Learn the Truth About Nursing Home Neglect and Elder Abuse
By: Daniel Berry | Posted: 14th October 2009
It's a hard decision to entrust a loved one to the care of strangers. Your loved one might be scared or confused when placed in unfamiliar surroundings. They might suffer from dementia, angry outbursts, or the inability to speak. For families of elders who require constant care, a nursing home might seem like the best solution.
Unfortunately, nursing home abuse has reached its highest levels in recent years. If you believe that your loved one is being mistreated by the very people you trusted to keep them safe, you might have a basis for a nursing home abuse lawsuit.
Negligence and Abuse
Negligence occurs when a nursing home resident is injured through lack of care. This negligence can include the presence of bed sores due to soiled sheets and improper turning; malnourishment due to improper feeding; or infections due to generally unsanitary conditions.
Elder abuse occurs when a nursing home doctor or staff member willfully engages in acts that damage the nursing home resident. This can include physical abuse, emotional and verbal abuse, sexual abuse, or the intentional mismanagement of medication and care.
Filing a Lawsuit
If you're concerned for an elderly loved one's well-being, consult a nursing home abuse lawyer in your area. They will be able to help in gathering evidence, performing background checks on the facility in question, and ensuring that you understand the laws governing nursing homes in your state.
Regardless of where you live, nursing homes have a duty, under law, to protect and promote the rights of their residents. They can fulfill this duty by hiring enough qualified staff members and overseeing each resident's treatment. Sadly, when nursing homes are understaffed, and when hiring managers fail to run background checks on employees, the residents are the ones who suffer. If you feel that a nursing home has breached its duty to your loved one, consult an attorney as soon as possible to discuss your options.
Consult with a personal injury or wrongful death attorney if you have been injured or someone you love has died as a result of nursing home neglect. Backed by an experienced attorney, you can be sure your legal rights will be protected. This article is free for republishing
Printed From: http://www.goinglegal.com/learn-the-truth-about-nursing-home-neglect-and-elder-abuse-1172503.html
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Tags: best solution, background checks, dementia, mismanagement, hiring managers, physical abuse, nursing homes, malnourishment, filing a lawsuit, verbal abuse, constant care, bed sores