Nursing Home Abuse LawyerMacon, IL
Fighting Negligence and Abuse in Nursing Homes
Trusting the Nursing Home or Senior Care Facility that cares for your loved one should never be a question. 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 Macon that has experience fighting Nursing Home Abuse Lawsuits. Our Personal Injury Law Firm in Macon 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 Macon 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. 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. 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
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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. You can sue an assisted living facility that isn't providing your loved ones with the care you are paying for. What are other clear signs of possible malnourishment? Our Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers in Macon 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. Another sign is that the skin beneath fingernails will appear white.
- 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 - Worsening vision is a clear sign of malnourishment, as well as overly red eyes, glassy eyes, or swollen corneas.
- 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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For individuals that are immobile or stuck in beds or wheelchairs for large amounts of time, bed sores are an issue. 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 Macon 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 - 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. 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 Macon 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. The nursing home that you trusted with the care of your family member has abused them, and that is horrible and reprehensable. You should never accept any excuses they give you, and you may even be able to call the authorities. 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 - Abuse is apparent when your loved one has unexplained scratches, bruises, broken bones, and other physical marks they didn't have before. 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 Macon will fight for the recovery and rights of your loved one.
- Psychological Abuse - If your loved one is nervous around a caregiver, or is hesitant to talk when they are around, they could be the victim of 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 Macon 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 Macon 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 Macon now to protect your family.