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Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers Handling Bladder & Bowel Injury Claims
Caring advocacy for seniors suffering from medical disorders and injuries
Bladder and bowel disorders are quite common among the elderly. For most seniors, these disorders make life difficult every moment of every day. Nursing homes should anticipate these challenges and understand how to quickly and competently respond to them. Some conditions, like urinary tract infections, can cause permanent damage and even fatalities if left untreated.
At Garcia & Artigliere, our nursing home abuse and neglect attorneys are respected nationwide for our dedication to our clients and record of impressive results. In 2022 alone, we obtained more than $50 million in recoveries. We work with nursing home professionals who understand what safety protocols should be implemented – and with urologists, proctologists, and other healthcare professionals who diagnose and treat bladder and bowel injuries, infections, and diseases. We’re ready to help you assert your right to hold nursing homes and staff accountable when their negligence causes physical and emotional harm to residents with bladder and bowel disorders.
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How can we help?
- What are the types of bladder disorders nursing home residents may suffer?
- What are the treatments for bladder disorders?
- What are the types of bowel disorders nursing home residents may suffer?
- What are the treatments for bowel disorders?
- How do you hold nursing homes accountable for bladder and bowel injuries?
- How much is my bladder or bowel injury worth?
- Do you have a nursing home bladder or bowel attorney injury near me?
What are the types of bladder disorders nursing home residents may suffer?
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) states that the estimates are that urinary incontinence affects between 50% and 65% of nursing home residents. More than half of those residents also have fecal incontinence.
The urinary tract includes the bladder, kidneys, ureters, and urethra. The kidneys filter the blood and create urine which travels through the uterus to the bladder where the urine is stored. At the right time, the bladder muscles should contract causing the urine to exit the body through the urethra. That’s the way your bladder system is supposed to work.
Numerous urinary disorders can make the discharge of urine difficult or can prevent the bladder system According to the UV Irvine Health Department of Urology, bladder disorders generally involve overactive, and neurogenic bladder conditions (which include symptoms of “incontinence, urinary tract infections, pain in the pelvis, and possible breakdown of kidney function.)”
Urinary tract infections (UTIs) may be due to different causes including cognitive illnesses, catheter use, and a weakened immune system. Untreated UTIs can cause numerous complications such as sepsis, kidney damage, and recurrent infections.
Urinary incontinence may be due to weak pelvis muscles or urethra muscles, or nervous system disorders. Other causes of bladder discomfort include dehydration, kidney stones, and trauma. The risks of infections and dehydration are generally higher in nursing homes. The NIH states that immobility and dementia are leading factors for urinary incontinence.
The symptoms of urinary and bladder disorders include changes in the smell, color, and cloudiness of the urine. A nursing home resident with a bladder disorder may experience pain. Some urinary disorders cause a person to need to frequently urinate. Other symptoms can include fever and chills, abdominal cramps, general illness, unexplained weight loss, sepsis, anemia, and other symptoms. A urine/bladder disorder can be life-threatening.
What are the treatments for bladder disorders?
The treatments for urinary orders may include antibiotics to treat infections, bladder training, cancer-fighting treatments, biofeedback, medications to relax the bladder, pessaries (somewhat akin to a diaphragm), physical therapy, lifestyle changes, and surgery.
What are the types of bowel disorders nursing home residents may suffer?
The NIH identifies constipation, diarrhea, and fecal incontinence as common bowel disorders in nursing homes. The Mayo Clinic states that irritable bowel disease (IBD) is another common bowel disorder. IBD includes ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease.
One of the more common bowel conditions for nursing home residents is fecal impaction: when feces back up inside the large intestine. Per the Cleveland Clinic, “Nearly half of all elderly people in nursing homes have fecal impaction. This is the result of decreased mobility, neurological disorders and/or a side effect from medications.” It can be incredibly painful, and it’s almost always preventable. But if it is left untreated for too long, it can lead to a life-threatening complication, such as bowel perforation or internal hemorrhage.
Residents may also suffer bowel pain or discomfort if they develop gastroenteritis, an inflammation of the intestines and stomach. This viral infection can spread quickly and easily, especially if the nursing home is lax about preventative measures such as hand washing, or has a water supply that has been contaminated.
What are the treatments for bowel disorders?
For nursing home residents with fecal incontinence, pad use and fixed toilet schedules are commonly used. The use of laxatives and enemas are also common for fecal incontinence.
Common treatments for constipation included laxatives, enemas, dietary interventions, and manual emptying of feces. Fixed toilet schedules are also used by RNs for constipation.
Diarrhea treatments included Loperamide and dietary interventions.
How do you hold nursing homes accountable for bladder and bowel injuries?
Nursing homes should have infection-prevention protocols including regularly checking for bladder and bowel disorders. Nursing home staff should understand catheter safety issues. Nursing home staff should be able to promptly identify the symptoms of bladder or bowel disorders and should also be able to have a qualified licensed medical providers examine and treat the resident – or contact the resident’s physicians immediately.
Our nursing home bladder and bowel disorder lawyers work with professionals who understand what healthcare protocols that should be in place to anticipate and respond to these disorders. We also work with our network of physicians who can diagnose the disorder, explain the likely complications, discuss all the ways the disorder makes the lives of nursing home residents difficult, identify the treatments for the disorder, and the cost of the treatments.
How much is my bladder or bowel injury worth?
At Garcia & Artigliere, we understand how traumatic it is to live with pain, anxiety, and agony. It’s hard enough feeling healthy when you do everything you can to preserve your health. Most seniors fight every day to manage the current medical disorders they do have. It’s demoralizing when nursing home neglect causes new medical disorders that make daily tasks like bladder and bowel movements nearly impossible.
We demand compensation for all your damages including all your medical bills, pain and suffering, and any financial damages. We also request transfers to safer facilities and orders compelling nursing homes to create and implement safer health protocols.
Do you have a nursing home bladder or bowel injury attorney near me?
Garcia & Artigliere represent nursing home residents who have bladder and bowel disorders or complications due to nursing home negligence. We’ll calmly and clearly guide you through each step of your claim.
Speak with our nursing home and bowel and bladder attorneys today
Being unable to go to the bathroom, going too often, or living with urinary or bowel disorders is painful and demoralizing. For many nursing home residents, the discomfort can be traumatic Many bladder and bowel disorders are treatable with prompt attention. Often, there are adjustments that can be made to minimize the anxiety and trauma of incontinence, constipation, and other bladder and bowel disorders.
Garcia & Artigliere fights for nursing home residents who are suffering when they should be enjoying their senior years. We’re experienced and respected nursing home abuse and neglect lawyers. Call us or contact us today to schedule a free consultation. We have offices in California, Louisiana, and Arizona today. We serve clients throughout the country. There are no costs and we do not receive a fee – unless your claim is successful.
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