Nursing Home Abuse LawyerPhelps County, 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 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 Phelps County that has experience fighting Nursing Home Abuse Lawsuits. Our Personal Injury Law Firm in Phelps County 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 make sure that the nursing home or assisted living facility is held fully liable for the harm they've caused your family. Our consultations are free, and we don't charge any fees unless we win your family's nursing home abuse claim. Call or contact our Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers in Phelps County now.

How can I tell if my loved one is being abused in a nursing home?

Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer Phelps County

There are always signs that will show if your loved one is being abused or neglected by their care providers. Does your family member look emaciated? They may not be receiving the nutrition or meals they are allowed. Do you see red sores or skin issues appearing on your loved one? They aren't being moved or rotated, and now they are developing sores because of it. 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 Phelps County, MO

This is one of the more visibly apparent forms of nursing home abuse. 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. 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 Phelps County 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. An aditional 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. Thrush and Yeast also develop from malnutrition.
• 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

Nursing Home Neglect Lawyer Phelps County

Bed sores are an ailment that arises from individuals who are immobile, causing wounds that can eat down to the bone. They develop as sores and ulcers and can quickly become life threatening. 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 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 Phelps County have identified that can show your loved one may have bed sores:

• Stage 1. Bed Sore - The skin is red, warm to the touch, and your loved one may find it itchy or is already itching it.
• 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 - 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 Phelps County 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 Phelps County

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. Abuse does happen in nursing homes, and unfortunately, its happing to your family member in an assisted living facility that you trusted. 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 - If you aren't checking their finances daily, it can be easy to miss. {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 - Scratches, bruises, broken bones, and other physical signs often show that your loved one is being abused. For physical abuse, you can call the cops. You absolutely should sue the nursing home that abuses your loved one. Our Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers in Phelps County 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 Phelps County have prepared:

Are there any laws governing nursing home care?

Elder Abuse Lawyer Phelps County, MO

The Nursing Home Reform Act is clear on the laws and rights guaranteed to nursing home residents. 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 Phelps County 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 Phelps County now to protect your family.