Nursing Home Abuse LawyerClayton, MO

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. 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 Clayton that has experience fighting Nursing Home Abuse Lawsuits. Our Personal Injury Law Firm in Clayton 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 won't stop until the business or individual who harmed your loved one is held fully responsible for their actions. 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 Clayton now.

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

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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 receiving the nutrition or meals they are allowed. Are their visibly apparent red spots or sores 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 they are either being abused or neglected 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. 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. Regardless of any difficulties your loved one may present when they are either eating, or if they have to be fed, your family is paying for the correct and proper care of your loved one. You can and should sue a nursing home that neglects your loved one, and causes them to become malnourished or emaciated. What are other clear signs of possible malnourishment? Our Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers in Clayton 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. Another sign is that the skin beneath fingernails will appear white.
• Mouth Sores or Discoloration - Canker Sores are bright red skin around the mouth and lips can be a sign on malnourishment. Thrush or Yeast infections may also be present and can cause white patches to develop on the cheeks and tongue.
• Eye Issues - Worsening vision is a clear sign of malnourishment, as well as overly red eyes, glassy eyes, or swollen corneas.
• 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

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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 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 easily avoidable if nursing homes give each resident their due diligence. Here are the different stages of bed sores our nursing home abuse lawyers in Clayton have identified that can show your loved one may have bed sores:

• Stage 1. Bed Sore - The skin is red, warm to the touch, and your loved one may find it itchy or is already itching it.
• Stage 2. Bed Sore - Sores or blisters are now appearing on the skin.
• Stage 3. Bed Sore - Tissue damage below the skin causes the sore to open and turn into a 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. Negligence caused the sores, and negligence can be sued. You can sue for bed sores, and you absolutely should. Their negligence caused your loved one to suffer, and if you let them continue to treat your loved one, it will happen again. Call our Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers in Clayton 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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Abuse can be hard to spot, especially when your loved one may 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. Abuse is wrong, neglectful, and possibly criminal. Here are several signs to look for when you suspect your loved one is being abused or neglected:

• Financial Exploitation - If you aren't checking their finances daily, it can be easy to miss. {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 - Abuse is apparent when your loved one has unexplained scratches, bruises, broken bones, and other physical marks they didn't have before. If your loved one is suffering from any of these types of abuse, the police can be involved in the abuse. You can also, and should also sue. Our Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers in Clayton will fight for the recovery and rights of your loved one.
• Psychological Abuse - If your loved one is nervous around a caregiver, or is hesitant to talk when they are around, they could be the victim of psychological abuse. 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 Clayton 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 Clayton 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 Clayton now to protect your family.