Nursing Home Abuse LawyerSt. Peters, MO

Fighting Negligence and Abuse in Nursing Homes

When choosing an assisted living facility for your family member, trust is a huge part of the choice. 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 St. Peters that has experience fighting Nursing Home Abuse Lawsuits. Our Personal Injury Law Firm in St. Peters holds nursing homes and assisted living facilities accountable for the abuse and neglect that they put their residents through, and we always hold these businesses accountable to the fullest letter of the law. 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. 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 St. Peters now.

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

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Neglect and Abuse are identifiable by a series of signs that will show if your loved one is being mistreated. Does your family member look emaciated? They may not be eating, or their caregiver might not be feeding them. Have they develop sores on their underside, or have agitated red skin? Your loved one, if they are immobile, may not be getting the attention that they need, or having their position. Is your family member nervous or unusually quiet around staff members? The staff may be abusing them. Here are several signs that can indicate your loved one isn't receiving the care they are owed.

1. Nursing Home Abuse Malnourishment

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If your loved one isn't eating, it will show. If they look thin, tired, emaciated, or seem overly fatigued after simple tasks, they may be getting the food 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. Negligence and abuse are never ok, and you can sue the nursing home in court. What are other clear signs of possible malnourishment? Our Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers in St. Peters have identified these conditions as possible signs of malnourishment:

• Skin Issues - The skin will take on a yellow hue, and in darker complexions, the skin may appear dull and heavily wrinkled. An additional warning is that the skin under the fingernails will take on a pale hue.
• Mouth Sores or Discoloration - Canker Sores are bright red skin around the mouth and lips can be a sign on malnourishment. Thrush and Yeast also develop from malnutrition.
• 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 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 St. Peters 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 - Infection is common at this stage, and the wounds are quite severe.

These sores are not common, and you should not accept excuses that they are. 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 St. Peters 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 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 thought that the nursing home or assisted living facility you've placed your loved one in is abusing them is a horrible thought, but it does happen. 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 - 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 - Abuse is apparent when your loved one has unexplained scratches, bruises, broken bones, and other physical marks they didn't have before. If your loved one is being physically abused, you can call the police. You can also, and should also sue. Our Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers in St. Peters will fight for the recovery and rights of your loved one.
• Psychological Abuse - Psychgological abuse is when a care provider verbally abuses your loved one, and causes your loved one to act nervous around them, or hesitant to speak. Psychological abuse is as terrible as any physical abuse.

Here is a short video our Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers in St. Peters have prepared:

Are there any laws governing nursing home care?

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The Nursing Home Reform Act details the rights that nursing home residents have. 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 St. Peters 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 St. Peters now to protect your family.