Maryland Nursing Home Bedsore Case Value
Bedsores are common among nursing home residents and are often a sign of severe neglect. When a person is left in a single position for an extended amount of time, they can develop bedsores, which can lead to a variety of painful, and sometimes, deadly, medical conditions. To prevent bedsores, nursing home employees should help immobile patients change positions and move around periodically.
If you or a loved one intends to file a bedsore lawsuit against a nursing facility, it could help to know your Maryland nursing home bedsore case value. It may be extremely difficult to do this, as the financial award received by a plaintiff will depend on a myriad of legal factors.
Before filing a personal injury case, speaking to an experienced nursing home abuse attorney could be beneficial.
Calculating the Worth of a Bedsore Case?
If a nursing home resident manages to win their bedsore case, they may be awarded one of two, or sometimes both, types of monetary awards. Pecuniary damages, which are damages intended to reimburse injured individuals for any expenses related to their case, as well as their pain and suffering, may be awarded. These damages can be calculated, and in general, the greater of a financial loss an injured person suffers, the greater their pecuniary damages will be.
The second type of damages is known as punitive damages. These damages are often awarded in cases with gross neglect, and they are awarded in an effort to punish the guilty party and prevent them from engaging in similar behaviors in the future. These damages are not easily calculated, and although they are decided by a jury, the judge may choose to reduce or increase the award amount.
Depending on the nature of the case, an injured party may be able to obtain compensation for:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional trauma
- Loss of income or wages
- Medical bills
- Any other injury-related expense
Since many nursing home residents are retired or unemployed, they may not be able to receive compensation for lost wages. All of the factors listed above must be considered when estimating a nursing home bedsore case value in Maryland.
What Happens When Bedsores Cause Death?
While bedsores are painful and inconvenient and rarely cause death, they could cause deadly infections if left untreated for extended periods of time. If a person dies from one of these infections, their loved ones may be able to file a wrongful death suit against the nursing home and its employees. Wrongful death suits are usually only filed by the immediate family members or spouse of the deceased.
If an estate representative files a successful wrongful death suit, they may be able to receive compensation for medical bills, funeral expenses, and other related costs. The court will also take the actions of the defendants, as well as the extent of the suffering the deceased experienced into consideration. In cases where a deceased person was the breadwinner of their family, their earned and potential income will also be evaluated.
Find Out More About Your Maryland Nursing Home Bedsore Case Value
You entrust nursing homes with the health and wellbeing of your loved ones, and when they break this trust, it can be a major shock. If your loved one developed bedsores while in a nursing home, you may be able to help them obtain the compensation they deserve for their terrible ordeal.
There is no excuse for nursing home neglect. Contact an attorney today to learn more about your Maryland nursing home bedsore case value.
