Providing Nursing Home Abuse/Elder Care Law Attorney Services in Sacramento, Roseville, Rocklin, Lincoln, Granite Bay, Folsom and throughout California
Elder abuse, which may be physical, emotional, sexual, or financially negligent, is among the most underreported types of violence in the United States. Those who have been placed in nursing homes are totally dependent on their caretakers. Many don’t have the mental capacity to report abuse. Those who do are often afraid that they will be retaliated against. They are entirely dependent on the facility for their food, medicine, and shelter, which usually scares them out of telling anyone.
Nursing homes are frequently understaffed. Many have lax hiring practices and employ under-qualified caretakers. Nursing home occupancy will stretch further past capacity as the American population over 65 continues to grow, increasing the likelihood of abusive situations.
Elder abuse is difficult to detect. Typically, the elder is unable to adequately communicate abuse, so nonverbal warning signs must be assessed. Warning signs of nursing home abuse include the following:
Bedsores
Bedsores, also known as pressure ulcers or decubitus ulcers, are preventable if the nursing home staff takes proper and preventative care. When a resident spends an extended amount of time in one position, there is a substantial risk of developing bedsores. For many nursing home residents, assistance is required to reposition themselves in their beds and chairs. When inadequate training is provided, or insufficient staff is available, bedsores often result.
Bedsores can be a clear indication that something is wrong. This skin condition is caused by resident immobility. It can signal that your loved one is suffering at the hands of inattentive or abusive caregivers. Medical complications involving seniors can be costly. If the medical professionals or facility administrators are at fault for your loved one’s condition, the law empowers you to seek compensation. Call the nursing home abuse attorneys at Ashley Law at 888-ASHLEY-911 if your loved one has developed bed sores while staying in a care facility.
Falls
Slip and fall accidents are a common cause of injury for many nursing home residents. In some cases, the fall was unavoidable. However, some falls are the result of inattentive or negligent caregivers. Injuries to the elderly can be hazardous because of their advanced age and fragility. Recovery could mean paying for a mountain of medical bills.
Dehydration or malnutrition
These conditions can, in some cases, result from a nursing home’s negligence. When a facility is understaffed or provides inadequate training, its workers may lack the ability or means to properly monitor their residents’ eating and drinking habits. The Elderly often require assistance with these tasks.
We all need the proper nutrients and vitamins that come from a well-balanced diet to stay physically and mentally strong, fight off sickness, and maintain an overall healthy life. As we get older, our bodies need these nutrients more than ever. Unfortunately, malnutrition is a severe problem in nursing homes across the nation. Malnutrition occurs when residents are not getting enough food or not getting food rich in nutrients, vitamins, and minerals to meet the recommended daily values for persons of their age.
- Refusal to speak or take medicine
- Refusal to speak or take medicine
- Awkward behavior by staff
- Unexplained weight loss
Further signs can be exhibited by the tension between the elder and the caregiver or a change in the elder’s personality, behavior, or disposition. Physical warning signs can also be present, often in the form of unexplained bruises on the elder’s body, scratches or cuts, or even drowsiness, chapped lips, or a vacant stare due to over medication. Poor hygiene, uncut and dirty finger and toenails, bedsores, or unexplained weight loss can be signs of neglect. Call the nursing home abuse attorneys at Ashley Law at 888-ASHLEY-911 if you suspect a loved one has been the victim of abuse.
The following conditions may also be grounds for filing a nursing home abuse claim against a facility:
Negligent Hiring
Nursing homes have an obligation to their residents to hire staff members who are adequately qualified. They should also have the appropriate education for the position for which they are employed and have no record of abuse or violence. Nursing homes put their residents at risk and are responsible for not completing background checks before hiring employees.
Understaffing
Nursing homes are notorious for cutting corners by not hiring sufficient staff members to save money. When nursing homes fail to employ a reasonable amount of staff members, residents are often neglected.
Additionally, understaffing causes more work for staff members who may not be adequately compensated for their work, often causing a loss of morale and compassion. Nursing homes can be found liable if a resident suffers an injury due to the failure to have an adequate number of caretakers.
3rd Party Responsibility
Since nursing homes must provide a safe environment for the residents, they can be held responsible for any abuse caused by third parties within the residence. For example, suppose a resident is injured by another resident or a guest of another resident. In that case, the nursing home can be found liable if adequate security was not provided to prevent such an incident.
Inadequate Staff Training
Nursing homes can be held accountable when inadequate staff training leads to the injury of a patient. In some cases, nursing home employees are not trained to handle disabled or disobedient residents. In these particular cases, the level of care required by law and is not met. Nursing homes can ultimately be held accountable when inadequate staff training leads to the injury of a patient.
Medication Errors
Nursing home residents can suffer if they aren’t provided the correct medication dosage at the right time. If the resident is injured by a prescription drug error, the physician, pharmacy, or pharmacist can be held accountable.
Suppose you suspect that your loved one is the victim of nursing home neglect, abuse, or negligence. In that case, our nursing home abuse attorneys can help. Contact Ashley Injury Lawyers for your free case evaluation at 888-ASHLEY-911.
