Las negligencias médicas, o bien, mala praxis, ocurren frecuentemente y a nivel mundial. Aunque usted no lo crea, los países más desarrollados, con los mejores y más preparados médicos especialistas que, además, cuentan con la tecnología más avanzada para tratar a sus pacientes, no se encuentran exentos de cometer un error que podría costarle la vida. 

Si usted ha sufrido un accidente durante el trabajo, ha estado involucrado en un accidente de tránsito, se ha visto envuelto en un caso legal que haya implicado atención médica y, al ser atendido, cree que el médico procedió incorrectamente al tratar su enfermedad o lesión, debe ser consciente de lo que es un diagnóstico erróneo y cómo puede proceder ante este. 

En este artículo le explicaremos de qué trata el diagnóstico erróneo, le daremos algunos ejemplos y, más importante aún, le contaremos qué debe hacer si usted ha sido víctima de un diagnóstico de este tipo o bien, de una negligencia médica. 

¿Qué es un Diagnóstico Erróneo? 

Cuando se habla de un “diagnóstico erróneo” se hace referencia al diagnóstico que ha recibido un paciente, luego de ser tratado por un médico, o profesional en el área, que ha sido inexacto, inadecuado o inoportuno y que, en efecto, le ha traído sufrimiento. Esto ocurre paralelamente con la negligencia médica.

Se considera de esta forma ya que, todos los médicos se rigen bajo ciertas normas específicas, con el único fin de preservar la vida del paciente. Esto incluye pruebas y pasos a seguir que, de no respetarse, podrían llevar a recetar el medicamento incorrecto, a remitir al paciente a un especialista que no podrá ayudarle, a pasar por alto el verdadero diagnóstico y, en últimas instancias, a perder la vida. 

Tome en cuenta que, el hecho de no diagnosticar una enfermedad o lesión también se considera como un diagnóstico erróneo. 

¿Cómo saber si usted ha sido víctima de un Diagnóstico Erróneo?

Los médicos y especialistas también son seres humanos. Al igual que usted, pueden cometer pequeños errores o no recibir la respuesta esperada luego de un tratamiento y no por ello debe considerarse como un diagnóstico erróneo. 

Si luego de tomar en cuenta lo mencionado anteriormente usted considera que su médico ha procedido de forma incorrecta, ha omitido pruebas o no las ha interpretado adecuadamente, le ha causado dolores y sufrimiento, le ha hecho perder dinero o le ha ocasionado pérdidas innecesarias que, de no ser por su negligencia, no hubiesen ocurrido, es posible que usted sea una víctima. 

Sea consciente de que la negligencia puede provenir del hospital y no del médico directamente. Pongamos algunos casos para ejemplificar: si el material utilizado no estaba esterilizado, si el equipo médico estaba defectuoso o si el personal a cargo ha olvidado dar una ronda y esto le ha perjudicado directamente. 

Pero… ¿qué puede hacer usted? Esta es la pregunta más frecuente. Por suerte, si usted ha sido víctima de un diagnóstico erróneo, con la ayuda de un abogado especialista en estos casos, podrá hacer justicia y recibir la indemnización que le corresponde. Aquí le contamos los 3 pasos que usted debe seguir para que su caso sea un éxito rotundo. 

¿Qué debe hacer en caso de ser víctima de un Diagnóstico Erróneo?

Si la negligencia se ha producido por parte del hospital, o bien, por parte de un médico, usted no debe quedarse de brazos cruzados. Si su vida, o la vida de alguien que usted conoce está en riesgo, debe actuar de inmediato. En casos como este el tiempo vale oro y puede marcar la diferencia. 

1. Reúna todas las pruebas que estén a su alcance

Si usted tiene bajo su poder constancias médicas, récipes, radiografías, estudios, diagnósticos o cualquier documento físico que demuestre la negligencia médica de la que ha sido víctima, no la deseche. 

