By Garret DeReus
When nursing home residents suffer from neglect leading to pressure ulcers and other preventable injuries, they deserve skilled legal representation. The attorneys at Bizer & DeReus advocate for nursing home residents in Louisiana who have experienced substandard care and abuse.
Understanding Nursing Home Standards in Bossier City
Recent studies indicate that pressure ulcers remain a serious concern in Louisiana’s nursing homes. These injuries are often preventable and can result in severe complications, extended hospital stays, and in some cases, fatal outcomes.
Louisiana’s Legal Framework for Nursing Home Care
Louisiana law establishes requirements for nursing home operations to protect resident welfare. By way of example, under Louisiana Administrative Code §9877, nursing facilities must provide comprehensive medically-related social services to maintain residents’ highest practicable physical, mental, and psychosocial well-being. The law mandates that facilities identify each resident’s social service needs and ensure appropriate care through qualified professionals.
Social services play a crucial role in preventing serious medical complications. When residents become socially isolated or inactive, they tend to spend more time in bed and move less frequently. This lack of movement creates perfect conditions for pressure ulcers to develop, particularly in areas where body weight puts sustained pressure on skin and tissue. Regular social engagement encourages mobility, which is essential for preventing these dangerous conditions. Social workers should coordinate with nursing staff to ensure residents maintain an appropriate level of activity and receive regular repositioning when mobility is limited.
Nursing Homes in Bossier City
The following licensed nursing homes operate in Bossier City:
- Adira Medical Resort – 4405 Airline Dr.
- Colonial Oaks Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation – 4921 Medical Drive
- Cypress Point Nursing & Rehabilitation Center – 4910 Airline Drive
- Heritage Manor Health & Rehab – 2575 Airline Drive
- Northwest Louisiana Veterans Home – 3130 Arthur Ray Teague Parkway
- Old Brownlee Community Care Center – 4680 Old Brownlee Rd.
- Pathway Rehabilitation Hospital of Bossier – SNF – 4900 Medical Drive
- Pilgrim Manor Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation – 1524 Doctors Drive
- Riverview Care Center – 4820 Medical Drive
Building Strong Cases Through Evidence
Our approach to nursing home negligence cases involves comprehensive investigation of facility practices, staffing levels, and care documentation. However, gathering crucial evidence often requires legal action. Without a lawsuit, facilities and staff members may refuse to provide information or speak about incidents. Through the discovery process, an attorney can compel a witness or a defendant’s employee testify in a depositions. Plaintiff attorneys can also obtain documents through subpoenas. This includes employment records, internal investigations, and communications that facilities might otherwise withhold. Many vital pieces of evidence, particularly those held by third parties or outside vendors, can only be accessed through formal legal channels.
The Rapid Onset of Serious Problems
Nursing home neglect can lead to devastating consequences in surprisingly short periods. Pressure ulcers can begin developing in as little as a few days when residents aren’t properly repositioned. Blood clots can form when residents are left immobile. Extended periods without proper incontinence care can lead to severe skin breakdown, infections, and extreme discomfort. Even brief lapses in supervision can have catastrophic results – a single unsupervised moment might lead to a serious fall, or a confused resident could wander from the facility into dangerous situations.
Contact Our Experienced Legal Team
If your loved one has suffered from negligent care in a Bossier City nursing home, contact Bizer & DeReus for a free consultation. While we don’t maintain a physical office in Bossier City, our attorneys regularly represent clients throughout Louisiana. Call 504-619-9999 or email Garret DeReus at [email protected] to discuss your case. We’re committed to fighting for justice and improving care standards in Louisiana’s nursing homes.