, infections require surgery and can even end in death.
Signs of Infection
There are generally four stages to watch for:
1. Stage one: reddening of the skin
2. Stage two: breaking of the skin
3. Stage three: subcutaneous tissue exposed
4. Stage four: infection has exposed the bone
Stages one and two, if properly treated, are common and generally within the standard of care. However, stages three and four indicate substandard care.
Contact Us Today for a Free Consultation
If your loved one has been a victim of bedsores or infections, contact us today to discuss your situation with an experienced Louisiana elder abuse attorney in a free consultation.