Nursing Home Abuse LawyerChesterfield, MO
Fighting Negligence and Abuse in Nursing Homes
When choosing an assisted living facility for your family member, trust is a huge part of the choice. Unfortunately, your family member has been abused by the very care providers that were entrusted with their care. You need a Personal Injury Lawyer in Chesterfield that has experience fighting Nursing Home Abuse Lawsuits. Our Personal Injury Law Firm in Chesterfield fights to protect the rights of nursing home and assisted living center residents, and we fully and aggressively pursue all businesses or individuals who harm those who can't care for themselves. We have the experience that your family needs to fight this Nursing Home Abuse lawsuit, and we'll fight for the complete and total recovery of your family. 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 Chesterfield now.
How can I tell if my loved one is being abused in a nursing home?
Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer Chesterfield
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. Have they develop sores on their underside, or have agitated red skin? Your loved one, if they are immobile, may not be getting the attention that they need, or having their position. Does your family member appear nervous or refuse to cooperate with nursing home staff? Your loved one may, unfortunately, be suffering from either abuse or harassment 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
Elder Abuse Lawyer Chesterfield, MO
A lack of eating or nutrition has obvious and apparent effects on a person. If your loved one appears abnormally thin, or emaciated, it's possible that their either malnourished and receiving poor quality food, or they aren't being fed. This isn't right, and it's not ok. Your family member needs and deserves their food, and they should get it. You can sue an assisted living facility that isn't providing your loved ones with the care you are paying for. What are other clear signs of possible malnourishment? Our Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers in Chesterfield 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. Another sign is that the skin beneath fingernails will appear white.
- 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 - Poor or worsening vision, extremely red eyes, and swollen corneas are clear signs of malnourishment.
- Muscular Problems - If they are overly tired, and their muscles appear weak or flaccid, this is a sign 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
Nursing Home Neglect Lawyer Chesterfield
Bed sores are an ailment that arises from individuals who are immobile, causing wounds that can eat down to the bone. 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 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 preventable, and they are treatable. Here are the different stages of bed sores our nursing home abuse lawyers in Chesterfield 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 surrounded by discolored skin are now developing.
- Stage 3. Bed Sore - The sore worsens and turns into as cavity.
- Stage 4. Bed Sore - Bones, muscles and ligaments are visible at this stage, and infection is nearly guaranteed.
These sores are not common, and you should not accept excuses that they are. 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. 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 Chesterfield now. We'll hold the nursing home responsible for their actions, and make sure that your family receives everything they need to move forward.
Here is a short video about Bed Sores and what you can do about them.
3. Nursing Home Abuse or Mistreatment
Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer Chesterfield
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. You trusted the assisted living facility to take care of your loved one, and instead, they treated them terribly and abused them. 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 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. Along with a lawsuit, you can call the cops for any sign of physical abuse. You can also, and should also sue. Our Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers in Chesterfield 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 Chesterfield have prepared:
Are there any laws governing nursing home care?
Elder Abuse Lawyer Chesterfield, MO
The Nursing Home Reform Act is clear on the laws and rights guaranteed to nursing home residents. These laws are enforceable by law, and must be followed. 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 Chesterfield 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 Chesterfield now to protect your family.