Nursing Home Abuse LawyerGillespie, IL

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. Your family's trust and your loved one's health have been violated by the very institution you chose. You need a Personal Injury Lawyer in Gillespie that has experience fighting Nursing Home Abuse Lawsuits. Our Personal Injury Law Firm in Gillespie 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 will make sure that your family and your loved one get the full recovery they deserve and are owed. 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 Gillespie now.

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

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There are several signs that point to either abuse or neglect in a nursing home or long-term care facility. Does your family member look emaciated? Their caregivers may not be feeding them regularly. Does your loved one have red areas on their body or what appear to be sores forming on their skin? If they are bed or wheelchair bound, then they aren't being moved regularly to prevent these sores. Is your loved one unwilling to work with certain staff members or appear afraid? It's possible that your loved one is being harmed 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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If they aren't being fed or they aren't being given good food, 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. 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 Gillespie 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 - Poor or worsening vision, extremely red eyes, and swollen corneas are clear signs of malnourishment.
• Muscular Problems - If their muscles appear flaccid, or they are abnormally weak in stamina or strength, these are clear signs 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 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 not a guaranteed ailment, and are easily avoidable when residents are given the care and attention they need. Here are the different stages of bed sores our nursing home abuse lawyers in Gillespie 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 - Infection is common at this stage, and the wounds are quite severe.

Remember, bed sores, or the other name they are known by, pressure sores, are preventable. 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 Gillespie now. We'll take care of your family and your loved one.

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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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. Abuse does happen in nursing homes, and unfortunately, its happing to your family member in an assisted living facility that you trusted. 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 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. For physical abuse, you can call the cops. You should also sue the nursing home that allowed this abuse to happen. Our Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers in Gillespie 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 can be as violent and detrimental as actual physical abuse.

Here is a short video our Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers in Gillespie have prepared:

Are there any laws governing nursing home care?

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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 Gillespie 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 Gillespie now to protect your family.