Nursing Home Abuse LawyerCarmi, IL

Fighting Negligence and Abuse in Nursing Homes

Nursing Homes and Long-Term Care facilities stake their reputations on trust and dependability, and that's why you choose the facility that you did. That nursing home broke your family's trust the day they neglected and abused your loved one. You need a Personal Injury Lawyer in Carmi that has experience fighting Nursing Home Abuse Lawsuits. Our Personal Injury Law Firm in Carmi takes nursing home abuse and negligence extremely seriously, and we hold these institutions responsible for the damages and injuries that they caused to the families that trusted them. 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. Our consultations are free, and we don't charge any fees unless we win your family's nursing home abuse claim. Call or contact our Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers in Carmi now.

How can I tell if my loved one is being abused in a nursing home?

Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer Carmi

There are always signs that will show if your loved one is being abused or neglected by their care providers. Is your loved one looking malnourished and thin? They may not be eating, or their caregiver might not be feeding them. Does your loved one have red areas on their body or what appear to be sores forming on their skin? If they are bed or wheelchair bound, then they aren't being moved regularly to prevent these sores. Does your family member appear nervous or refuse to cooperate with nursing home staff? It's possible that your loved one is being harmed 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. This isn't right, and it's not ok. Your family member needs and deserves their food, and they should get it. Negligence and abuse are never ok, and you can sue the nursing home in court. What are other clear signs of possible malnourishment? Our Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers in Carmi have identified these conditions as possible signs of malnourishment:

• Skin Issues - The skin may appear heavily wrinkled and yellow, and in darker complexions, it may take on a dull apearance. 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. Yeast infections or thrush infections are also a sign, and cause white patches to develop on the cheeks and tonuge.
• Eye Issues - Worsening vision is a clear sign of malnourishment, as well as overly red eyes, glassy eyes, or swollen corneas.
• Muscular Problems - If your loved one is weak after completing simple everyday tasks, or their muscles appear flaccid, the may be suffering from 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 sores and ulcers and can quickly become life threatening. If your loved one developed bed sores while in an assisted living facility, they were most likely not moved regularly, and were given neglectful or no attention. 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 Carmi 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 - Sores surrounded by discolored skin are now developing.
• 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 - Bones, muscles and ligaments are visible at this stage, and infection is nearly guaranteed.

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. 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 Carmi now. We'll take care of your family and your loved one.

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. Abuse does happen in nursing homes, and unfortunately, its happing to your family member in an assisted living facility that you trusted. 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 - 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 type of abuse leads to malnourishment, possible bed sores, dirty living conditions, and often serious infections. 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. Along with a lawsuit, you can call the cops for any sign of physical abuse. 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 Carmi 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 Carmi 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 Carmi 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 Carmi now to protect your family.