Nursing Home Abuse LawyerSullivan, 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 Sullivan that has experience fighting Nursing Home Abuse Lawsuits. Our Personal Injury Law Firm in Sullivan 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 fight for the complete and total recovery of 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 Sullivan 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 family member look emaciated? They may not be receiving the nutrition or meals they are allowed. Does your loved one have red areas on their body or what appear to be sores forming on their skin? If they are bed or wheelchair bound, then they aren't being moved regularly to prevent these sores. 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. 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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A lack of eating or nutrition has obvious and apparent effects on a person. 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. 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 Sullivan 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. 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 - Poor or worsening vision, extremely red eyes, and swollen corneas are clear signs of malnourishment.
• 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. 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 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 Sullivan 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 types of sores are easily 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. 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 Sullivan 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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Abuser know how to hide their actions, and even if they don't, your family member might not be willing to admit or not able to admit that they are being abused. You trusted the assisted living facility to take care of your loved one, and instead, they treated them terribly and abused them. 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 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. For physical abuse, you can call the cops. You can also, and should also sue. Our Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers in Sullivan 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 Sullivan 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 can be used to show that your loved one is receiving care that isn't up to the standard of the law. 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 Sullivan 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 Sullivan now to protect your family.