The post Are bed sores indicators of nursing home neglect? first appeared on Steinberg, Goodman & Kalish.
]]>Recent horror tales of poor conditions, extreme neglect and horrific abuse trickling into the news and through them to the public have brought to the forefront worries about the treatment of loved ones in nursing homes. It can be difficult for those who have limited time and/or live a distance away to keep a constant watch on loved ones. It is therefore even more important for them to be able to recognize potential signs of neglect like bed sores.
Bed sores are also called pressure ulcers and result from pressure applied to an area for extended periods cutting off the blood flow. Bedridden and immobile individuals are more at risk to develop them because they cannot move to relieve the pressure of lying down on certain body parts. They may also develop because of friction over bony areas like elbows.
Besides pain, individuals with bed sores that go untreated for too long may develop other health complications. These include infection, gangrene, sepsis and cancer.
While they do not always mean something is wrong, they often do. Caretakers can prevent bed sores by rotating the positions of their immobile charges. Simply in the process of ensuring they are clean and checking their health, they need to move them around.
Bed sores often develop in places not immediately visible like the tailbone, buttocks, hips and lower back. It is important to check these spots, especially if there are other signs of neglect, like unchanged clothes and dirty bed linens.
Nursing home neglect may manifest in various ways, including bed sores. If there is reason to suspect there is neglect, it is important to investigate further.
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]]>The post What are signs of a bowel perforation? first appeared on Steinberg, Goodman & Kalish.
]]>Abdominal surgeries such as a colonoscopy, a cesarean section or a hysterectomy require doctors to work in the bowel section. Trouble can arise if a surgeon creates a hole somewhere in your esophagus, stomach or intestines and does not treat the injury before completing the surgery.
The Cleveland Clinic describes a variety of symptoms that manifest if you have a bowel perforation. Your abdomen may feel tender if you touch it. You could also notice that your abdomen is swelling or appears bloated. Some patients feel pain or develop harsh cramps.
Additional symptoms usually include chills or a fever. Nausea could also manifest, which may lead to episodes of vomiting.
Having a hole in your bowel system is a dangerous development. If you do not receive medical treatment as soon as possible, you could experience severe blood loss if you bleed internally. Additionally, your body may suffer an infection and go into sepsis. This could lead to your death if it progresses into septic shock.
Bowel perforations can have life-lasting consequences even if doctors repair them. Some patients end up with permanent damage to their intestines. This is why it is important to learn if medical malpractice plays a role in any gastrointestinal injury you experience, as you may want to explore your legal options.
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]]>The post Delays during cesarean section can put infants at serious risk of harm first appeared on Steinberg, Goodman & Kalish.
]]>Medical malpractice before or during a C-section can have profound consequences for the infant. Brain damage suffered during delivery can lead to cerebral palsy or other life-long disabling condition. They might never be able to live independently or earn sufficient income to support themselves. Their parents will need to find a way to afford things like wheelchairs, ramps for the home, extra medical care and more.
This is why settlements and jury awards in birth injury cases can be quite high, often in the millions of dollars. In a recent local example, NorthShore Unversity HealthSystem settled a malpractice lawsuit related to errors during a cesarean section for $35 million. The doctor in that case delayed performing a C-section despite the mother being in a high-risk pregnancy with twins and other physicians indicating that the procedure was urgently needed. The procedure itself took much more time to deliver the second infant than is standard. That girl, now 7, is severely disabled and will need assistance for the rest of her life. She cannot walk, speak or chew on her own and suffers from painful muscle cramps.
This is just one example of the consequences of poorly performed or necessarily delayed C-section. The child’s future could depend on a reasonable settlement or trial verdict against the doctor, hospital or other responsible parties. The cost of raising a profoundly disabled child can be millions of dollars higher than average.
The post Delays during cesarean section can put infants at serious risk of harm first appeared on Steinberg, Goodman & Kalish.
]]>The post Financial hardships due to a car accident first appeared on Steinberg, Goodman & Kalish.
