No one wants to imagine that their senior relative is being mistreated, especially by those who are supposed to be caring for them. But sadly, nursing home abuse and neglect happen more often than people realize. It is important to visit your relative frequently and stay involved in their care. If you notice something doesnāt seem quite right, listen to this feeling and contact our Philadelphia, PA nursing home neglect lawyer as soon as possible. After learning more about the situation and the sign you are noticing, we can advise next steps from there. We can help you safely relocate your loved one if needed and hold the offenders of neglect responsible. Contact Davis & Brusca, LLC for support today.
When visiting your loved one, make sure to observe how they are feeling and their living conditions. Generally, signs of abuse can include bruising, welts, unexplained broken bones, sprains, dislocations, failing to provide medications, restraint marks, broken glasses, and other physical symptoms. Emotionally, a senior resident may start exhibiting odd behavior that is not normal for them, such as mumbling, sucking oneās thumb, rocking back and forth, or mood outbursts. Signs of sexual abuse can entail unexplained STDs, bruising near genitals or breasts, stained or torn underwear, and vaginal or anal bleeding not related to a medical condition. As our dedicated nursing home neglect attorney can investigate, caregiver neglect may show itself in the following ways:
Elderly people who reside in nursing home facilities may be vulnerable to their finances being exploited. Their sensitive information may be accessible to those with ill-intentions. Signs of financial abuse include unexplained withdrawals from bank accounts, changes in estate plan documents, missing cash from room, names being added to credit cards, ATM withdrawals the senior could not have done themselves, lack of medical care even though they can afford it, and atypical goods, services, or subscriptions the senior would not have signed up for.
If you are concerned about how your senior relative is being treated in a nursing home facility, contact our Philadelphia nursing home neglect attorney right away. We can consult with you and investigate further to uncover if mistreatment is happening and how to take action. Sometimes we have suspicions but arenāt sure if they are true. At the very least, you can get peace of mind that your relative is actually okay. But if not, then immediate intervention can occur with our assistance so that your loved one gets placed somewhere safe and the offenders are held accountable. To get help, contact Davis & Brusca, LLC as soon as you can.
Nursing home neglect is a serious issue that affects countless elderly individuals and their families. When a loved one is placed in a nursing home, there is an expectation of care, safety, and respect. Unfortunately, neglect can shatter this trust, leading to physical, emotional, and financial harm. In such situations, a Philadelphia, PA nursing home neglect lawyer can be an essential ally in seeking justice and ensuring the well-being of your loved one.
Nursing home neglect occurs when caregivers fail to provide the necessary care, leading to harm or distress. This neglect can take many forms, including inadequate medical care, poor hygiene, insufficient nutrition, and emotional neglect. Recognizing the signs of neglect is crucial, as it can be subtle and often goes unnoticed until significant harm has occurred.
A nursing home neglect lawyer specializes in cases where residents of nursing homes have been mistreated or neglected. Hereās how they can help you seek justice:
Seeking justice for nursing home neglect is a complex and emotionally charged process. A Philadelphia nursing home neglect lawyer from Davis & Brusca, LLC plays a vital role in investigating the neglect, advocating for your loved oneās rights, and pursuing compensation for the harm caused. By partnering with an experienced lawyer, you can ensure that the responsible parties are held accountable, and your loved one receives the care and justice they deserve.
Your Philadelphia, PA nursing home neglect lawyer can help you protect your loved ones and secure the closure and compensation you deserve. At Davis & Brusca, LLC, we have over 25 years of experience representing thousands of clients, and now weāre ready to help you. Read on to learn what you should do if you suspect nursing home neglect:
The first step in addressing neglect is recognizing its signs. These may include unexplained injuries, poor personal hygiene, sudden weight loss, or a noticeable decline in emotional well-being. Environmental cues can also be indicators, such as unsanitary living conditions or incorrect medication management. Being aware of these signs can help you act swiftly to address potential issues.
Once you notice potential signs of neglect, itās important to document everything. Take notes on specific dates, times, and details of any incidents or changes in your loved oneās condition. Photographs can also be powerful evidence of neglect, such as pictures of unsanitary room conditions or physical injuries. This documentation will be crucial should you need to escalate the issue.
