Millions of Americans across the country are being cared for in nursing homes. The number of people needing this level of care is expected to rise over the next several years. While most family members take the time to try and find the right nursing home for their loved one, unfortunately, not everyone is being cared for as well as they should be. Too many elderly people have been injured due to nursing home neglect and nursing home abuse. Those who are responsible for nursing home neglect and abuse should be held liable for injuries.
What is Nursing Home Neglect?
Nursing home neglect occurs when nursing home staff fail to provide a resident with the necessary food, healthcare, shelter, and protection. The consequences of neglect can be serious and include situations such as:
- Unsanitary living conditions
- Untreated medical conditions
- Falls that could have been prevented
- Bedsores
- Dehydration
- Malnutrition
- Poor hygiene
If you are close to your loved one, you are in the best position to recognize that there may be neglect at their nursing home. Your loved one may be acting differently or may even tell you about the poor living conditions. Doctors, nurses, and other healthcare workers have an obligation to provide care that meets a required standard and should be held accountable if they fail to do so.
What is Nursing Home Abuse?
Abuse can occur in many forms, and in the context of nursing homes, it usually occurs as:
- Physical abuse—hitting, bruising, slapping, inappropriately chemically or physically restraining, or otherwise causing physical harm to a resident.
- Emotional abuse—causing mental pain or anguish through verbal or nonverbal means such as threats, humiliation, and intimidation
- Sexual abuse—non-consensual sexual contact of any kind
- Exploitation—illegally taking, concealing, or misusing funds belonging to a resident.
Signs of abuse can include emotional withdrawal, unexplained injuries, and a resident demonstrating fear of staff.
Who Can be Held Liable for Nursing Home Neglect and Abuse?
Nursing homes have to adhere to a strict standard of care. The facilities themselves can be liable for injuries caused by:
- Negligent hiring (failure to run background checks)
- Negligent training
- Failure to properly monitor staff
- Medical neglect
- Failure to provide necessary items such as food and drink
- Lack of adequate security
- Use of dangerous and unnecessary restraints
- Intentional abuse of residents by staff members
If you believe your loved one is being neglected or abused in their nursing home, you should take steps to move them to another facility. You should also contact an experienced nursing home attorney who can help your family explore options.
Contact a Nursing Home Neglect Attorney
If your loved one has been the victim of nursing home neglect or abuse, you should have your case evaluated by an experienced attorney. At Bonina & Bonina, P.C., we have been fighting for the rights of nursing home residents for over 50 years. Contact us online or call us at 1-888-MEDLAW1 to schedule your free consultation. Home and hospital visits are available. Se habla español.