What Qualifies as Nursing Home Negligence?

Nursing home abuse refers to any act by a caregiver or other person in a nursing home that causes serious harm or death to an individual living there. These acts can be committed intentionally or can be due to nursing home negligence by the staff. Nursing home abuse cases are best handled by an experienced nursing home abuse lawyer.

Nursing home abuse can occur in any facility catered to the elderly. The abusers can be nurses, doctors, orderlies, or any staff located at the nursing home facility.

What are the signs of Nursing Home Abuse?

If you have a loved one in a nursing home facility, there are a number of signs you can look for that may point to potential elder abuse or nursing home negligence in the facility. Here are few warning signs to watch for:

• Nursing home staff doesn’t like visitors to show up unannounced.
• Nursing home staff does not leave you alone with the nursing home resident
• The nursing home staff argues frequently with resident
• Bedsores
• Poor hygiene
• Extreme weight loss
• Soiled and dirty bedding left on beds
• Bruises, broken bones, or abrasions on the resident
• Changes in personality
• Fear of being alone
• Depression or extreme sadness
• Change in alertness or overmedication

What Do I Do when I Suspect Nursing Home Abuse?

Attorneys universally agree; if you suspect abuse, immediately remove your loved one from the situation. If possible, move them to a new nursing home or another situation away from where the believed abuse is occurring. Report the abuse at the nursing home, document everything you can, and immediately contact a nursing home abuse attorney.

Your nursing home abuse lawyer will help you file a claim with the nursing home as well as gather any evidence needed. Your nursing home lawyer will be in contact with the lawyers from the nursing home facility and will keep you updated on the progress of your case. Once the facility has responded to your suit, your nursing home attorney will then work with them on a settlement.

Many cases of nursing home negligence are handled outside of court through settlements between the lawyers of both parties. Your nursing home abuse lawyer will be working to ensure that your loved one gets the outcome they deserve.

Speaking Out on Elder Abuse Helps Everyone

You may receive monetary settlements for the nursing home negligence claim; however, you can also help prevent future abuse to other elderly residents with your claim. You will be shedding light on an issue within the facility, and can help keep other families from going through the pain of elder abuse.

Working with a nursing home abuse lawyer is your best bet at getting financial compensation and changes to policy for future residents. Your nursing home abuse lawyer will give you the expertise you need to fight the nursing home for the resident’s rights. Your case will be handled with care when it is in the hands of a professional nursing home abuse lawyer.