Two Villa Feliciana Medical Complex employees, accused of hitting a patient, were arrested on November 13, 2009, and booked into the East Feliciana Parish Jail.
Hitting a patient is considered an intentional tort or battery by Louisiana law, and any claim for injuries and damages suffered by the struck patient generally fall outside the Louisiana Medical Malpractice Act. Other types of abuse and neglect of the elderly in nursing home settings will generally fall within Louisiana Medical Malpractice Act.
The National Center for Elder Abuse estimates that between 1 and 2 million Americans age 65 or older have been injured, exploited, or otherwise mistreated by a caregiver. If that caregiver is a nursing home or other healthcare provider licensed by the State of Louisiana, a complaint should be filed with the Health Standards Section of the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals. The Health Standards Section will investigate any good-faith and timely complaint against the health care provider, and if the complaint is verified, appropriate action will be taken.
If you or a loved one are the victim of elder abuse, neglect or mistreatment, contact the Baton Rouge, Louisiana nursing home malpractice lawyers at Dué Guidry Piedrahita Andrews Courrege L.C.. Email Louisiana injury lawyers or call (225) 929-7481 to schedule a free consultation.