]]>It is important to understand the potential financial consequences of a traffic accident, including hardships that could come up at a later point.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that fatal traffic accidents generated more than $430 billion in costs during 2020. Aside from fatal crashes, accidents often result in significant medical expenses for those who suffer injuries as well. Rehabilitation and long-term expenses due to ongoing physical challenges can also prove costly. In 2020, traffic collisions accounted for more than 2.1 million visits to emergency departments.
There are many other ways a crash could create financial havoc in your life. For example, you could lose the ability to work, leading to lost wages and falling behind on bills. After an accident, you could become unable to drive due to mental trauma or physical limitations, resulting in significant transportation expenses. In some instances, entire families face significant funeral costs as a result of losing a loved one in an accident.
If you decide to take legal action in the wake of a car crash caused by a driver’s negligence, you need to think about all of the different ways that the accident could affect your finances.
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]]>The post Are nursing home falls preventable? first appeared on Steinberg, Goodman & Kalish.
]]>If you have a loved one who lives in a nursing home, you expect professionals there to keep him or her reasonably safe. Certainly, nursing home staff should take steps to keep your relative from falling. After all, most nursing home falls are entirely preventable.
One of the more common reasons for falls in nursing homes comes from inadequate staffing. That is, when there are too few workers, residents do not receive enough assistance when walking, getting out of bed, toileting, bathing or engaging in other potentially risky activities.
Beds, wheelchairs, hoists and other pieces of equipment often require adjustment to fit the needs of each nursing home resident. If the staff fails to make proper adjustments, a fall might be more likely. The same is true if nursing home professionals use old, defective or damaged equipment.
Because seniors are more vulnerable to falls, nursing home staff should quickly clean up spilled liquids. They also should declutter hallways and rooms to prevent nursing home residents from tripping and falling. Unfortunately, though, floor hazards remain all too common in many nursing homes.
Ultimately, if the negligence of nursing home professionals causes or contributes to your loved one’s fall, he or she might be eligible for substantial financial compensation for injuries.
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]]>The post Types of Abuse in Nursing Homes first appeared on Steinberg, Goodman & Kalish.
]]>Some of our community’s most vulnerable members may suffer various types of abuse in nursing homes. Even though these facilities are supposed to provide care that meets certain standards, residents all too often fall victim to mistreatment by those charged with their care. Consequently, these facilities can be dangerous places for people who cannot protect themselves from physical and emotional harm.
Nursing home abuse is the mistreatment of a person residing in a nursing home. The Illinois Nursing Home Care Act defines the state’s main legislation regarding nursing home abuse and neglect. It states that abuse is physical, mental, or sexual mistreatment intentionally inflicted on a nursing home resident.
Nursing home abuse can cause serious harm to elderly residents, including physical injuries, emotional trauma, and even death.
Mistreatment of elders in assisted living facilities can take many forms. An estimated five million older adults across the U.S. suffer some form of abuse each year. Often, nursing home residents cannot or choose not to report that those entrusted to care from them are causing harm.
Some of the most common types of nursing home abuse include:
Sexual abuse may occur under different circumstances in an unsafe nursing home. Any sexual contact that occurs without consent or when the person cannot consent constitutes sexual assault.
Sexual abuse in nursing homes can be categorized into two types:
Non-consensual intercourse – having sex with a nursing home resident who has not consented or does not have the capacity to consent.
Non-consensual sexual contact – any touching of a nursing home resident’s genitals, buttocks, or breasts without his or her permission
Psychological abuse includes verbal, emotional, or mental abuse. Under this broad umbrella, there are several types of torture that nursing home residents can be forced to endure, including:
Isolation – Isolation occurs when someone is kept locked up in his or her room without access to others. Alternatively, this also occurs when staff prevent residents from going outside, interacting with others who live nearby, or seeing each other.
Humiliation – Caregivers may tell jokes at the resident’s expense, such as making fun of his or her age or disability. They may make fun of the resident’s appearance or other characteristics they find unattractive.
Threats – A malicious caregiver might threaten harm to a resident if the latter doesn’t give in to demands or act as he or she wants.