Archivar la mayor cantidad de información posible le permitirá a su abogado construir el caso y formular la demanda sobre una base sólida. Además, es vital para que otros médicos y especialistas puedan servir como testimonio del diagnóstico erróneo del que usted ha sido víctima. En este primer paso todo es válido y cualquier grano de arena cuenta. No desperdicie información por muy irrelevante que le parezca.

2. Contacte a un especialista y obtenga un diagnóstico definitivo

Una vez que haya recopilado todas las pruebas para demostrar que ha sido víctima de un diagnóstico erróneo, es momento de contactar a otro médico capaz de evaluar la información y, en efecto, confirmar que se ha cometido una mala praxis. 

Tome en cuenta que su nuevo médico deberá hacerle un nuevo diagnóstico donde se demuestren las enfermedades o lesiones causadas por el especialista anterior. Su nuevo diagnóstico debe servir como evidencia del incumplimiento de las normas que debe seguir un profesional de la salud. Ponga especial cuidado en este nuevo diagnóstico, después de todo, este será el definitivo y le servirá para formalizar su demanda. 

Por lo general, estos diagnósticos son costosos. Asegúrese de establecer un presupuesto y, de ser necesario, consulte con varios médicos sus honorarios para determinar cuál le conviene más a su bolsillo. No querrá quedarse sin un centavo. 

3. Busque a un representante legal y formalice su demanda 

El tiempo es un factor determinante al momento de hacer una demanda por negligencia médica. Según el estatuto de plazos, usted dispone de 2 años desde la fecha del acontecimiento para formalizar su demanda. En el caso de que usted supere los 2 años, consulte con su abogado para ver las opciones que estén a su alcance. 

Ahora bien, sabemos que no todos cuentan con un abogado de confianza bajo la manga y esto, sin duda alguna, es vital para ganar el caso y obtener la compensación merecida. 

La mayoría de los casos legales y demandas, especialmente las relacionadas con negligencias médicas, son complicadas y suponen estrés, frustración y agotamiento físico y psicológico para el demandante. De ahí la importancia de no contratar a un abogado cualquiera, usted se merece al mejor y al más comprometido con su caso si realmente desea tener éxito.

Para ello, cuenta con el abogado Scott Senft, quien con su experiencia se encargará de todo el proceso legal y se asegurará de que se haga justicia a la brevedad posible. ¡No hay tiempo que perder!

When we put our elderly loved ones into a nursing home, we expect them to be treated with the utmost care and respect. We expect them to be comfortable, have all their needs met, and to have their remaining years be the best they can be. So when our elderly loved one becomes the victim of nursing home abuse, we are filled with a mixture of emotions- Anger, betrayal, fear, guilt, hurt, worry, and many other emotions.

So with all those emotions running through us and knowing the horror our loved ones face, it’s only natural that we want to get justice for them. This means filing a claim for elder abuse in nursing homes. But how do we go about proving they have been abused? How do we get the evidence we need? And how do we find the right lawyer to help us get the compensation our loved one deserves? All those questions and more will be answered.

Identifying the Abuse

There are five different types of abuse in nursing homes that can happen to your loved one. Those types of abuse are- Elderly abandonment, Emotional or Psychological Abuse, Neglect, Physical Abuse, and Sexual Abuse. For more information on these types of abuse and how to recognize the signs and symptoms of them, here is an article to help you identify which form of abuse they have suffered from.

How to Gather Evidence for Your Case

The moment you suspect that your elderly loved one is being abused, begin taking notes of any changes you notice in them. If your normally cheerful and talkative grandmother has now become angry and silent, make a note of when that difference started occurring. Behavioral changes are a red flag that abuse has started, so noting the difference in behavior is your first form of proof in building your case.

Every time you visit your loved one, get the information of everyone who is working during your visit. This includes their name, title, and any other information that might be relevant to building up evidence. If someone new has been assigned to care for your loved one, or if any staff members are new hires, make sure to keep a close eye on them when you visit. If the abuse started around the time they were hired or assigned to your loved one, there is a good chance they might be the abuser.

