Virginia Beach Personal Injury Legal Blog

Fatigue is very common after a serious brain injury

On behalf of Bennett & Sharp, PLLC posted in brain injury on Friday, April 12, 2019.

Brain injuries can impact your quality of life in many different ways, and some of them may not even seem to be related to the injury. One of the more frustrating ones is an overwhelming and endless sense of fatigue. No matter how much time you spend napping during the day and sleeping at night, you just feel exhausted all the time.

One thing you should know is that this is very common. Some experts say that anywhere from 50 percent to 80 percent of those who suffer traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) deal with some level of fatigue afterward.

5 steps for documenting nursing home abuse

On behalf of Bennett & Sharp, PLLC on Friday, March 29, 2019.

Nursing homes play a valuable role in today’s society. Unfortunately, though, not every nursing home provides the same level of care. In fact, some facilities lack sufficient staff to do the job correctly. While researching a nursing home before placing a loved one there is a good idea, you may not be able to completely eliminate the chances of nursing home abuse.

If you suspect an aging loved one is the victim of abuse in a long-term care facility, you must act quickly to stop the abuse. Whether you plan to file a complaint with the facility or take your concerns to state or federal authorities, you must have some evidence of mistreatment. Here are five steps for documenting nursing home abuse.

Many nursing homes are understaffed

On behalf of Bennett & Sharp, PLLC posted in nursing home abuse and neglect on Thursday, March 28, 2019.

When you visit your loved one in a nursing home, does it take forever for you to find a staff member if you have a question? Do you feel like the residents are just wandering around the home with no one to help them? When your loved one pulls the assistance cord or rings the bell, does it take ages for anyone to show up?

In many cases, nursing homes are understaffed. They simply do not have enough workers on the payroll to get the job done. They may constantly have too few workers, and then they don't have anyone on call to cover shifts when needed. If someone gets sick or doesn't show up for their shift, it is pure chaos for the employees who are there.

Concussion rehabilitation may be important to your recovery

On behalf of Bennett & Sharp, PLLC posted in brain injury on Thursday, March 14, 2019.

If you suffer a concussion, it's important to work closely with your medical team during the recovery phase. Doing so puts you on track to making a full recovery, returning to your normal life as soon as possible.

The severity of your concussion determines the type of treatment you receive. For example, your doctor may want to keep you overnight in the hospital for observation. Also, it's likely that you'll be told to minimize physical and mental exertion for a period of several weeks.

Only a doctor can accurately diagnose a concussion

On behalf of Bennett & Sharp, PLLC posted in brain injury on Friday, March 1, 2019.

A concussion is a serious brain injury that requires immediate treatment by a qualified medical professional. If you attempt to diagnose and treat your condition without medical help, additional damage could occur that complicates your recovery.

A doctor can quickly and accurately diagnose a concussion to insure that you receive the proper treatment at the right time. Here are the steps most doctors take if they suspect a concussion:

Neurological exam. This typically includes checking your reflexes, coordination, balance, hearing, vision, sensation and strength.
Cognitive testing. These tests are meant to evaluate your thinking processes and focus on your ability to concentrate, your memory and your ability to recall past information from your past.
Imaging tests. While neurological exams and cognitive testing are important, your doctor will use imaging tests to get a clear view of your brain. These tests typically include a CT scan and MRI.

What to do if you suspect nursing home neglect

On behalf of Bennett & Sharp, PLLC on Friday, February 15, 2019.

Watching elderly parents lose the ability to care for themselves can be unbelievably heartbreaking. Often, moving your mother or father to a nursing home is the best way to ensure your loved one receives necessary care. Unfortunately, though, healthcare professionals sometimes neglect the needs of their patients.

You should be able to trust a nursing home to take good care of your parent. If the facility’s staff does not do an effective job, you may need to explore legal options to protect your mother or father. Before you file a lawsuit, though, you may want to take some other steps to deal with nursing home neglect.

There are many ways to prevent bedsores

On behalf of Bennett & Sharp, PLLC posted in nursing home abuse and neglect on Thursday, February 14, 2019.

When a person spends too much time in the same position, such as lying down in bed, it impacts the ability of blood to flow freely to the skin. Consequently, the skin is deprived of oxygen and essential nutrients, which can result in a breakdown of its integrity and bedsores.

Some of the ways to prevent bedsores include the following:

Change positions regularly: It's important to never stay in the same position for too long, as this insures that excessive pressure is not put on one part of the body.
Keep skin dry and clean: Dry and clean skin is less likely to develop bedsores. Even if you can't shower, it's important to use warm water and soap and clean your skin with a washcloth.
Use pillows: The use of pillows can help keep your body parts from touching for an extended period of time. For example, when lying on your side, a pillow between your ankles or knees can prevent bedsores.
Don't stop exercising: It's not always easy to exercise when on bed rest, but it's essential to promoting blood flow and maintaining your overall level of health.

Rehab is important after a traumatic brain injury

On behalf of Bennett & Sharp, PLLC posted in brain injury on Monday, January 28, 2019.

If you or a loved one suffers a traumatic brain injury, it's imperative to receive the proper medical care from day one. Doing so increases the likelihood of making a full or near full recovery.

Fortunately, there are many steps you can take after a traumatic brain injury to inch closer toward feeling like your old self. One of the best things you can do is partake in rehab, as directed by your medical team.

What are the symptoms of post-concussion syndrome?

On behalf of Bennett & Sharp, PLLC posted in brain injury on Tuesday, January 15, 2019.

A concussion is a serious injury associated with a variety of symptoms that range from headaches to sensitivity to light. While rest is typically the best way to overcome these symptoms in a timely manner, many people suffer from post-concussion syndrome.

Post-concussion syndrome is a disorder in which symptoms last longer than expected, often for many months or years after the injury occurred.

You simply cannot ignore a traumatic brain injury

On behalf of Bennett & Sharp, PLLC on Friday, January 4, 2019.

Your body uses a network of nerves and synapses to function. Without your brain and spinal column, you would not be able to perform tasks necessary for everyday survival. Still, you may not realize how serious your traumatic brain injury is until you have sustained further injury.

The Mayo Clinic defines a traumatic brain injury as damage to the brain. The cause of these injuries can either be a blow to the head or trauma that pierces brain tissue. If you think you have sustained a traumatic brain injury in an accident, you must act quickly to contain the damage to your central nervous system. Here are three steps you should take following a traumatic brain injury.