Warning Signs of Nursing Home Neglect or Abuse Families Should Look For
Nursing home neglect and abuse can occur in a variety of ways. For example, residents may be denied food and water. They may be denied access to bathroom facilities and left to languish in wet or soiled diapers and linens, or denied help to take care of their personal hygiene needs. The facility itself can be cluttered, unclean, or there could be environmental hazards, such as medical waste, not properly disposed of that could be dangerous for residents.
Often, there are physical signs a resident is suffering nursing home abuse. Bedsores also referred to as pressure sores, are a common red flag that a resident is being neglected. An elderly resident who is not mobile must rely on staff to turn and reposition them regularly. When staff fail to do so, whether intentionally, negligently, or because the facility is understaffed, the natural result is pressure sores.
Another sign that there is abuse or neglect going on is if the resident has unexplained injuries, such as bruises, lacerations or fractures. If your loved one has suffered such harm in a nursing home, contact a NJ Nursing Home Lawyer from Davis & Brusca immediately. We may be able to help.
What Are the Signs That a Resident May Be a Victim of Financial Abuse?
Nursing home residents may be abused in ways which go beyond physical or emotional abuse or neglect. One example is financial abuse. An experienced NJ nursing home injury lawyer, like the team at Davis & Brusca, will warn you to look for signs that something is wrong, such as when a nursing home resident’s account shows:
- Bank account transfers or withdrawals that the resident does not know about or cannot explain.
- personal checks written out by the resident to a certain staff member or other caregiver.
- Names added to the resident’s bank signature card.
- Changes in the resident’s usual banking habits, such as unexpected or frequent withdrawals.
- Resident’s personal items go missing
- Changes to the resident’s will or other financial documents that no one in the family knew about.
- Resident’s forged signature on title transfers or other financial transactions.
- Resident no longer wants to discuss financial matters with family or loved ones.
The legal team at Davis & Brusca consists of some of the top nursing home injury lawyers in NJ. We understand that many families are forced to place their elderly loved one in a nursing home. We recognize that this decision is usually driven by safety concerns. Families have often reached the point where they can no longer meet their loved one’s needs on their own. Safety may demand round-the-clock care and assistance, or a level of skill that the family simply cannot provide. They should be able to trust that a Nursing home’s staff will be responsible and provide good care.
When a nursing home agrees to admit a resident, they essentially make a promise to the resident and their family. A promise to be responsible. A promise to help with the Resident’s needs. A promise to provide a safe and dignified living environment. A promise that they will meet each Resident’s need for personal hygiene, such as showering and dressing. A promise that they will make sure the resident takes necessary medication. A promise that they will ensure the resident eats right and will have the opportunity to participate in social activities. These promises are known as “duties” in the law. And the law requires that these duties be carried out with both compassion and care. Families rightfully expect nursing homes to meet these legal and moral obligations. When they do not, residents and their families have the right to pursue legal action.
Tragically, not all nursing home staff obey these obligations. When they fail to comply, the result can be serious injury or even death for the elderly residents. Nursing home residents who are not physically or mentally able to care for themselves, may forget to eat and suffer malnutrition. They may fail to take medication and suffer serious harm. They may wander from the facility, fall or suffer other forms of harm because no one is supervising them. These are just a few examples of how a nursing home’s negligence may cause serious harm. It is critical for all families to be aware of any signs that could indicate that someone is abusing or neglecting their loved one. If your loved one has been harmed in these ways, contact the lawyers at Davis & Brusca. We are proud to be the Nursing home Lawyers NJ trusts.
Call Our Law Firm for Legal Assistance
If you believe your loved one may have been the a victim of nursing home abuse or neglect, contact Davis & Brusca, LLC to schedule a free and confidential consultation with a nursing home injury lawyer in NJ and find out what legal recourse you may have.