When nursing home residents experience psychological abuse, it may contribute to them developing mental health issues, such as anxiety or depression.
Many types of neglect may also be considered forms of nursing home abuse. Neglect includes emotional neglect (for example, ignoring a patient’s requests for help), financial neglect (for example, not paying bills), and physical neglect (for example, refusing to change bandages). It is a failure to provide adequate care, which can be intentional or unintentional.
It is considered neglectful if the staff fails to adequately provide medical care for their patients, including taking blood pressure readings and administering medications. Likewise, it is also considered neglectful if the staff does not provide adequate food for a resident’s meals, or if they do not maintain hygiene for residents and the facility.
Physical abuse is any physical force that causes injury or pain to a resident. It is the most common form of elder abuse in nursing homes and long-term care facilities.
This form of nursing home resident mistreatment can include:
Financial exploitation involves the illegal or improper use of a nursing home resident’s money, property, or assets.
For example, staff may forge checks or misuse caregiving funds from residents, their families, or the state. Coercing a nursing home resident into signing over power of attorney to someone else or stealing money from the elderly and their estate also qualify as financial exploitation, and are a type of nursing home abuse.
If you suspect elderly financial abuse, you may be able to stop further losses before they occur by contacting law enforcement officials or filing paperwork with the courts.
Due to their health conditions, some victims cannot report. Others may choose not to, out of fear, shame, or for any other number of reasons. Knowing the signs to watch out for, then, may help you protect your loved one.
Some common signs of nursing home abuse to watch out for include:
Emotional signs. If you notice that your loved one seems depressed or withdrawn and breaks down into tears, this could be an indication that something bad has happened to him or her in the nursing home environment.
Physical signs. To determine the types of abuse in nursing homes, check your loved one for bruises, cuts, or burns on his or her body. Physically abused residents in a care home might also have bedsores due to poor care.
Signs of neglect. Signs that a nursing home isn’t providing adequate care include poorly cooked foods, dirty rooms, and poor hygiene among residents.
Sexual abuse signs. Signs of sexual abuse include sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), bleeding, restlessness, anxiety, or depression.
Money trouble. Changes in financial statuses, such as sudden withdrawal from bank accounts or other assets without cause, are a sign of financial abuse.
Changes in behavior. Abused residents may act out inappropriately with increased aggression or withdrawal from social interactions with others. This is a sign of abuse.
Caregivers are expected to fulfil the highest requirements of care and know how to handle problems at a nursing home.
If you have been the victim of nursing home abuse from caregivers, you must report the incident to the nursing home’s management. Depending on the extent of the abuse, you may also want to contact law enforcement and file a police report concurrently.
A settlement for nursing home neglect may be reached before or after a lawsuit has been filed. Settlements in these types of cases often include reimbursement for medical expenses, compensation for pain and suffering, compensation for loss of companionship, and punitive damages.
There could be many unreported or undocumented types of abuse in nursing homes. If you suspect your loved one has been the victim of nursing home abuse or neglect, you may consider consulting with a lawyer to learn how best to protect your loved one’s rights and wellbeing.
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]]>The post 3 ways medical malpractice can happen first appeared on Steinberg, Goodman & Kalish.
]]>Doctor errors are one of the leading causes of medical malpractice cases. Understanding these errors and how to protect yourself can help you avoid potential harm.
Misdiagnosis is one of the most common errors made by doctors, and it can have severe consequences. Misdiagnosis can occur due to various reasons, such as insufficient testing or inadequate examination. To prevent misdiagnosis, it is essential to ask questions, seek a second opinion and ensure that your healthcare provider has all the necessary information.
Prescription errors can happen when a healthcare professional prescribes the wrong medication or dosage, leading to harmful side effects or even death. The National Library of Medicine has shown that as many as 500,000 medication errors happen every day in the United States. To avoid potential issues, ensure that your doctor knows your medical history, allergies and current medications. You can also double-check the medication and dosage with your pharmacist before taking it.
