Nursing Home Abuse LawyerDecatur, IL

Fighting Negligence and Abuse in Nursing Homes

You should be able to trust the Nursing Home or Senior Care Facility that your loved one relies on. Your loved one was abused by the nursing home that your family trusted to care for their health, and they need to be held accountable for their horrible act. You need a Personal Injury Lawyer in Decatur that has experience fighting Nursing Home Abuse Lawsuits. Our Personal Injury Law Firm in Decatur 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 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 Decatur now.

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

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If your loved one is being abused, or is being neglected in their care, there are signs that will point to this neglect. Does your loved one's skin look thin, or stay pinched if you scrunch it? They may not be receiving the nutrition or meals they are allowed. Does your loved one have red areas on their body or what appear to be sores forming 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 family member nervous or unusually quiet around staff members? It's possible they are either being abused or neglected by the staff. Here are several prominent signs that your loved one isn't receiving care or is being harmed.

1. Nursing Home Abuse Malnourishment

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A lack of eating or nutrition has obvious and apparent effects on a person. If their skin is sunken, and they look tired and lethargic, or they appear emaciated, they may not be getting the food or nutrition they need. 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 Decatur 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. 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 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 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. These wounds develop from pressure and lack of blood flow, and can cause the loss of limbs and life. 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 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 Decatur 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 or blisters are now appearing on the skin.
• 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 types of sores are easily 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. 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 Decatur 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 isn't always apparent, and your loved one may either 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. 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 - 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 - 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 - Scratches, bruises, broken bones, and other physical signs often show that your loved one is being abused. 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 Decatur 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 Decatur have prepared:

Are there any laws governing nursing home care?

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The Nursing Home Reform Act details the rights that nursing home residents have. These laws can be used to show that your loved one is receiving care that isn't up to the standard 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 Decatur 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 Decatur now to protect your family.