When elderly loved ones are unable to care for themselves, family members often opt to place them in reputable nursing homes to make sure their physical and emotional needs are met. Unfortunately, if a nursing home or member of its staff is negligent or abusive, it could result in devastating injuries or even death to your loved one.
A Chesterfield nursing home abuse lawyer may be able to get you and your loved one the compensation you deserve. By speaking with a compassionate injury attorney, you could hold the responsible parties liable for the harm they caused your loved one.
A staff member in an assisted living facility is expected to provide a certain level of care to patients. If that level of care falls below what is reasonable, the caregiver is neglecting, and possibly abusing, the resident.
Some common instances of improper care involve:
Nursing home facilities may be found responsible if they fail to hire qualified staff, do not do background checks to determine if a prospective employee has a history of abuse or violence, and fail to train employees on how to properly handle disabled, cognitively impaired, or unruly residents. A nursing home may also be held responsible if one patient harms another. A Chesterfield attorney could discuss the facts surrounding the nursing home abuse and build a claim for compensation.
Physical abuse in the form of hitting or slapping is not the only type of mistreatment a care facility resident may suffer. Other types of physical abuse include the use of restraints or overmedication for the benefit of the caregiver, force-feeding, and unwanted sexual contact.
Emotional abuse occurs when a staff member belittles, threatens, insults, manipulates, or intimidates a patient who relies on the staff member for basic needs, such as food and water. The patient may fear the employee will withhold these necessities if the patient complains about mistreatment.
Financial abuse occurs when someone in charge of a patient misappropriates money by writing checks or using credit cards. Employees who steal patients’ valuables, such as wedding rings and other jewelry, are also committing financial abuse, for which the nursing home may be liable.
An experienced local attorney could review medical charts, take witness statements, and consult with experts to build a case against a negligent nursing home and its employees.
Some signs of abuse can easily be misinterpreted. Family and friends of nursing home residents should be aware of these common symptoms of abuse and contact a local attorney immediately if they suspect misconduct. Some common signs of abuse include:
Family members should never be complacent if they suspect an elderly loved one is being abused in a nursing home. It is imperative to seek help as soon as possible to prevent further harm.
The elderly living in nursing homes are among the most fragile citizens and they deserve respect and proper care in their final years. If you suspect that your loved one is being abused or neglected, contact a Chesterfield nursing home abuse lawyer to schedule your free consultation. By holding the at-fault party responsible, you could prevent harm happening to other residents.