Itās important to communicate your concerns with the nursing home staff and management as soon as you suspect neglect. Request a meeting to discuss your observations and seek explanations. Sometimes, issues can be resolved at this level by addressing misunderstandings or specific staff members. However, always approach this step with a clear record of your concerns and the evidence to support them.
After raising your concerns with the facility, monitor how they handle the situation. Are they conducting a thorough investigation? Is there a noticeable improvement in care? The response of the nursing home can often indicate their commitment to resolving the issue. If you see no improvement or encounter resistance, it may be time to escalate your actions.
If the nursing homeās response is inadequate, or if you believe the safety of your loved one is in immediate jeopardy, contact your stateās regulatory agency that oversees nursing home operations. These agencies can conduct independent investigations and have the authority to enforce compliance with care standards. Reporting your concerns can also help protect other residents who may be in similar situations.
Understanding your legal rights and options is crucial. Consulting with your Philadelphia nursing home neglect lawyer can provide you with guidance on how to proceed effectively. A lawyer can help interpret any documentation you have collected, advise you on legal strategies, and represent you and your loved one in actions against the facility if necessary.
While taking steps to address the neglect, itās also important to consider alternative care options for your loved one. Whether itās another nursing home with higher standards of care or different types of elder care services, ensuring the immediate safety and well-being of your loved one is paramount.
At Davis & Brusca, LLC, we understand how distressing it can be to suspect that a loved one is suffering from neglect. If you suspect nursing home neglect and need guidance or representation, contact us today and see how one of our Philadelphia nursing home neglect lawyers can help.
If your family member was neglected in a nursing home, compensation may be available. Our Philadelphia, PA nursing home neglect lawyer can help. Here are some frequently asked questions and answers about nursing home neglect.
Signs of nursing home neglect can sometimes be subtle but are important to recognize early. Common indicators include unexplained weight loss, poor hygiene, bedsores, untreated medical conditions, frequent falls, or emotional withdrawal. You may also notice soiled clothing or bedding, or that your loved one seems fearful around staff. If anything feels off or if communication with the facility becomes difficult, itās worth investigating further. Trust your instinctsāif something doesnāt seem right, it may be time to consult our nursing home neglect lawyer to explore your options.
While both are serious issues, there is a legal distinction. Abuse typically involves intentional harmāwhether physical, emotional, or financialāinflicted by caregivers or staff members. Neglect, on the other hand, refers to the failure to provide proper care, often due to understaffing, poor training, or indifference. Neglect may not be malicious, but the consequences can be just as harmful. Examples include not providing medications on time, failing to assist with hygiene, or leaving residents unsupervised.
Multiple parties may be held liable, depending on the circumstances. In many cases, the nursing home itself is responsible for failing to ensure proper staffing, training, and supervision. Individual staff members may also be held accountable if they directly contributed to the neglect. In some instances, third-party contractorsāsuch as those providing food service, security, or medical careāmay also share responsibility. Our nursing home neglect lawyer can investigate the situation thoroughly and identify all potentially liable parties to build a strong case.
Victims of nursing home neglect and their families may be entitled to compensation for a range of damages. These can include medical expenses related to the neglect, pain and suffering, emotional distress, and costs associated with relocating to another facility. In more severe casesāespecially where the neglect led to permanent injury or deathāfamilies may pursue wrongful death claims or seek punitive damages to hold the facility accountable for gross negligence.
The time you have to file a claim depends on your stateās statute of limitations, which typically ranges from one to three years. However, the sooner you act, the better. Evidence can disappear, records may be altered, and memories can fade. Prompt legal action gives your lawyer time to investigate thoroughly and protect your loved oneās rights. Donāt wait until itās too lateāstart the process as soon as you suspect something is wrong.
If you believe your loved one has suffered due to nursing home neglect, you donāt have to face this alone. Contact our Philadelphia nursing home neglect lawyer for a consultation. At Davis & Brusca, LLC, weāre here to stand up for your family and ensure your loved one receives the care and justice they deserve.