Nursing Home Abuse LawyerCrawford County, 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 Crawford County that has experience fighting Nursing Home Abuse Lawsuits. Our Personal Injury Law Firm in Crawford County 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 won't stop until the business or individual who harmed your loved one is held fully responsible for their actions. 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 Crawford County 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 loved one look like they've lost an unhealthy amount of weight? Their caregivers may not be feeding them regularly. Have they develop sores on their underside, or have agitated red skin? They aren't being moved or rotated, and now they are developing sores because of it. Is your family member nervous or unusually quiet around staff members? 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

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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. 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. 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 Crawford County have identified these conditions as possible signs of malnourishment:

• Skin Issues - The skin will take on a yellow hue, and in darker complexions, the skin may appear dull and heavily wrinkled. 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 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 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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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 Crawford County 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 - The skin has now developed a sore or a blister, and the area around it will be discolored.
• 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.

Remember, bed sores, or the other name they are known by, pressure sores, are 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. 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 Crawford County 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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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. You should never accept any excuses they give you, and you may even be able to call the authorities. Here are several signs to look for when you suspect your loved one is being abused or neglected:

• Financial Exploitation - This can be easy to miss if you don't keep a detailed log of their finances. {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 - 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 being physically abused, you can call the police. 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 Crawford County 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. Psychological abuse is as terrible as any physical abuse.

Here is a short video our Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers in Crawford County 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 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 Crawford County 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 Crawford County now to protect your family.