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Tampa Nursing Home Infection Lawyers
Holding Florida nursing homes accountable for incompetent medical care
Most residents of nursing homes are seniors or people with disabilities. Both groups of residents are prone to infections and generally need more time to heal when infections do occur. At MattLaw, we hold nursing homes and medical staff accountable when they fail to anticipate, diagnose, treat, and monitor infections because infections can cause trauma, illnesses, and deaths. Many infections are contagious.
Our Tampa nursing home infection lawyers have the experience and medical relationships to show when nursing homes are responsible for bedsore infections, respiratory infections, C. diff infections, pneumonia, GI infections, UTIs, sepsis, and other infections. We help obtain compensation for a resident’s medical bills, physical and emotional trauma, and other financial and personal damages. Our attorneys also represent families when nursing home infections are fatal.
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- What types of infections can nursing home residents suffer in Tampa?
- What steps should nursing homes take to prevent infections in Tampa?
- What harm can infections in nursing homes cause?
- Who is responsible if a resident has an infection in Tampa?
- What is the value of a resident’s nursing home claim due to an infection?
- Do you have a Tampa nursing home infection lawyer near me?
What types of infections can nursing home residents suffer in Tampa?
Nursing homes and their medical staff have a duty to protect their residents against a broad range of infections and infection-related conditions, including the following:
- Bedsore infections, which include cellulitis, septic arthritis, and osteomyelitis. These infections affect the skin, joints, and bones, respectively.
- diff
- Coronavirus
- coli
- GI infections that may cause diarrhea
- Hepatitis
- MRSA (Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus)
- Respiratory infections
- Scabies/bed bug infections
- Staph infections
- Surgical site infections
- The flu, influenza, and pneumonia
- Urinary tract infections (UTIs)
According to Willows Healthcare, about 14% percent of nursing home residents develop sepsis, which can result in long hospital stays and death. “The two most common types of bacteria found in nursing homes are likely to be Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Staphylococcus aureus, particularly the methicillin-resistant strain known as MRSA.”
What steps should nursing homes take to prevent infections in Tampa?
Nursing homes have a high risk of infections because many new residents arrive from hospitals and other long-term care facilities. At MattLaw, we review what protocols nursing homes have in place to prevent infections and to promptly and competently treat infections when they do happen. Some of the many precautions that nursing homes should take include the following:
- Being aware of how likely infections are to spread among residents who already, due to their age and health disorders such as heart disease and diabetes, have weak immune systems
- Being aware that infections are also likely to spread due to the close contact everyone in the nursing home (residents and staff) has with each other
- Ensuring that residents are bathed on a regular basis and that they practice good hygiene
- Regularly washing the hands of the staff members and residents
- Changing the diapers of residents who are incontinent in a timely manner
- Understanding the signs and symptoms of the various infections residents may contract
- Seeking prompt medical help when infections do appear
- Wearing gloves
- Isolating or quarantining residents who have infections/diseases
- Giving antibiotics when doctors prescribe them (and completing them if they are prescribed) but being aware of the dangers of overuse of antibiotics
- Cleaning towels and bed linen
- Cleaning and changing wound bandages
- Disposing of trash and waste products in a timely and clean manner
- Understanding when residents should receive vaccinations, such as winter flu vaccinations
- Having individual care plans for each resident
What harm can infections in nursing homes cause?
Generally, there are several types of infections, including viral infections, bacterial infections, and fungal infections. The damage from infection varies depending on the type and severity of the infection. In the elderly, the time to heal is normally much longer than for healthier adults.
For example, cellulitis is a bacterial skin infection that can spread to a resident’s bloodstream and lymph nodes, which can be life-threatening. The symptoms of cellulitis include chills, pain, fever blisters, and skin irritations. According to the Mayo Clinic:
Untreated cellulitis might lead to bacteremia, endocarditis, osteomyelitis, toxic shock syndrome, or sepsis. Rarely, the infection can spread to the deep layer of tissue called the fascial lining. Necrotizing fasciitis is an example of a deep-layer infection. It's an extreme emergency.
Recurrent episodes of cellulitis may damage the lymphatic drainage system and cause chronic swelling of the affected limb.
Who is responsible if a resident has an infection in Tampa?
Our Tampa nursing home infection lawyers work with nursing home professionals and medical professionals to help show that a nursing home was neglectful, why your loved one’s infection was preventable, and the harm the infection caused your loved one.
At MattLaw, we file personal injury and wrongful death claims against the responsible parties, which generally include the nursing home and medical care providers.
What is the value of a resident’s nursing home claim due to an infection?
At MattLaw, we demand that the responsible defendants compensate your loved one for every way their neglect causes financial and personal damage. We demand compensation for your loved one’s current and future:
- Medical bills.
- Physical pain and emotional suffering.
- Loss of bodily function.
- Inability to enjoy life’s pleasures.
Our Tampa nursing home lawyers also file wrongful death claims if nursing home or medical neglect takes the life of your loved one. Wrongful death damages include the following:
- Funeral and burial costs
- Any outstanding medical expenses
- Your loved one’s pain and suffering prior to their death
- The loss of financial support that your loved one would have provided to the family members
- The loss of guidance, support, and love that your loved one would have provided to the family members
Do you have a Tampa nursing home infection lawyer near me?
Yes. MattLaw meets residents of nursing homes and the people who care for them at our Tampa, Florida office, located at 304 S Plant Ave., Tampa, FL 33606. If your loved one’s infections prevent them from traveling, we can make arrangements to see your family member away from our offices. We also conduct phone and online video consultations.
Our lawyers have helped many nursing home residents obtain the justice and compensation they deserve.
Get help from our accomplished Tampa nursing home lawyers today
Untreated or improperly treated infections can be fatal. Survivors may live with constant physical pain and emotional suffering. For residents who are already in ill health, the additional burden of living with the consequences of an infection can be overwhelming. At MattLaw, we hold nursing homes and medical providers accountable for negligent infection diagnosis and treatment. Call our Tampa nursing home infection lawyers or complete our contact form to schedule a free consultation. We handle nursing home infection claims on a contingency fee basis.