Medical Misdiagnosis And Nursing Home Abuse
Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer
When a family makes comes to the decision that it is time to place their loved one in a nursing home, it is likely one of the most difficult decisions they have to make. When this time arrives, it is usually because their loved one is dealing with medical issues that necessitate round-the-clock care and medical assistance.
It is every family’s right to believe that the facility that they entrust the care of their loved one to will provide the utmost in quality care and treat their loved one with the respect and dignity they deserve. Tragically, this does not always occur, and the incidents of nursing home abuse and neglect cases are on the rise.
One of the common types of nursing home abuse cases a nursing home abuse lawyer handles is medical misdiagnosis by nursing home staff. The results of this type of misdiagnosis can have dire – often fatal – for elderly residents.
Medical Misdiagnosis
Many nursing home residents are already suffering from serious medical issues, but these conditions can become even more complicated and dangerous if nursing home staff fail to recognize and correctly diagnose any new conditions the resident may develop. This can cause the resident to suffer from confusion, fever, loss of memory, infections, pain, and more.
If nursing home medical professionals fail to correctly diagnose a medical condition, this can also mean the resident will be given the wrong medication, putting them at even more risk of injury or death. The wrong medication not only doesn’t treat the actual medication condition that the resident actually is suffering from, but it can also have a detrimental effect on their overall health or cause a bad reaction to other medications they may be taking.
Some of the most diagnosed conditions that nursing home residents are exposed to include:
- Dehydration
- Essential tremors
- Urinary tract infections
- Fibromyalgia
- Delirium
Some of the erroneous diagnoses of these conditions include rheumatoid arthritis, Parkinson’s disease, and dementia. These incorrect conditions are very serious and are usually treated with powerful medications. Imagine giving an elderly resident a drug to treat one of these serious conditions when all they are actually suffering from is a urinary tract infection that only requires an antibiotic.
Legal Options for Victims of Nursing Home Abuse
If you suspect your loved one is a victim of nursing home abuse or neglect, it is imperative that you act quickly in order to make sure that your loved one is safe and not exposed to any more danger. The first step is contacting a seasoned nursing home abuse lawyer who will help you report the abuse to the proper authorities to protect your elderly loved one and take the legal steps to pursue financial justice for their injuries.
Thanks to each nursing home abuse lawyer from Disparti Law Group for their insight into signs of nursing home abuse and neglect and what legal steps to take if it happens.