Nursing Home Negligence Attorney
Nursing homes have a bottom line duty to the health and safety of their patients. They also have a duty to report injuries or seek advanced medical treatment for patients in distress. Yet in many cases it is visiting family members who discover that their loved one is injured or ailing.
The Townsley Law Firm will aggressively pursue action against nursing homes for neglect, abuse or medical negligence resulting in serious injury, grave illness or death. Our attorneys have obtained notable results on behalf of nursing home residents in Calcasieu Parish, in Jefferson Davis Parish and throughout southwest Louisiana.
Do you suspect nursing home negligence? Call our Lake Charles law office at 337-377-0584 for a free consultation.
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Nursing Home Negligence Law Firm Serving The Greater Lake Charles Area
Nursing homes are commonly understaffed. Nurses and physicians may see patients infrequently, and the lay personnel who provide daily care are often poorly trained. In the worst cases, nursing home workers are intentionally abusive or neglectful.
The Townsley Law Firm knows how to investigate to uncover the negligence, neglect, abuse and lack of security:
- Bedsore injury (pressure ulcers) in bedridden patients who are not turned regularly
- Falls from bed for lack of proper restraints
- Falls when walking for lack of assistance
- Dropping patients during transport
- Senior home abuse
- Injuries from wandering off
- Assaults by other residents
- Physical or sexual abuse by staff
- Medication errors
- Malnutrition and dehydration
- Failure to diagnose serious conditions
- Failure to summon a specialist or call 911
Frequently Asked Questions: Nursing Staff Negligence, Pressure Ulcers, and Medical Malpractice in Louisiana
Can I sue a hospital if the nursing staff failed to report my worsening symptoms?
Yes. If nursing staff observed a change in your condition and failed to report it to your physician, and that failure led to harm, you may have a medical malpractice claim against the hospital. Louisiana law holds hospitals accountable for the negligent actions of their employees. An experienced Louisiana medical malpractice attorney can evaluate whether the nursing team’s conduct fell below the required standard of care.
What is a Stage IV pressure ulcer and can it be grounds for a malpractice claim?
A Stage IV pressure ulcer is the most severe type of bedsore, involving full-thickness tissue loss that may expose muscle, tendon, or bone. These wounds are almost entirely preventable through routine repositioning of immobile patients — a basic nursing responsibility. If a patient develops a Stage IV pressure ulcer while hospitalized because staff failed to follow turning protocols, that failure can constitute nursing negligence and support a malpractice claim.
How long do I have to file a medical malpractice claim in Louisiana?
Louisiana has a one-year statute of limitations for medical malpractice claims, meaning you generally have one year from the date you discovered the malpractice to file. Louisiana also has a three-year statute of repose, which sets an absolute outer limit regardless of discovery. Given how short this window is, it is critical to consult with a medical malpractice attorney as soon as possible after a suspected injury.
What types of damages can be recovered in a Louisiana medical malpractice case?
In Louisiana, medical malpractice victims may recover compensation for past and future medical expenses, lost wages and loss of earning capacity, physical pain and suffering, mental anguish and emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, and costs of ongoing care including in-home assistance and adaptive equipment. Louisiana does cap certain damages in medical malpractice cases, but an experienced attorney can help maximize the compensation available in your
specific situation.
What is the standard of care for nurses, and how is it proven in court?
The standard of care refers to what a reasonably competent nurse with similar training would have done in the same situation. In court, this standard is established through expert testimony from qualified nursing professionals who review the medical records, hospital protocols, and documented actions of the staff involved. When an expert can testify that the nursing staff’s conduct deviated from accepted practice and that deviation caused harm, it forms the foundation of a malpractice case.
What should I do if I believe a family member was harmed by hospital negligence in Louisiana?
Act quickly and preserve everything. Request complete copies of all medical records, nursing notes, and incident reports. Write down everything you remember about what staff said and when. Do not sign any documents offered by the hospital or their insurance company before speaking with an attorney. Contact a Louisiana medical malpractice attorney for a free consultation to understand your options before the statute of limitations runs out.
The Medical Background To Hold Elder Care Facilities Accountable
One of our lawyers has hospital experience. Also, we have an exhaustive network of health care professionals that we consult with screening the medical records for a potential medical malpractice case, and our managing partner brings medical insights from 25 years of malpractice litigation. We know the signs. We know what documents to obtain. We know the experts to call.
If there is evidence of nursing home negligence or senior home abuse, we will seek compensation for your loved one’s medical care, disability, and pain and suffering. For a free consultation, call our Lake Charles/Westlake nursing home negligence attorneys at 337-377-0584 or email our office.