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Physical Abuse or Easy Bruising?

PHYSICAL SIGNS OF ABUSE When searching “physical signs of abuse,” many journals and websites list the following physical characteristics: Bruises Cuts Burns Restraint or grip markings Black eyes Unusual pattern of injury Repeated trips to the Emergency Department ….with “bruises” often listed first since most are caused by physical injury. However, there are underlying conditions Read More...

Infection, Delirium, and Homicide

In April, I covered delirium and noted that there are many underlying etiologies that can cause it. One such etiology is infection. Infection and our body Our bodies are constantly fighting infections. Our skin is the first barrier, but we are often exposed to pathogens through open wounds, our respiratory system, or our mouths. Most Read More...

5 Things Criminal Attorneys Should Know About…Pressure Ulcers

We’ve been republishing a series called “5 things criminal attorneys should know about …” where we highlight some areas of medicine that often cross into the criminal fields. The topic of Pressure ulcers was not originally in the series but it is definitely relevant. Cases in which Elder abuse and neglect is charged can be Read More...

When does in-home caregiving turn into Elder Abuse/Neglect?

In many criminal cases, Adult Protective Services and the police are called because a patient arrives at the hospital with multiple and severe wounds called pressure ulcers. They often are septic because the wounds have gotten infected and in the elderly it leads to an altered mental state very rapidly. This leads to an investigation Read More...

IHSS Neglect cases – legal implications

Regardless of whether the case is criminal or civil, there must be proof that the caregiver was negligent and that the negligence was what caused the patient to become ill. Whether the caregiver was a family member or an IHSS provider or both will play a role in the case. What training did they receive, Read More...