A nursing home should be a safe place for your older relatives and loved ones. Finding out that a facility instead neglected or abused your family member can be enraging, but you do have a chance to try and make things right. A Memphis bedsore lawyer from our firm can help you build a nursing home abuse or neglect case, and then we can help you hold people responsible for their actions and negligence.
What Are the Types of Nursing Home Abuse?
Our firm has experience dealing with many types of nursing home abuse. We have seen cases where a resident is:
- Physically abused
- Deprived of water and food
- Isolated from other patients
- Sexually abused
- Restrained physically or with medication
- Not treated for their existing medical problems
- Being taken advantage of financially
- Kept in unsanitary conditions
Any of these situations can be considered abuse or neglect. Your loved one deserves so much better, so you need to take any actions that you can to protect them.
What Signs of Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect Can I Look For?
Your relative might be scared to come right out and say that they are being mistreated. That is why you should look out for signs of abuse and neglect. You may notice:
Injuries: An older person getting injured occasionally is not all that odd on its own. However, if you notice frequent injuries with no explanation, that could be a sign of physical abuse.
Changes in personality: Abuse or neglect might cause your loved one to withdraw. They might be irritable, less talkative, and more timid.
Odd behavior of staff: If a caregiver does not seem to want to leave you alone with your loved one, that can be an indication that something strange is going on.
Sudden weight loss: If your loved one loses a lot of weight and it is not related to an existing condition, they may not be receiving the proper care.
Odd financial transactions: Someone who is financially abusing your loved one could be taking money out of their account or using their credit cards. They may even try to add themselves to wills, titles, and other documents. Keeping an eye on a loved one’s finances and estate is a necessity.
What Should I Do When I Suspect Abuse?
You need to act to build a case and protect your loved one. Taking the following actions can help:
- Take pictures of any injuries
- Notify the police
- Report the issue to the nursing home
- Get your loved one medical treatment
- Remove them from the nursing home, if you think that is necessary
Then it may be time to talk to a personal injury attorney. We can help you build a case against the nursing home and hold any negligent or malicious people accountable for what they have done and what your loved one has experienced.
Contact a Personal Injury Attorney Today
Schedule your free initial consultation with Ballin, Ballin & Fishman, P.C today. We can help you learn more about your legal options and how you can begin to make things right.
