Nursing Home Abuse LawyerColumbia, MO

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 Columbia that has experience fighting Nursing Home Abuse Lawsuits. Our Personal Injury Law Firm in Columbia 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 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 Columbia 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. Is your loved one looking malnourished and thin? They may not be eating, or their caregiver might not be feeding them. 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. Is your loved one unwilling to work with certain staff members or appear afraid? It's possible they are either being abused or neglected 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. If they look thin, tired, emaciated, or seem overly fatigued after simple tasks, they may be getting the food they need. 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. 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 Columbia 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 - If the mouth appears bright red, or if cankers sores are present, your loved one may be malnourished. Thrush or Yeast infections may also be present and can cause white patches to develop on the cheeks and tongue.
• Eye Issues - Noticeably worse vision, overly red or glass eyes, and swollen corneas are the tell-tale signs of malnutrition.
• 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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Bed sores are an ailment that arises from individuals who are immobile, causing wounds that can eat down to the bone. They develop as sores and ulcers and can quickly become life threatening. If your loved one developed bed sores while in the care of a nursing home or assisted living facility, it's a clear sign of neglect and lack of care. 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 Columbia 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 - At this stage, infection is an extreme possibility. Bones, muscles, and tendons may be visible at this stage.

Remember, bed sores, or the other name they are known by, pressure sores, are preventable. Proper care and attention is a direct combatant to bed sores, and if your loved one was being taken care of, they wouldn't have the 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 Columbia 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

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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. Nursing home abuse does happen, and it's never easy to hear that the assisted living home you trusted abused your loved one. 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 - 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 - 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 can also, and should also sue. Our Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers in Columbia 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. Psychological abuse is as terrible as any physical abuse.

Here is a short video our Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers in Columbia 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 are not suggestions, they are laws, and have to be followed to the letter of the law. 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 Columbia 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 Columbia now to protect your family.