Nursing Home Abuse LawyerJerseyville, 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. 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 Jerseyville that has experience fighting Nursing Home Abuse Lawsuits. Our Personal Injury Law Firm in Jerseyville 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 fight for the complete and total recovery of your family. We never charge to discuss your case, and you won't owe our lawyers any fees unless we win your nursing home abuse claim. Call or contact our Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers in Jerseyville 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? Their caregivers may not be feeding them regularly. Are their visibly apparent red spots or sores on their skin? If they are bed or wheelchair bound, then they aren't being moved regularly to prevent these sores. Does your family member appear nervous or refuse to cooperate with nursing home staff? It's possible that your loved one is being harmed 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 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 be taken care of, not abused and punished. This is not ok. 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 Jerseyville 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 - Worsening vision is a clear sign of malnourishment, as well as overly red eyes, glassy eyes, or swollen corneas.
• 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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For individuals that are immobile or stuck in beds or wheelchairs for large amounts of time, bed sores are an issue. 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 Jerseyville 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 - 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 - 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 Jerseyville 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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Abuse can be hard to spot, especially when your loved one may 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. This is not an acceptable act, and its possibly criminal. Here are several signs to look for when you suspect your loved one is being abused or neglected:

• Financial Exploitation - You may not notice this until serious damage has already been done. {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 - 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 Jerseyville 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 Jerseyville 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 Jerseyville 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 Jerseyville now to protect your family.