Nursing Home Injury

Placing a family member in a nursing home is difficult decision, and one that requires us to trust the facility to provide attentive care and a safe environment. Unfortunately, nursing home abuse and neglect are widespread problems. In fact, more than 90 percent of nursing homes were cited for deficiencies in care during a three-year period studied by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Service.

No one should have to put up with substandard care for our elderly loved ones. If you believe your family member may have been injured as a result of deficient care in a nursing home, contact our Sacramento, California nursing home injury attorneys. Call the Arnold Law Firm today at 916-924-3100.

Nursing home residents are uniquely vulnerable to abuse and neglect. Most suffer from physical limitations and are dependent on others for assistance in basic daily activities, such as bathing, dressing, eating and using the toilet.

These same limitations and frailties can make the results of abuse and neglect can disastrous for an elderly family member. Abuse and neglect can cause death, illness or unnecessary health decline, shortened life, and decreased quality of life. If you believe your family member has been injured as a result of negligence or abuse in a nursing home, you may be eligible for financial compensation to offset the cost of nursing home care and medical expenses. You could also be awarded compensation for pain and suffering, and in some cases, punitive damages.

Signs of abuse and neglect can be difficult to detect. Sadly, our elderly loved ones may be reluctant to report abuse or neglect out of fear or shame. And depending on their condition, they may not be aware of abuse or neglect. Signs of abuse and neglect may include bruising, swelling, and changes in behavior or demeanor, including nervousness, increased agitation or fear.

Abuse

Abuse typically means causing intentional pain or harm. According to the National Citizen’s Coalition of Nursing Home Reform, nursing home abuse often includes physical, mental, verbal, psychological, and sexual abuse, physical punishment, or intentional, unreasonable seclusion.

The Nursing Home Reform Coalition provides these examples of nursing home abuse:

• Physical abuse from a staff member or an intruder or visitor from outside the facility—including hitting, pinching, shoving, force-feeding, scratching, slapping, and spitting;
• Psychological or emotional abuse—including berating, ignoring, ridiculing, or cursing a resident, threats of punishment or deprivation;
• Sexual abuse - including improper touching or coercion to perform sexual acts;
• Rough handling during care giving, medicine administration, or moving a resident.

Neglect

Neglect in nursing homes is probably much more prevalent than abuse, and can just as easily lead to death or serious injury. A study on nursing home abuse that was presented to Congress had this to say on the topic of abuse: “The daily misery, indignity, preventable decline, and premature death caused by neglect in nursing homes is truly a national tragedy.”

Neglect in a nursing home can be even more difficult to detect than abuse. According to the National Citizen’s Coalition of Nursing Home Reform, types of nursing home neglect include:

• Incorrect body positioning—which can lead to limb contractures and skin breakdown.
• Lack of toileting or changing of disposable briefs - which causes incontinence and results in nursing home residents sitting in urine and feces, increased falls and agitation, indignity and skin breakdown.
• Lack of assistance eating and drinking which can to malnutrition and dehydration.
• Lack of assistance with walking, which leads to lack of mobility.
• Lack of bathing, which can to indignity, and poor hygiene.
• Poor hand-washing techniques, which can lead to infection.
• Lack of assistance with participating in activities of interest, which can lead to withdrawal and isolation.
• Ignoring call bells or cries for help.

If you believe a family member may be a victim of nursing home neglect or abuse, you deserve answers. Your loved one deserves respect and justice. Investigating nursing home injuries is a complicated process that requires a dedicated and experienced attorney. Proving claims of nursing home injury in court can be difficult. The individual or company that owns the nursing home and their insurance company are likely to field a talented legal team ready to defend their wrongdoing.

If you fear your family member may be among those nursing home residents who have been injured because of neglect or abuse, do not hesitate to call. Do not let questionable nursing home care go unanswered. You deserve to know your legal rights. Contact the Sacramento, California nursing home injury lawyers today for advice on your best course of action. Call the Arnold Law Firm at 916-924-3100 or contact us online. We can help you.