Nursing Home Abuse LawyerOwensville, MO
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. That nursing home broke your family's trust the day they neglected and abused your loved one. You need a Personal Injury Lawyer in Owensville that has experience fighting Nursing Home Abuse Lawsuits. Our Personal Injury Law Firm in Owensville 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 make sure that the nursing home or assisted living facility is held fully liable for the harm they've caused 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 Owensville now.
How can I tell if my loved one is being abused in a nursing home?
Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer Owensville
There are several signs that point to either abuse or neglect in a nursing home or long-term care facility. Does your loved one's skin look thin, or stay pinched if you scrunch it? Their caregiver might not be giving them all the food they need, or the right nutrients. Are their visibly apparent red spots or sores on their skin? They need to be moved to prevent these sores, and their caregiver isn't giving them the attention they need. Does your family member appear nervous or refuse to cooperate with nursing home staff? Your loved one may, unfortunately, be suffering from either abuse or harassment by the staff. Listed below are sings to look out for when you think your loved one is being abused or neglected.
1. Nursing Home Abuse Malnourishment
Elder Abuse Lawyer Owensville, MO
If your loved one isn't eating, it will show. 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. Regardless of any difficulties your loved one may present when they are either eating, or if they have to be fed, your family is paying for the correct and proper care of your loved one. 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 Owensville 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 - Sores inside the mouth or the face as well as red skin indicate malnutrition. Yeast infections or thrush infections are also a sign, and cause white patches to develop on the cheeks and tonuge.
- Eye Issues - Noticeably worse vision, overly red or glass eyes, and swollen corneas are the tell-tale signs of malnutrition.
- 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 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 preventable, and they are treatable. Here are the different stages of bed sores our nursing home abuse lawyers in Owensville 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 - The skin has now developed a sore or a blister, and the area around it will be discolored.
- 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 - At this stage, infection is an extreme possibility. Bones, muscles, and tendons may be visible at this stage.
Remember, bed sores, or the other name they are known by, pressure sores, are preventable. 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. 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 Owensville 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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When abuse happens, it can be hard to notice, and its possible 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. 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 - 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 - The signs for this type of abuse are a lack of bathing, eating, unsanitary room conditions, or even bed sores. 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 can also, and should also sue. Our Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers in Owensville 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 Owensville have prepared:
Are there any laws governing nursing home care?
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The Nursing Home Reform Act set the laws and regulations that govern assisted living facilities today. 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 Owensville 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 Owensville now to protect your family.