Henry County Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer
People who put their parents and other elderly relatives in nursing homes trust that they will get the best care possible, yet nursing home abuse is shockingly common in America. Serious physical, verbal and even sexual abuse happen frequently in the nation’s nursing homes and assisted living facilities, according to recent investigations.
Fortunately, a Henry County nursing home abuse lawyer can help. Speak with an experienced personal injury attorney that can fight for justice for your family.
Typical Issues
Federal health and safety standards protect nursing home residents from abuse, and annual inspections by federal and state authorities are supposed to ensure these standards are met. But all too often, the standards are ignored or violations missed by inspectors.
Common problems stemming from nursing home abuse include untreated bedsores, inadequate medical care, malnutrition, dehydration, preventable accidents, and inadequate sanitation and hygiene. Many of these abuses cause significant harm to the residents. In extreme cases, they can even result in premature death.
Physical Abuse
In many cases, members of the nursing home’s staff are found to have committed physical or sexual abuse. Investigations have uncovered cases of residents being punched, slapped, choked or kicked by staff members or other residents, causing injuries such as fractured bones or lacerations. In a few instances, staffers have been cited for failing to protect people from abuse by other residents.
It is very important for individuals visiting relatives at the nursing home to keep a sharp eye out for evidence of neglect or abuse. If the facility is not providing the level of care it is required to by law, there may be grounds for family members of abused residents to bring forth a civil suit, and a Henry County nursing home abuse lawyer could help.
Shortage of Staff
Some nursing home industry representatives admit to nationwide difficulty in attracting and keeping quality staff members such as licensed vocational nurses and certified nursing assistants. Nonetheless, it is the responsibility of each facility to provide the kind of care that residents and their families are entitled to expect.
Sometimes understaffed nursing homes resort to putting residents in physical restraints, a practice which is forbidden by federal health and safety standards unless there is a specific medical need for the restraints. Understaffing can also result in poor sanitation, vermin infestation, and other forms of neglect.
Theft in Nursing Homes
Another problem that often arises at nursing homes is theft of the residents’ personal property. Typically, written requests must be submitted and processed before a nursing home employee can handle any amount of a resident’s money. Also, an accurate record must be kept of all money deposited with the facility.
How a Henry County Nursing Home Abuse Attorney Can Help
In the event of nursing home abuse, the victim’s family must produce evidence that the care they received did not meet the standard for the industry. Gathering such evidence is time-consuming, so the process must begin quickly after the negligence happens.
Seasoned nursing home abuse attorneys can understand the importance of this evidence, from medical test results to eyewitness testimony and more. Contact a Henry County nursing home abuse lawyer today and know that you are in capable hands.
