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Different Forms of Nursing Home Abuse
Some forms of nursing home abuse come from a place of malice or blatant aggression, and some other forms come from a place of carelessness or neglect. Each are punishable in the civil courts, as well as at settlement tables. Wherever your case goes in the efforts to correct this wrong, we will be there.
Nursing home abuse most commonly involves:
- Assault
- Bedsores
- Overdose
- Dehydration
- Broken Bones
- Malnutrition
- Sepsis
- Aspiration Pneumonia
- Falling injuries
- Negligence
Each of these conditions and events is one that no individual in the care of qualified medical staff should endure and are indicative of faults in the way the nursing home operates itself. It is the aim of our firm to uncover the true cases of these events and demand that you and your family are fairly compensated.
What Compensation Is Available to Victims of Nursing Home Abuse?
Elderly victims of abuse, as well as their families, may be entitled to monetary compensation for damages related to the abuse and/or neglect. “Damages” is a legal term used to describe the economic and non-economic losses associated with negligent or wrongful conduct.
Some examples of common damages available in nursing home abuse and neglect cases include:
- Emergency medical care
- Ambulance fees
- Hospitalization
- Medical treatments, such as surgeries
- Rehabilitation and therapy
- Ongoing and future medical care
- Pain and suffering
- Lost enjoyment of life
- Disability
- Lost income
In some cases, victims may be able to recover what are known as punitive damages. These types of damages are relatively rare, but may be available in cases involving egregious negligence, willful or wanton misconduct, or intentional acts of abuse or neglect. Unlike compensatory damages, such as those listed above, punitive damages are not intended to compensate victims for specific losses; rather, they are meant to punish at-fault parties and send a message that such conduct will not be tolerated.
Our attorneys at the Smith Clinesmith LLP can review your potential case and help identify the damages to which you may be entitled. When it comes to pursuing compensation for our clients, we leave no stone unturned and no possible avenue of relief unexplored. Our goal is to maximize your recovery and help you obtain the financial resources you—and your family—need to heal.
Recognizing the Signs of Nursing Home Abuse & Neglect
Because elderly individuals cannot always express when something is wrong or may be unwilling to speak up about abuse or neglect, it is critical that family members and loved ones know what to look for in order to recognize that an elderly individual is being mistreated.
Some of the common signs of nursing home abuse and neglect include:
- Unexplained injuries, such as bruises, cuts, or broken bones
- Falls/fall-related injuries
- Signs of restraint, such as marks on the ankles and/or wrists
- Sudden weight gain or loss
- Signs of malnutrition and/or dehydration
- Changes in mood or behavior, such as unexplained anger, agitation, or fear
- Unusual signs of anxiety, depression, and other mental health disorders
- Apparent unwillingness to speak or be in a staff member’s presence
- Inability to visit a resident without a staff member present
- Poorly maintained facilities/general uncleanliness or lack of sanitary conditions
- Soiled or dirty clothing or bedsheets
- Symptoms of over- or under-medication
- Unexplained withdrawals from bank accounts
- Changes to a will, trust, power of attorney, health care directive, or similar document
- Elopement
One of the clearest signs of nursing home abuse is an elderly patient stating that they are being mistreated. Always take such accounts seriously and, if necessary, report suspected abuse or neglect to the proper authorities right away. If you believe your loved one or anyone else is in immediate and imminent danger, call 911. All other suspected abuse/neglect can be reported to the nursing home or to the Los Angeles County Elder Abuse Hotline at (877) 4-R-SENIORS (477-3646). For more information on reporting nursing home abuse or neglect in Los Angeles, click here.
Common Causes of Nursing Home Abuse
While it is true that old age carries with it serious health risks, and that some of these incidents cannot be avoided, many are blatant instances of neglect, irresponsibility, and little appreciation for human life.
In pursuing your case, we look at the following causes for your situation:
- Insufficient supervision of the staff
- Insufficient supervision of the patients
- Insufficient training of the staff
- Failure to properly screen the staff
In many cases, the nursing home can be held liable for one individual’s actions, because it us up to the nursing home to maintain and enforce standards that never put its patients in danger.
Contact Smith Clinesmith LLP About Your Case Today!
At the Smith Clinesmith LLP, our nursing home neglect lawyers in Dallas work hard to protect the individual rights of the elderly. We provide all new clients with a free consultation which is completely confidential. Please fill out the form below and see how we can help your loved one receive the care they deserve.
If you believe you or your loved one are the victim of any form of abuse in a Los Angeles nursing home or other form of elderly care facility, call our offices today at (877) 976-8411.
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