How To Identify Nursing Home Abuse Or Neglect
Trust your gut and take action. Keep in mind that your only duty is to your elderly loved one. You do not have to prove that they were abused or neglected in the nursing home. That is our job.
At Reddick Law, we have decades of experience handling nursing home abuse and neglect cases. Our attorneys know how to determine if wrongdoing took place. With that said, there are some things you to watch for that could be signs that something is wrong.
Was The Resident Hurt At The Nursing Home?
The first sign, of course, is a physical injury or other medical condition, like overdose on a medication. While it is true that some medical conditions are unavoidable, it is also true that the nursing home is being paid to do everything possible to prevent injuries and illnesses. Residents breaking bones because of falls, developing bedsores and infections, and other problems should be a rarity in a nursing home or assisted living facility.
It’s also worth noting that abuse is not always physical. Emotional abuse and financial abuse are both serious problems for which nursing homes should be held accountable. Signs of nonphysical abuse can include withdrawal, personality changes and weight loss.
Is Staff Elusive About What Happened?
“It was just an accident” is not an explanation. Staff should be able to explain why your loved one was in a position where they would fall or why the resident developed bedsores. Injuries do not just happen.
Worse yet, if you cannot get staff to talk to you about the situation at all, that is a red flag. If they say they will do an investigation and never get back to you, that is a red flag. If they blame the resident, that is a red flag. If they threaten to evict the resident, which in many cases is illegal, that is a definite red flag.
Perhaps you discovered the medical condition and were not able to find a member of the staff to help. Nursing home staff should be monitoring residents around the clock, so if a doctor says your loved one was injured well before the injury was noticed, or if you suspect the injury was left untreated, that is also a clear sign of negligence, if not direct abuse.
What About Elder Abuse Or Neglect In Assisted Living Or Other Facilities?
Elder abuse and neglect is unacceptable in any location at any time. Just because it did not occur at a nursing home does not mean you do not have a claim. Our attorneys handle cases of elder abuse and neglect in assisted living facilities, memory care facilities, and even in hospitals and under hospice care.
Peace Of Mind Is One Free Consultation Away
The bottom line is that our lawyers are here to help; we will evaluate your case for free. Tell us about the situation and give us any evidence you have that leads you to suspect your loved one was abused or neglected. If we believe there was wrongdoing on the nursing home’s part, we will take action to get answers and pursue compensation. If we don’t, then at least you have peace of mind that someone with decades of experience in these matters has looked at the situation.
Call 877-930-2080 or send us an email.