HOW TO SPOT NURSING HOME ABUSE

The staff members of long-term care facilities have a duty to provide continuous and appropriate nursing care and attention. Still, elder abuse has sadly become an American epidemic: The true scope of the problem is not fully known because the residents of these facilities may suffer from Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, or other cognitive conditions that prevent them from recognizing or effectively communicating instances of abuse.

A common misconception is that mistreatment exclusively occurs in small or underfunded nursing homes. Neglect can occur in any long-term facility, regardless of its size, reputation, or quality of amenities provided. Do not assume that your elderly loved one is safe from abuse just because you have placed them in a well-regarded facility, as a single rogue care provider could still perpetrate harm. You must always be vigilant when visiting your loved one, evaluating their well-being, and watching for red flags. If you are concerned about your loved one but are not sure whether you have a case, our nursing home abuse attorneys are happy to review your situation and discuss your options.

Some of the most common warning signs of nursing home neglect and abuse include:

• Unexplained bruises, broken bones, or other physical injuries: If you notice your loved one has suffered minor or major injuries, be sure to ask them what happened. If they do not give you a straight answer or seem to evade the question, they may have been injured by a member of the staff and fear reprisal. If they suffer from cognitive decline, they may not be able to convey how the injury occurred, but any type of physical harm always warrants further investigation.
• Presence of bed sores or decubitus ulcers: Pressure bed sores tend to signal a lack of proper nutrition and mobility, suggesting the facility’s staff is not properly attending to or caring for your loved one.
• Medication errors: You should always be cognizant of the medications your loved one is prescribed and ensure they are taking the proper dosages. If your loved one is not taking their medication when they are supposed to or does not appear to have access to their medication at all, neglect or abuse may be to blame.
• Dehydration or malnutrition: Senior care facility providers should always ensure your loved one has the food and water they need to stay strong and healthy. This includes facilitating routine, quality meals. When your loved one appears weaker than they should be, they may not be getting proper sustenance.
• Unsanitary conditions: Your loved one’s living space and facility common areas should be clean and well-maintained. A long-term care facility is likely shirking its duty to its patients if there has been no apparent effort to keep these areas safe and hygienic.
• Lack of attending staff: Qualified care providers should always be available to you and your elderly loved one. If you struggle to find employees during your visits or your loved one complains about never being able to find anyone to help them, the facility may not be appropriately staffed.
• Unexplained death: While unthinkable, there are some scenarios where you may learn your loved one has passed away under suspicious, ambiguous circumstances. If left unchecked, some of the aforementioned factors – particularly medication errors, physical abuse, and lack of nutrition – can lead to death.

RECOVERING COMPENSATION FOR NURSING HOME ABUSE

If you or someone you love has suffered abuse or neglect at the hands of a long-term care facility, you may be able to secure compensation for economic and non-economic losses. However, you must file a civil lawsuit against the negligent facility before your state’s statute of limitations expires. This means you must take legal action sooner rather than later, as the precise time limit that applies to your case will depend on where the abuse occurred. You should talk to our team at Potts Law Firm as soon as you begin to suspect abuse or neglect. If you wait too long, you may be unable to recover any damages, even if you have substantial evidence.

Our nursing home abuse lawyers will fight to get your family compensation for all applicable losses, including:

• Medical expenses for abuse-related injuries
• Pain and suffering
• Mental anguish
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Wrongful death

In some cases, we may also be able to secure punitive damages, which are intended to punish especially reckless or malicious defendants. We understand the importance of holding negligent facilities accountable and will do everything we can to secure the just compensation you and your loved one deserve.