Nursing Home Abuse Lawsuits
Nursing home neglect suffered by the elderly occurs in nursing homes, long-term assisted living facilities, and hospitals all across the country. The most vulnerable in our society are deserving of protection, particularly the elderly whose wellbeing is placed in the hands of care facilities, who far too often neglect their patients. Pursuing a lawsuit on behalf of a patient who has suffered abuse or neglect not only results in compensation for wrongdoing, but it also holds long-term care facilities who choose profit over care accountable for their actions. One lawsuit has the potential to change the way that nursing home does business and could prevent future neglect. Signs and Symptoms of Abuse If your loved one displays any of the warning signs of abuse, neglect, or exploitation, take action to address the situation. Such symptoms include:
Nursing home and long-term care patients are often frail or bed ridden, leaving them reliant on their care provider. This leaves the elderly particularly vulnerable to neglect or abuse. Abuse and neglect comes in different types and the warning signs differ. In nursing homes for example:
Neglect and abuse also results when facilities place profit over care. All too often, facility management is a profit motivation for its owners, and when costs are cut the residents suffer. An investigation or lawsuit exposes this behavior and forces owners and managers to change their practices. Look for Signs of Financial Exploitation Physical abuse and neglect is abhorrent behavior that occurs far too frequently, however, individuals should guard against their loved ones being taken advantage of financially. Residents have the right to access all financial forms about themselves and have the right to manage their own financial affairs. Some facilities believe they can mislead patients into paying extra fees, but residents are also entitled to have full information of all available services and the cost of each service. Facilities are also required to produce financial statements to their resident’s legal representative upon request or every quarter. Make sure those representations check out with what your loved one says that facility is providing them. Residents receiving Medicaid are entitled to a monthly Personal Needs Allowance. If your loved one is not receiving this money or is not receiving their full entitlement, this may be a sign of the facility’s financial exploitation. Also, be aware of signs of potential manipulation by facility staffers, which may take the form of the resident signing a power of attorney form or allowing the staffer to manage their money. Financial exploitation or misrepresentation is wrong and those most vulnerable to it deserve to hold those who commit it accountable. Speak with a us About Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect Please contact us, free of charge, about any instance or suspected instance of nursing home abuse or neglect. Every claim has a deadline, so if you suspect any wrongdoing, please contact us. |
|