Memphis families agonize over the decision to place a loved one in a nursing home. Usually, the decision is based on trust that the professionally trained staff in an elder care facility can create a safe environment for a family member struggling with the physical and mental effects of aging.
Sometimes elder care facilities are not as safe as they should be. Unfortunately, abuse and neglect are problems encountered all too often by residents. If you believe a loved one may be suffering from abuse or neglect, it is important to speak to a compassionate personal injury attorney as soon as possible.
A Memphis nursing home abuse lawyer can assist you with filing a claim and discuss your options for recovering financial relief. Let David E. Gordon negotiate a solution that prevents further damage, offsets losses, and helps with future medical care. En Español
Types of Abuse in Nursing Homes
Most people think of abuse as a physical action such as assault. However, abuse can manifest in many ways, some of which are not immediately obvious to the resident’s loved ones. The different types of nursing home abuse include:
- Pressure sores – these dark spots on the buttocks, hips, or heels are the result of the patient’s inactivity in the bed. These conditions worsen and can actually result in tissue deterioration all the way to the bone if the patient is not routinely turned by staff.
- Physical abuse – staff members using unnecessary force or restraint
- Falls – despite the patient’s obvious need for assistance or protection from falls, the facility neglects the patient and he/she falls repeatedly, sometimes resulting in serious injury or death.
- Malnutrition– overworked or lazy staff failing to respond to requests for assistance or neglecting basic needs of the residents, sometimes resulting in malnutrition.
- Elopement – This is the legal term for a patient’s wandering out of the building and into harm’s way.
It is helpful to know the signs of abuse and how to determine whether it is happening to your family member. For instance, unexplained bruises and broken bones could indicate that a patient is suffering from physical abuse or that their needs are being neglected. If a family suspects something wrong, a nursing home abuse attorney in Memphis can help ascertain whether there is a problem and explain the remedies available to address the situation. Injured patients could be entitled to compensation to cover abuse consequences such as pain and suffering, emotional trauma, and medical treatment.
Nursing Home Contracts
Residents and family members are often asked to sign numerous documents before they move into their chosen nursing home. It is wise to have a legal advisor review these documents before signing if possible, but at the very least, it is beneficial to keep copies in case proof is needed later on.
Arbitration Agreements
Most care facilities will present an arbitration agreement as part of the document package. When someone signs an arbitration agreement, they give away their right to have a dispute settled by a judge in court and instead, disagreements must be decided by an arbiter, who is usually predisposed to side with business interests. Fortunately, families are sometimes able to escape these clauses, which can be made easier with the help of a Memphis nursing home abuse attorney.
Consult a Memphis Nursing Home Abuse Attorney Immediately
Delays in suspected care facility abuse cases could be devastating. The fragile health of many residents makes them more susceptible to both physical and emotional harm. If you notice signs of potential abuse, it is wise to investigate the situation immediately rather than to wait to see if the problem resolves itself.
A Memphis nursing home abuse lawyer can help you build a strong case against neglect or review contractual documents to try to remove the patient from a dangerous situation without penalty. If the abuse resulted in injuries, David E. Gordon can fight to recover fair compensation for the losses your family has suffered. For a consultation to learn more about how a legal advocate could assist your family’s situation, call now.