Nursing Home Abuse LawyerBoone County, MO
Fighting Negligence and Abuse in Nursing Homes
You should be able to trust the Nursing Home or Senior Care Facility that your loved one relies on. Your loved one was abused by the nursing home that your family trusted to care for their health, and they need to be held accountable for their horrible act. You need a Personal Injury Lawyer in Boone County that has experience fighting Nursing Home Abuse Lawsuits. Our Personal Injury Law Firm in Boone County holds nursing homes and assisted living facilities accountable for the abuse and neglect that they put their residents through, and we always hold these businesses accountable to the fullest letter of the law. We have the experience that your family needs to fight this Nursing Home Abuse lawsuit, and we will make sure that your family and your loved one get the full recovery they deserve and are owed. Our meetings are free of charge, and we don't charge any lawyers fee's unless we win your family's nursing home abuse claim. Call or contact our Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers in Boone County now.
How can I tell if my loved one is being abused in a nursing home?
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Neglect and Abuse are identifiable by a series of signs that will show if your loved one is being mistreated. Does your family member look emaciated? They may not be receiving the nutrition or meals they are allowed. Have they develop sores on their underside, or have agitated red skin? They need to be moved to prevent these sores, and their caregiver isn't giving them the attention they need. Is your loved one unwilling to work with certain staff members or appear afraid? Your loved one may, unfortunately, be suffering from either abuse or harassment by the staff. Listed below are several signs to look for when trying to determine if your loved one is being either abused or neglected by their caregivers.
1. Nursing Home Abuse Malnourishment
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This is one of the more visibly apparent forms of nursing home abuse. The signs of malnourishment or a lack of feeding include thin skin, emaciation, and a general appearance of weakness or fatigue. You're paying for your loved one to get the care and food that they need, regardless of any difficulties your family member may present. Malnourishment is never acceptable, and you can sue a nursing home for any lack of care or attention that they aren't providing to your loved one. What are other clear signs of possible malnourishment? Our Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers in Boone County have identified these conditions as possible signs of malnourishment:
- Skin Issues - Yellowed and wrinkled skin are a sign of malnourishment, as well as visually dull skin on darker complexions. An additional warning is that the skin under the fingernails will take on a pale hue.
- Mouth Sores or Discoloration - Sores inside the mouth or the face as well as red skin indicate malnutrition. Thrush and Yeast also develop from malnutrition.
- Eye Issues - Noticeably worse vision, overly red or glass eyes, and swollen corneas are the tell-tale signs of malnutrition.
- Muscular Problems - If their muscles appear flaccid, or they are abnormally weak in stamina or strength, these are clear signs of malnourishment.
Here is a short video detailing Nursing Home Abuse Malnourishment, and how our Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers can help.
2. Nursing Home Abuse Bed Sores
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For individuals that are immobile or stuck in beds or wheelchairs for large amounts of time, bed sores are an issue. They develop as ulcers and sores and can quickly become serious infections that if not dealt with, can lead to death or loss of limbs. If your loved one developed bed sores while at a nursing home, they were neglected and not given the care they deserve. Bed Sores are even common in intensive care units. Bed Sores are not a guaranteed ailment, and are easily avoidable when residents are given the care and attention they need. Here are the different stages of bed sores our nursing home abuse lawyers in Boone County have identified that can show your loved one may have bed sores:
- Stage 1. Bed Sore - Itchy red skin that is warm to the touch.
- Stage 2. Bed Sore - The skin has now developed a sore or a blister, and the area around it will be discolored.
- Stage 3. Bed Sore - The sore or blister is now at a more dangerous stage, and is causing a wide cavity to open in the flesh.
- Stage 4. Bed Sore - Infection is common at this stage, and the wounds are quite severe.
These types of sores are easily preventable. Negligence caused the sores, and negligence can be sued. You can sue for bed sores, and you absolutely should. Negligence is never ok, and should never be accepted regardless of what excuse the nursing home or long-term care facility gives you. Call our Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers in Boone County now. We'll make sure your loved one gets the care and recovery they deserve.
Here is a short video about Bed Sores and what you can do about them.
3. Nursing Home Abuse or Mistreatment
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When abuse happens, it can be hard to notice, and its possible your loved one may not be willing to admit or not able to admit that they are being abused. The thought that the nursing home or assisted living facility you've placed your loved one in is abusing them is a horrible thought, but it does happen. The acts are often criminal and never acceptable. Here are several signs to look for when you suspect your loved one is being abused or neglected:
- Financial Exploitation - This type of abuse can be hard to catch. {Higher than normal credit card bills, missing checks, or Wills that have been recently altered could be clear signs of financial exploitation of your loved one|If their credit cards are maxed out, if they are missing checks, or their will has been altered and you weren't alerted, this is a clear sign of exploitation|If their checks have gone missing, if their credit cards are being declined, and if any of their other finances appear to out of order, these can be signs of exploitation|The signs for this type of abuse will be altered wills, mysterious power of attorney forms, maxed out credit cards, and missing checks.
- Neglect - This form of abuse can be seen by signs of malnourishment, lack of bathing, lack of sanitary conditions in their room or place, bed sores, or general dirtiness. Neglect from a caregiver can also lead to self neglect.
- Physical Abuse - Abuse is apparent when your loved one has unexplained scratches, bruises, broken bones, and other physical marks they didn't have before. For physical abuse, you can call the cops. Even after the police have made their report, you can still sue the nursing home or assisted living facility. Our Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers in Boone County will fight for the recovery and rights of your loved one.
- Psychological Abuse - If your family member appears afraid of their caregiver or nervous when the individual is around, but your loved one doesn't have any visible bruises, they may be suffering from psychological abuse. This type of abuse is bullying, and can cause wounds as terrible as physical ones.
Here is a short video our Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers in Boone County have prepared:
Are there any laws governing nursing home care?
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The Nursing Home Reform Act set the laws and regulations that govern assisted living facilities today. These laws have to be followed, and can be used to prove that your loved one is not getting the care and attention they deserve, or that their rights are being taken away. According to the Nursing Home Reform Act, here is a quick breakdown of the rights your loved one can expect:
- Freedom from Abuse
- Freedom from Restraints
- The Right to Privacy
- The Right to Accommodation of social needs, psychological needs, physical needs, and medical needs
- The Right to Participate in Resident and Family Groups
- The Right to be treated with dignity
- The Right to exercise self-determination
- The Right to communicate freely
- The Right to review and participate in any aspect of the care they are receiving and any changes to it
- The Right to voice grievances
Your loved one has rights, by law, and if they've been violated you can pursue legal action against the Nursing Home or Assisted Living Facility that was entrusted with their care. Our Personal Injury Lawyers in Boone County are well versed in the laws the govern nursing homes and the levels of care that residents are entitled to. We can help you and your family if you decide to pursue a claim against the assisted living facility. You have options, and those who harmed your family can be held accountable. Call or Contact Our Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers in Boone County now to protect your family.