Nursing Home Abuse LawyerSte. Genevieve County, 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. Your family's trust and your loved one's health have been violated by the very institution you chose. You need a Personal Injury Lawyer in Ste. Genevieve County that has experience fighting Nursing Home Abuse Lawsuits. Our Personal Injury Law Firm in Ste. Genevieve County 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 will make sure that your family and your loved one get the full recovery they deserve and are owed. 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 Ste. Genevieve County now.
How can I tell if my loved one is being abused in a nursing home?
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There are always signs that will show if your loved one is being abused or neglected by their care providers. Does your loved one look like they've lost an unhealthy amount of weight? Their caregivers may not be feeding them regularly. Have they develop sores on their underside, or have agitated red 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. 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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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 Ste. Genevieve 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. Another sign is that the skin beneath fingernails will appear white.
- Mouth Sores or Discoloration - Canker Sores are bright red skin around the mouth and lips can be a sign on malnourishment. 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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Bed sores are common in people who are bed ridden or spend most of their time in a wheel chair. They develop as sores and ulcers and can quickly become life threatening. 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 Ste. Genevieve County 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 - Sores or blisters are now appearing on the skin.
- Stage 3. Bed Sore - Tissue damage below the skin causes the sore to open and turn into a cavity.
- Stage 4. Bed Sore - At this stage, infection is an extreme possibility. Bones, muscles, and tendons may be visible at this stage.
These sores are not common, and you should not accept excuses that they are. 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 Ste. Genevieve 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
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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. Abuse does happen in nursing homes, and unfortunately, its happing to your family member in an assisted living facility that you trusted. 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 - Abuse is apparent when your loved one has unexplained scratches, bruises, broken bones, and other physical marks they didn't have before. For physical abuse, you can call the cops. You can also, and should also sue. Our Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers in Ste. Genevieve County 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. Psychological abuse is as terrible as any physical abuse.
Here is a short video our Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers in Ste. Genevieve County 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 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 Ste. Genevieve 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 Ste. Genevieve County now to protect your family.