Nursing Home Abuse LawyerJackson, 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. 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 Jackson that has experience fighting Nursing Home Abuse Lawsuits. Our Personal Injury Law Firm in Jackson 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'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 Jackson now.
How can I tell if my loved one is being abused in a nursing home?
Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer Jackson
Neglect and Abuse are identifiable by a series of signs that will show if your loved one is being mistreated. 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. Have they develop sores on their underside, or have agitated red skin? They need to be moved to prevent these sores, and their caregiver isn't giving them the attention they need. Does your loved one looked scared or hesitant to talk around certain staff members? It's possible they are either being abused or neglected 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
Elder Abuse Lawyer Jackson, MO
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. This isn't right, and it's not ok. Your family member needs and deserves their food, and they should get it. 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 Jackson 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. 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. Yeast infections or thrush infections are also a sign, and cause white patches to develop on the cheeks and tonuge.
- 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
Nursing Home Neglect Lawyer Jackson
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 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 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 Jackson 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 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.
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. Negligence is never ok, and should never be accepted regardless of what excuse the nursing home or long-term care facility gives you. Call our Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers in Jackson 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
Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer Jackson
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 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 - 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. Along with a lawsuit, you can call the cops for any sign of physical abuse. 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 Jackson 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 is bullying, and can cause wounds as terrible as physical ones.
Here is a short video our Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers in Jackson have prepared:
Are there any laws governing nursing home care?
Elder Abuse Lawyer Jackson, MO
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 laws have to be followed, and can be used to prove that your loved one is not getting the care and attention they deserve, or that their rights are being taken away. 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 Jackson 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 Jackson now to protect your family.