What do I do if I subject my loved one is suffering from nursing home abuse and elder neglect?

Learning that your parent, grandparent, or elderly loved one has been neglected or abused while in the care of a nursing facility can be devastating. If you’ve shared your concerns with the management of the nursing home, they might have been quick to tell you that you cannot file a claim because you signed an arbitration agreement. Sadly, there is even a potential of staff instilling fear into you or your loved one in the hopes that you won’t seek a nursing home lawyer for further advice. What you should know right now is that regardless of what the nursing home is telling you, consulting a nursing home lawyer may be the right choice. If you have any concerns about the safety of your loved one, or feel he or she is in imminent danger, it may be in your best interest to reach out to a nursing home abuse lawyer.  

Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect

Unfortunately nursing home abuse and neglect continues to be a pervasive problem throughout the United States. The following are statistics taken from the National Center on Elder Abuse:

• In a study of 2,000 nursing home residents, 44% said they had been abused, and 95% said that had been, or witnessed another resident, neglected.
• Bed sores and urinary tract infections were the most common reasons a resident sought medical attention.
• More than half of nursing home staff admitted to abusing a resident within the last year.
• 92% of nursing homes employ people with a criminal background, and there are no requirements for a Federal background check.
• An abused resident is 300% more likely to die prematurely.
• People with dementia or alzheimer’s are more likely to be abused.

Any type of elder care facility is supposed to offer comfort, medical support, and a safe and clean environment. While many of these places adhere to these basic needs, approximately one third do not, and have been found to be in a federal or state violation within the last year. As the baby boom generation begins to enter these facilities, it is likely for the aforementioned statistics to increase. By reporting abuse or neglect early on, it is possible to put a stop to these types of netrosities while ensuring the future elder generations are safer in nursing homes.

If you believe abuse or neglect is going on, you should talk with a nursing home lawyer to find out what legal options may be available to you. You should reach out to law firm who has been seeking justice for clients for decades. Determined to help elderly people, and their families,  they should be guided by their passion, experience, and knowledge. Having recovered millions in damages for abused elderly people, they should be confident in their ability to help you with your own nursing home abuse case.

To speak with a nursing home abuse lawyer, call a local law firm today who should be ready and willing to listen.