To go along with this, talking to the staff members you encounter can lead to evidence as well. Don’t hesitate to record your conversations with them, especially if they are quick to cover up, downplay, or dismiss your concerns for your loved one. This is normally a sign that they know about the abuse and want to keep it under wraps. So record those conversations and keep a watchful eye when you visit.

Other things you can do are speak to others who are visiting their loved ones and see if they notice any changes to their behavior. If they have made similar observations or heard similar complaints from their loved one, get their name, contact information, and a written statement if they are willing to provide one. Also, taking photographs and videos can help back up your loved one’s claim. If they are claiming physical abuse, take photos of their bruises, bed restraints, or anything else that might have contributed to their physical abuse. By having the photos to back up their claim, you are only strengthening your claim.

The most important thing you can do is listen to what your loved one has to say. It’s easy for people to dismiss an older person’s words as senile ravings, but dismiss what they have to say. Every concern, comment, complaint, or remark your loved one makes, take it seriously and listen to them. Not only is this evidence, but it also shows your loved one that you’re on their side and believe them when no one else does.

If you notice your loved one is suffering from abuse, get them out of the nursing home as soon as possible. Call 911 and ask for an ambulance and the police. Call your loved one’s primary care provider so they can look over your loved one and offer their professional opinion on the injuries your loved one sustained. Report the nursing home to your State Adult Protective Services Office with the following information:

• The incident date
• Name of the person(s) involved
• Names and addresses of any witnesses
• Description of harm done
• How the nursing home responded

By doing everything listed above, you are building a strong case for your claim, putting you one step closer to getting the justice and compensation your loved one deserves.

Contacting a Lawyer

After you identify which form of abuse your elderly loved one experienced and have gathered the evidence needed, it’s time to contact a lawyer. For this, you will want to find a lawyer who specializes in nursing home abuse cases as they will know how to proceed with your claim. With their help, you will be able to determine whether your case is a civil one or a criminal one. They will also be able to assess whether you have sufficient evidence for the “burden of proof” that unlawful abuse took place in whichever form you’re claiming.

Remember- The lawyer’s role is to fairly represent their client’s (the plaintiff) best interests while respecting the legal rights of (the defendant) the nursing home. After all, even though they want to help you prove your claim is truthful, they have to work within the law. So when looking into your case, they must stay within the law to prove these facts:

• The nursing home knowingly and willingly entered into a binding legal contract to provide a “duty of care” to your loved one (the victim).
• The nursing home failed to hold up its end of the contract by neglecting or causing intentional harm to the victim.
• The case evidence and facts gathered prove “on a balance of probabilities” that the abuse you’re claiming is relevant to the proceedings of this case.

Once the lawyer gets all of this information together, it’s time to go ahead with the claim.

What Can I Expect from the Case Process?

A nursing home abuse lawsuit is no different than any other civil lawsuit, so it will follow the typical process of a civil lawsuit. This means before the process even starts, your lawyer will have a discussion with you (the plaintiff). This is done so all evidence that is disclosed is relevant to the case and honest. And once the lawsuit commences, these four steps will happen:

1. Pre-Lawsuit Investigation
2. Discovery
3. Trial Preparation
4. Trial and Appeal

There is a possibility that during these four steps a settlement will be reached, meaning the case won’t make it to trial. 95% of nursing home abuse cases never make it to court, but that is entirely dependent on whether both parties are cooperative. On occasion, cases will make it to the courtroom and can take anywhere from several months up to two years. Rarely do cases go on for longer than two years unless a large sum of money is involved.

If you or a loved one has been the victim of nursing home abuse or nursing home neglect and need an experienced lawyer, call Scott Senft today! With his years of legal experience, he can advise and guide you through your case and help you win! Call today for a free consultation.

In the older years of our life, we aren’t able to do things like we used to. Even the simple task of getting up and getting a drink of water can exhaust an elderly person. With a need for constant help, an elderly person might consider living in a nursing home where they will have around the clock care. This means our loved ones will no longer be at risk for missing their daily medication, exhausting themselves going to a fridge, and should overall have a comfortable remainder of their life.