Surgical errors can occur during any part of the surgery, from anesthesia to post-operative care. Some of the most common surgical errors include wrong-site surgery, leaving a foreign object inside the patient, and damaging nearby organs. To protect yourself from surgical errors, make sure that you fully understand the procedure, ask questions and ensure that your healthcare provider follows the standard safety protocols.
Medical malpractice can result in severe harm and injury to patients. If you suspect that you have experienced medical malpractice, seek a second opinion and consult with a medical professional.
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]]>The post GE HealthCare recalls Nuclear Medicine systems due to fall risk first appeared on Steinberg, Goodman & Kalish.
]]>Why did the company issue the recall and what are the potential impacts?
Healthcare professionals use the GE Nuclear Medicine 600 and 800 series systems to create images of the body to aid in diagnosing trauma, diseases, disorders and abnormalities. These images help healthcare providers diagnose and detect issues with organ function and conditions such as cancer, cardiovascular disease and neurological disorders.
The manufacturer identified a defect in two mechanisms intended to prevent uncontrolled detector movement that could cause the machines to fall. The affected devices contain a ball screw that could fail and lack a safety key designed to prevent the machine from falling when such a failure occurs.
Though there have been no instances of injuries, deaths or complaints related to the defective devices, the potential seriousness of a failure prompted the company to issue the recall. The machines weigh more than 1,200 pounds and a fall could result in serious injuries or deaths if the device traps or crushes a patient.
Healthcare providers who use these machines should get the machines inspected and repaired before using them. Consumers who believe the machines caused them harm can report their experience through the FDA’s MedWatch system.
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]]>The post What are red flags of serious brain trauma? first appeared on Steinberg, Goodman & Kalish.
]]>Thus, it is important to keep an eye out for potential red flags that might indicate serious trauma to the brain.
Mayo Clinic discusses red flags of brain trauma. These signs usually come in both behavioral and mental, as well as physical, forms.
Regarding a person’s behavior and mental state, it is often easy for others to see when a victim suffers from brain trauma. They will usually behave erratically, may lash out at others, and often seem easy to agitate.
These victims can also exhibit confused behavior, struggling to comprehend the situation they are in or having trouble remembering the incidents that only just occurred.
The physical signs are also usually easy to catch. For example, it is not uncommon for brain trauma victims to fall into a state of unconsciousness or coma that others cannot wake them from.
They might have trouble with coordination, balance, or the ability to do basic physical tasks. It is also common for brain trauma sufferers to struggle with their senses. This can manifest in several ways, such as ringing in the ears or visual disturbances. Some may struggle with mixed tastes or smells.
It is important for sufferers to get medical help quickly and efficiently. This is the best way to prevent long-term damage from occurring. It is still important to note, however, that it is hard to predict the outcome of any head injury.
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]]>The post Can children develop seat belt syndrome? first appeared on Steinberg, Goodman & Kalish.
]]>As children grow, parents should upgrade to booster seats. These seats allow kids to sit higher, enabling them to use a vehicle’s normal seat belts. Unfortunately, though, children in booster seats can develop seat belt syndrome after motor vehicle accidents.
Seat belt syndrome is the designation doctors use to describe many different injuries a person might suffer when wearing a seat belt. Often, seat belt syndrome comes with a clearly defined belt-shaped bruise across a person’s midsection.
The condition can involve more than superficial bruising, though. Indeed, individuals with seat belt syndrome might have broken bones, soft-tissue injuries, internal bleeding or even organ damage.
Because bruising is so common, it might be tempting for parents to take a wait-and-see approach. Doing so, though, might put the lives of young accident victims in extreme danger.
Simply put, because most parents cannot distinguish between minor bruising and injuries that are considerably more serious or even life-threatening, it is advisable for children to go to the emergency room for evaluation following any type of car accident.
Visiting the emergency room can be expensive, especially if a child requires in-depth treatment for seat belt syndrome. Ultimately, though, the driver who is responsible for the crash may have a legal obligation to pay for an injured child’s diagnosis and treatment.
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