Nursing Home Abuse LawyerCarbondale, IL
Fighting Negligence and Abuse in Nursing Homes
Trusting the Nursing Home or Senior Care Facility that cares for your loved one should never be a question. Your family's trust and your loved one's health have been violated by the very institution you chose. You need a Personal Injury Lawyer in Carbondale that has experience fighting Nursing Home Abuse Lawsuits. Our Personal Injury Law Firm in Carbondale is dedicated to protecting and fighting for the rights of those who have been injured and don't have the recourse or capability of fighting for their rights by themselves. We have the experience that your family needs to fight this Nursing Home Abuse lawsuit, and we'll make sure that the nursing home or assisted living facility is held fully liable for the harm they've caused your family. We never charge to discuss your case, and you won't owe our lawyers any fees unless we win your nursing home abuse claim. Call or contact our Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers in Carbondale 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? Their caregivers may not be feeding them regularly. Are their visibly apparent red spots or sores on their skin? They need to be moved to prevent these sores, and their caregiver isn't giving them the attention they need. Does your loved one looked scared or hesitant to talk around certain staff members? It's possible that your loved one is being harmed by the staff. Here are several signs that can indicate your loved one isn't receiving the care they are owed.
1. Nursing Home Abuse Malnourishment
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If your loved one isn't eating, it will show. 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 be taken care of, not abused and punished. This is not ok. 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 Carbondale 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 - Canker Sores are bright red skin around the mouth and lips can be a sign on malnourishment. 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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Bed sores are common in people who are bedridden or spend most of their time in a wheel chair. They develop as sores and ulcers and can quickly become life threatening. 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 preventable, and they are treatable. Here are the different stages of bed sores our nursing home abuse lawyers in Carbondale have identified that can show your loved one may have bed sores:
- Stage 1. Bed Sore - Skin that is itchy, red, and unusually warm.
- Stage 2. Bed Sore - Sores or blisters are now appearing on the skin.
- 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. If your loved one's care provider was giving them the care and attention they deserve, then your loved one would not have developed blood sores. You can sue for bed sores, and you absolutely should. There is no excuse for their negligence, and you shouldn't accept whatever excuse they offer you. They had their chance. Call our Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers in Carbondale 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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Abuser know how to hide their actions, and even if they don't, your family member might not be willing to admit or not able to admit that they are being abused. The nursing home that you trusted with the care of your family member has abused them, and that is horrible and reprehensable. It is never acceptable, and is often illegal. Here are several signs to look for when you suspect your loved one is being abused or neglected:
- Financial Exploitation - You may not notice this until serious damage has already been done. {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 - The signs for this type of abuse are a lack of bathing, eating, unsanitary room conditions, or even bed sores. Neglect from a caregiver can also lead to self neglect.
- Physical Abuse - You can see this abuse by the physical marks that are left on your family member, such as cuts, bruises, scratches, lost hair, etc. For physical abuse, you can call the cops. You absolutely should sue the nursing home that abuses your loved one. Our Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers in Carbondale will fight for the recovery and rights of your loved one.
- Psychological Abuse - Psychgological abuse is when a care provider verbally abuses your loved one, and causes your loved one to act nervous around them, or hesitant to speak. This type of abuse can be as violent and detrimental as actual physical abuse.
Here is a short video our Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers in Carbondale have prepared:
Are there any laws governing nursing home care?
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The Nursing Home Reform Act sets clear laws and guidelines for the rights of those who are in nursing homes or assisted living facilities. 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 Carbondale 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 Carbondale now to protect your family.