Infections in Bridgeport Nursing Homes

Alongside accidental falls, medication errors, and intentional abuse by caregivers, infections are one of the leading causes of premature death in nursing homes and assisted living facilities across the United States. Even worse, these infections often could have been prevented if these facilities’ staff members and administrators had been more responsible in their care for each of their residents and the upkeep of their property.

If you or someone you love has been seriously harmed by an infection in a Bridgeport nursing home, you have help available. Explore your legal options with a capable and compassionate nursing home negligence lawyer. Beyond just helping you prevent any further harm from occurring, a skilled attorney from Berkowitz Hanna can also help demand civil compensation for any damage that you or your loved one have already sustained because of a nursing home infection that could have been prevented.

Common Types of Nursing Home Infections

Unfortunately, elderly people are particularly susceptible to medical disorders of all kinds, including both physical injuries caused by internal trauma and illnesses caused by exposure to viruses, bacteria, and unsanitary living conditions. Some of the most common infections that Bridgeport nursing home neglect attorneys see in the course of protecting vulnerable residents include:

  • Scabies, caused by skin mites transferred through skin-to-skin contact or unsanitary linens or towels
  • Bedsores, typically caused by an immobile resident not being moved by staff members for extended periods
  • Urinary tract infections (UTIs) caused by unsanitary clothing or linens, among other things
  • Pneumonia, influenza, and other contagious diseases transmitted through the air
  • Clostridium difficile infections in the colon
  • Staph infections, which may enter the body through untreated wounds or sores
  • Sepsis, or infections of the blood

While seeking immediate medical attention for any infection in a Bridgeport nursing home should always be the top priority, contacting legal counsel could be a key first step toward determining who should pay for the infection’s adverse effects.

When Are Nursing Homes Legally Liable for Infection Injuries?

It is worth emphasizing that elderly homes can be hotbeds for infections and diseases, even when staff members diligently maintain sanitary practices and regularly check on each resident. With that in mind, the fact that an infection occurred within a Bridgeport retirement home does not always justify civil litigation, even if the infection caused severe harm to the affected resident(s).

That said, any infection that can be traced directly back to negligence or intentional misconduct by an assisted living facility employee—for example, leaving residents alone and in dirty linens for hours or days at a time—could serve as the basis for a lawsuit if the infection gets bad enough to require any form of professional medical care. A qualified legal professional can discuss whether a particular scenario might warrant legal action during a confidential consultation.

Talk to a Bridgeport Attorney About a Possible Nursing Home Infection Lawsuit

Learning that someone you love has become seriously ill from a life-threatening illness or infection is always upsetting. However, it can also be infuriating if you learn the infection only happened because of negligence by nursing home staff members. More significantly, you may have various legal options for seeking civil recovery for that neglect.

Taking proactive action over infections in Bridgeport nursing homes is always easier with guidance from knowledgeable legal counsel. Call Berkowitz Hanna to start working on your potential claim.