But sadly, this is always the case. Some of the people we trust with our beloved elders might not give them the care they deserve. In fact, the statistics are horrifying to look at. When 2,000 nursing home residents were interviewed, 44 percent of them said they have been abused. To make this even worse, 95 percent had experienced neglect or seen another resident being neglected. To see these statistics and know our loved ones might not be getting cared for properly is heart-wrenching.

So what type of abuse might our elderly loved one face in a nursing home? And what are the ways we can identify it? Keep reading to find out!

Types of Abuse in Nursing Homes

There are five types of abuse an elderly resident might face in a nursing home. Knowing which abuse your elderly loved one suffered will help a lawyer know what type of claim to file and how much compensation should be asked for. Here are the seven types of abuse and ways to identify them.

Physical Abuse

The National Center on Elder Abuse defines physical abuse of the elderly as “Using some type of physical force on an elderly person that can be expected to cause bodily harm, ongoing impairment, or physical pain. This may include striking the individual with the hands or an object.”

This could also include beating, biting, burning, kicking, pushing, shaking, shoving or slapping the resident. Physical punishment, force-feeding the resident, use of physical restraints, and inappropriate drug usage can also fall under physical abuse.

The symptoms and signs of physical abuse are as follows:

• Broken bones
• Broken eyeglasses
• Bruising
• Dislocations
• Evidence of improper medication usage
• Evidence of restraining devices
• Internal injuries or bleeding
• Lacerations
• Open wounds
• The resident reports being mistreated or physically abused
• Refusal to let visitors see the senior alone
• Skull fractures
• Sprains
• Sudden changes in your loved one’s behavior or personality
• Unexplained cuts or marks
• Welts

If you notice any of this when visiting your elderly loved one, then you have a case of physical abuse on your hands.

Sexual Abuse

It’s horrifying to think that our elderly loved ones might be getting sexually abused by a nursing employee, but it does happen. Sexual abuse is when someone has non-consensual sex or any type of sexual contact with the other party. In the case of elderly sexual abuse, it might include- Coerced nudity, intercourse, photographing the resident while they are naked, sexual assault, sodomy, and unwanted touching.

The symptoms and signs of sexual abuse are as follows:

• A report by the elder that they are being sexually abused
• Bleeding from the anus or vagina
• Bruises on the breasts or genitals
• Underwear that is stained, bloody or torn
• Unexplained genital infections
• Unexplained STDs

If you notice any of this when visiting your elderly loved one, then you have a case of sexual abuse on your hands.

Emotional or Psychological Abuse

Emotional or psychological abuse can be just as damaging as physical or sexual abuse. Where the marks of physical abuse eventually heal over time, the emotional and psychological damage never fully heal. This type of abuse can include- Engaging in verbal assault, harassment, humiliation, intimidation, insults, and threats. This might also mean that the elder is being treated like a child and is “punished” from activities such as seeing their family and friends.

The symptoms and signs of emotional and physical abuse are as follows:

• A report from the elder indicating emotional maltreatment or verbal abuse
• The elder is exhibiting unusual behavior that mimics dementia
• The elder is expressing agitation or being emotionally upset
• The elder stops communicating and is unresponsive or withdrawn

If you notice any of this when visiting your elderly loved one, then you have a case of emotional and psychological abuse on your hands.

Neglect

Neglect is an abuse that has a wide range of ways it can occur. It is the failure or refusal to provide the elder with the necessities they need to live. This includes- Clothing, comfort, food, hygiene, medicine, personal safety, shelter, and water.

The symptoms and signs of negligence are as follows:

• A report by the elderly person of negligence
• Allowing the elder to live with hazardous conditions
• Allowing the elder to live in unsanitary living conditions
• Dehydration & Malnutrition
• Failure or refusal to give them their medication
• Failure in treating health issues
• Untreated bed sores & other wounds

If you notice any of this when visiting your elderly loved one, then you have a case of negligence on your hands.

