Nursing Home Abuse LawyerHermann, MO
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 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 Hermann that has experience fighting Nursing Home Abuse Lawsuits. Our Personal Injury Law Firm in Hermann 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'll fight for the complete and total recovery of your family. 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 Hermann now.
How can I tell if my loved one is being abused in a nursing home?
Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer Hermann
There are always signs that will show if your loved one is being abused or neglected by their care providers. Does your loved one's skin look thin, or stay pinched if you scrunch it? 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 aren't being moved or rotated, and now they are developing sores because of it. 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
Elder Abuse Lawyer Hermann, MO
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. This isn't right, and it's not ok. Your family member needs and deserves their food, and they should get it. Negligence and abuse are never ok, and you can sue the nursing home in court. What are other clear signs of possible malnourishment? Our Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers in Hermann 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 - Sores inside the mouth or the face as well as red skin indicate malnutrition. 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 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 Hermann 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 - Sores surrounded by discolored skin are now developing.
- 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. 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 Hermann 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
Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer Hermann
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. The nursing home that you trusted with the care of your family member has abused them, and that is horrible and reprehensable. 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 - 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 - 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 - This type of abuse typically results in scratches, cuts, bruises, broken bones, and in some cases sexual abuse. If your loved one is suffering from any of these types of abuse, the police can be involved in the abuse. You absolutely should sue the nursing home that abuses your loved one. Our Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers in Hermann 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 Hermann have prepared:
Are there any laws governing nursing home care?
Elder Abuse Lawyer Hermann, MO
The Nursing Home Reform Act details the rights that nursing home residents have. 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 Hermann 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 Hermann now to protect your family.