Bizer & DeReus represents plaintiffs who are victims of abuse, neglect, or civil rights violations throughout Louisiana, including Rapides Parish. We focus on holding facilities accountable when their negligent care leads to preventable injuries such as pressure ulcers or bedsores.
Understanding Pressure Ulcers in Louisiana Healthcare Facilities
Pressure ulcers (bedsores) are serious injuries that occur at an alarming rate in Louisiana nursing homes. One way these painful and potentially life-threatening wounds can develop is when nursing home staff fail to properly monitor and care for residents. Louisiana’s pressure ulcer rates consistently rank above national averages, indicating systemic issues in many facilities’ standard of care.
Critical Role of Nutrition and Weight Monitoring
Proper nutrition and weight management are fundamental to preventing pressure ulcers and promoting overall resident health. Nursing homes must carefully monitor residents’ nutritional status and weight, as significant unintended weight loss can signal serious underlying issues. Weight stability serves as a key indicator of proper caloric balance and overall health.
Adequate nutrition provides essential energy and building blocks for the body’s largest organ – the skin. When residents experience nutritional deficiencies, their skin becomes more vulnerable to breakdown and pressure injuries. Healthcare providers must pay particular attention to residents with existing pressure ulcers, as these individuals often require increased caloric intake to support wound healing.
Rapides Parish Nursing Homes
The following nursing homes operate in Rapides Parish:
- Hilltop Nursing & Rehab Center – Located on Edgewood Drive in Pineville
- Legacy at St. Christina – Located on Hillsdale Drive in Pineville
- Lexington House – Located on Heyman Lane in Alexandria
- Matthews Memorial Health Care Center – Located on Jackson Street Extension in Alexandria
- Naomi Heights Nursing & Rehab Center – Located on E. Texas Avenue in Alexandria
- The Oaks Care Center – Located on Pinecrest Drive in Pineville
- Regency House of Alexandria – Located on Masonic Drive in Alexandria
- The Summit – Located on Memorial Drive in Alexandria
- Tioga Community Care Center – Located on Shreveport Highway in Pineville
Our Experience in Federal Court
Bizer & DeReus brings extensive federal court experience to pressure ulcer cases throughout Louisiana. Our attorneys regularly practice in the United States District Court for the Western District of Louisiana, including a recent 2024 civil rights victory in the Alexandria Division resulting in a six-figure jury verdict. This experience enables us to effectively navigate complex medical negligence cases and achieve meaningful results for our clients.
Investigating Pressure Ulcer Cases
Our firm conducts thorough investigations into pressure ulcer cases, including comprehensive medical record review, expert consultation, and detailed analysis of facility policies and procedures. We examine staffing levels, care documentation, and pressure ulcer risk assessments to identify breakdowns in care that led to preventable injuries.
As part of our commitment to transparency and accountability, we are actively pursuing public records requests to the Louisiana Department of Health for documentation related to nursing homes in Louisiana. We plan to publish these records on our website to help families make informed decisions about their loved ones’ care.
Contact Our Team
If your loved one has developed pressure ulcers in a Louisiana nursing home, contact Bizer & DeReus for a free consultation. We are available for a free consultation. Call us at 504-619-9999 or email Garret DeReus at [email protected]. We are committed to holding negligent facilities accountable and securing justice for injured nursing home residents throughout Louisiana.