Elderly Abandonment

Elderly abandonment is defined by The National Center on Elder Abuse as “Deserting the senior by someone who has responsibilities for caring for the individual, or who has custody over them.” In the case of a nursing home, it would be a nurse who is responsible for your elderly loved one.

The symptoms and signs of elderly abandonment are as follows:

• A report from the senior that they have been/ is being abandoned
• Deserting the senior at a public place
• Deserting the senior at a hospital or nursing facility

If you notice any of this when visiting your elderly loved one, then you have a case of elderly abandonment on your hands.

If your elderly loved one has been a victim of elderly abuse in a nursing home, then you are in need of a good lawyer to help you file your claim. Scott Senft is that lawyer, so call him today for your free consultation!

How many times have you heard a legal term that left you scratching your head in confusion? I’m sure that’s most of us. Without practicing law for a living, most of us are unfamiliar with legal jargon. Without the proper knowledge of law terms, we might be facing a potential legal issue daily and be completely unaware of it.

For example, most of us may have faced a tort throughout our life and not realized. You might ask- What is a tort? What are some torts I might have faced without realizing it? Well, we are here to define it for you and provide you with examples.

Defining Tort

Merriam-Webster defines a tort as: A wrongful act other than a breach of contract for which relief may be obtained in the form of damages or an injunction. This is the definition of tort at its most basic. What is a tort?, as defined on lawyer Scott J. Senft’s website is: Torts are acts, or failures to act, that interfere with somebody’s freedom to enjoy their personal and property rights. It is a form of personal injury, spanning across many legal situations.

Torts fall under three types: Intentional, negligence, and strict liability. Let’s take a brief look at each before diving into examples of each.

Intentional

An intentional tort case happens when an individual knowingly and intentionally engages in an action that causes damage or injury to someone else.

Negligenc

This is the most common type of tort. Negligence cases are also intentional, but are caused because an individual acts carelessly. This results in an injured person or a worse outcome.

Strict Liability

Also known as an absolute liability. This is a case where responsibility may be placed on someone without fault or proof of negligence.

Examples of Intentional Torts

Assault

Assault is an attempted battery- hitting or touching someone in an offensive manner- or threatening injury without battery taking place.

Example- Someone pointing a gun at you, causing fear of immediate danger and death, could be claimed as assault.

Battery

Battery is the legal term for physically assaulting someone, or touching them sexually. This covers a wide range of activities, including sending a projectile into someone’s body- as in firing a gun or other weapon that emits projectiles. Battery is also used for criminal charges of a similar act, which are often charged alongside assault.

Example- A bank robber shooting a security guard during a bank robbery.

Conversion

When someone takes another person’s property and “converts” it to their own. In simpler terms- It’s theft.

Example- Using a stolen credit card to buy a new car.

Defamation

This is when someone knowingly spreads false information about someone else that causes harm. This includes both written and spoken words.

Example- Accusing somebody of rape when sex was consensual.

False imprisonment

The technical definition is “confinement without legal authority.” Except in the cases of police detaining a person who they reasonably suspect of a crime, or a shopkeeper keeping a suspected shoplifter for a reasonable time frame, nobody is allowed to restrict another person’s movement against his or her will.

Example- Police detaining someone who clearly doesn’t match the description of a suspect.

Fraud

Fraud is the legal term for providing false information to another person. In order for a successful suit against fraud, plaintiffs have to prove that the defendant knew that what he or she provided were false statements, causing the plaintiff to believe them and rely on that information, causing harm to the plaintiff relying on that information. Fraud can also be charged as a crime.

Example- The Billionaire Boys Club Ponzi scheme that happened in Los Angeles during the early 1980s.

Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress

These are some of the hardest claims to prove in court. In order to prove a claim of intentional infliction of emotional distress, the plaintiff must prove that someone engaged in extreme or outrageous conduct, with the intent of frightening another person, causing severe bodily harm or emotional distress.

