Many of us have been there when we were not given the required treatments we subscribed for. This is tragic because the victim is neither in a condition to fight nor look for a professional who can help, resulting in harassment for the patient and his/her family members.
What is Nursing Home Negligence?
Nursing home neglect is a common issue in the United States. It refers to a tragic situation in which patients admitted to nursing homes get the proper care and treatment they require. It may result in further mental and physical health deterioration.
In short, neglect is when an elderly person’s basic needs, including food, shelter, water, hygiene, medical care, clothing, etc., are not catered to, and it’s unacceptable. Many nursing homes indeed follow good principles, and they respect elderly people. But sadly, many of them neglect their senior patients.
Wondering whether a nursing home neglect lawyer can help you get out of this stressful situation? Definitely yes! You can file a lawsuit against the concerned nursing home with the help of an experienced attorney.
What are the Possible Causes?
Nursing home neglect is often a result of –
- Inadequate staffing
- A lack of appropriate staff training
- Inappropriate hiring practices
- Wrong principles being followed
The Types of Nursing Home Neglect
The different kinds of nursing home neglect include –
- Medical Neglect
- Neglect of Basic Needs
- Emotional or Social Neglect
- Neglect of Personal Hygiene
The Warning Signs: When Should You be Alarmed?
The National Institute on Aging (NIA) suggests that victims must watch out for these warning signs and symptoms of nursing home negligence.
- Dehydration
- Weight loss or weight gain
- Lack of personal hygiene
- Malnutrition
- Dehydration
- Burns or bruises
- Broken bones
- Insomnia
- Choking
- Unexplained injuries
- Soiled bedding
- Unsanitary living conditions
- Missing personal items or property
- Pain in the genitals
- Sexually transmitted diseases
- The patient notices sudden behavioral or personality changes, such as anxiety, fits of anger, depression, confusion, self-harm, withdrawal from everyday activities, etc.
- Unexplained infections
- Severe medical complications may cause the nursing home’s negligence of proving the right medicine at the right time.
The Necessary Actions You Can Take
To carry on with the legal proceedings, hire an experienced nursing home neglect lawyer to build a strong case against the nursing home. Depending on your state laws, your attorney will help to protect your rights and protect yourself from such abusive behavior.
If you suspect that your loved one’s death is a result of neglect by the nursing home staff, you should file a wrongful death lawsuit in that case. Neglect is a sign of abuse and should be reported at once.
Final Words
If you are not quite sure who exactly is legally liable, try consulting a specialized nursing home neglect lawyer who can evaluate the situation and help you file the right lawsuit against the liable person or body. Your attorney will help you receive lawsuit compensations covering medical expenses, mental health therapy, and rehabilitation needs, and other costs incurred upon the victim.