Example- The defendant played a practical joke on the plaintiff, falsely telling the plaintiff that a loved one was injured in an accident and is in the hospital with a life-threatening injury. The plaintiff experiences severe emotional distress at the news, leading to the plaintiff having a nervous shock and becoming ill. The defendant is subject to liability to the plaintiff for causing her illness.

Trespassing (Land & Property)

Trespassing comes in two forms: trespass to land and trespass to personal property. Both mean to use a property without the owner’s permission.

Example- Hoping a neighbor’s fence to use their pool while they’re away on vacation.

Examples of Negligence Torts

Criminal Negligence

When a person falls short of fulfilling an obligation or breaches their legal obligation, this is considered negligence. In some cases, this negligence can be considered criminal. The law on criminal negligence is different in each state, with some sending the person charged to jail.

Example- A nurse, doctor, or another hospital caregiver who isn’t paying attention and administers the wrong medication to the wrong patient, resulting in their death could be charged with criminal negligence.

Civil Negligence

When someone is careless or negligent in a way that causes someone else to be harmed, the victim can sue. The term for this civil liability or civil negligence.

Example- A janitor who mops the floor and doesn’t put up the “Wet Floor” sign could be considered negligent.

Examples of Strict Liability Torts

Product Liability

Example- The manufacturer releases a new swing set that they know has a faulty chain holding up the swings. You buy it for your child and they’re swinging on it when the chain snaps, causing them to fall hard and break their arm. You can hold the company liable for your child’s injury.

If a consumer is injured, becomes ill, or dies as a result of a defective product, this falls under strict liability. In these cases, the company is always held liable.

Animal Liability

This falls under a wide category as they include domesticated and wild animals. The law acknowledges the difference between a domesticated animal and a wild animal. For this reason, there are different categories of animals who are subject to strict liability: Livestock, all dogs, dangerous animals, and wild animals.

Livestock

Livestock refers to any animal that is kept as an asset, not as a pet. The owner of the livestock is liable for any damages or physical harm caused by the animal’s intrusion on another person’s property.

Example- A passing car hits a herd of sheep that escaped through a broken fence and wandered onto the road.

Dogs in General

Dogs intersect the categories of livestock and dangerous animals. Though dogs have been domesticated for thousands of years, they are still capable of causing serious damage or injury just as any other animal. If someone has a dog that is known to be a danger, it falls under the category of dangerous animals for strict liability purposes. Under the livestock category, a non-dangerous dog has caused some type of damage or injury that the owner might not be at fault for. Most states law only hold dog owners responsible if their dog bites someone.

Example of a dangerous animal- A dog that is well-known for being dangerous is allowed unleashed onto a front porch and attacks a mother and child walking by the porch.

Example for livestock animal- An excited dog and friendly dog jumps up to greet a visitor and startles them, causing them to step back quickly and fall.

Dangerous Animals

This category refers to any animal or pet that the owner knows is dangerous or has violent tendencies. If there are any damages or injuries caused by the animal, the owner can be strictly liable, even if their animal is not at fault. Any animal can fall under this category as animals and situations are case by case.

Example- An anti-social parrot that has a history of attacking visitors with sharp and potentially deadly claws.

Wild Animals

In the eyes of a law, a wild animal is defined as an animal that isn’t commonly domesticated, despite how long it’s been in a captive environment. The person in possession of this wild animal is liable for any harm done to another person or their property, even if the owner has taken every measure to make sure the animal causes no harm. This list of animals includes, but isn’t limited to: Badgers, bears, coyotes, elephants, lions, monkeys, rattlesnakes, and tigers.

Example- Your pet bear decides to go for a swim in the neighbor’s pool, damaging their landscaping and lawn furniture in the process.

The list of torts includes more situations not listed above as it is a very wide category. If you have been a victim of any of the above-mentioned torts, contact Scott J. Senft for legal advice today! He has experience with many of the torts mentioned above and many more!