NURSING HOMES ABUSE / NEGLIGENCE IN NURSING HOME
Nursing Home Abuse & Negligence Lawyer, Elder Care Injury Attorney
Nursing Home Neglect, Injury, Senior Housing Abuse Lawyer | Bed Sores, Weight Loss, Falls, Injuries, Inadequate Nursing Staff Training
Nursing Home Negligence, Elder Care Abuse Attorney
The nursing home abuse attorneys at Parker Waichman LLP, a national personal injury law firm, are skilled at recognizing the signs of nursing home negligence and will work on our client's and their families' behalf to ensure that nursing home facilities protects the residents' right and their living environment is clean and comfortable. If you or someone you care about has been injured while staying at a nursing home, do not delay in contacting Parker Waichman LLP for a free case evaluation by completing our Contact Us form on the right or call 1-800-LAW-INFO (1-800-529-4636) today.
As improvements in healthcare allow more Americans to live longer and the current generation reaches retirement age, difficult questions such as caring for our elderly citizens and affording the cost of such elder care have penetrated our national debate. Most adult children at home want to care for their elderly parents at home; however, it soon becomes apparent to them the realities and responsibilities of modern life do not allow it. Therefore, many elderly Americans who can no longer care for themselves are forced to rely upon nursing homes and other long-term care facilities to provide such care. The level of care required from these institutions ranges from an assisted-living environment to full nursing home care.
If you trusted the staff at the nursing home you selected to care for your loved one and now suspect abuse, you have a legal right to act on your suspicions. Unfortunately, many nursing home residents never mention instances of abuse out of fear that the mistreatment will get worse. Parker Waichman LLP nursing home abuse attorneys can recognize the signs of elder care neglect and will act on the victims and families' behalf to fight back against the abusers to get you the financial compensation you deserve. Parker Waichman LLP handles more nursing home abuse and neglect cases than any other personal injury law firm. Contact Us by completing the form on the right or call us at 1-800-LAW-INFO (1-800-529-4636) today.
Signs and Symptoms of Nursing Home Abuse & Neglect
Nursing home abuse and neglect can often be a "hidden problem" due to the victims' inability to express themselves about the pain and neglect on their own. The following signs are often overlooked by caregivers:
- Bedsores: Caused by unrelieved pressure, friction, humidity and poor nutrition when patients are left unattended in beds for long periods of time without repositioning.
- Weight Loss: Negligent nursing homes often do not have the staff or dedication needed to ensure residents get the necessary nutrition and hydration.
- Origin of Unknown Injuries and Bruises: Nursing home administrators must report any suspected injury of unknown source to the Department of Health.
- Falls: Nursing home management is legally responsible for developing a care plan for each resident to prevent falls.
- Staff Inattention: Most nursing homes are understaffed with overworked nurses and care providers.
Nursing Home Resident Laws
Long-term care for the elderly is typically expensive (in some areas averaging $5,000 per month) and the majority of nursing home residents exhaust a large portion of their assets in a matter of months and become eligible for Medicaid benefits. Over 90 percent of nursing home residents receive Medicaid; therefore it can be inferred almost all nursing home facilities receive Medicaid funds. To participate in the Medicare and Medicaid programs, nursing homes must be in compliance with the federal requirements for long term care facilities as prescribed in the U.S. Code of Federal Regulations (42 CFR Part 483) which states that any senior housing facility accepting Medicaid funds is required to abide by government regulations setting minimum standards for the care of residents in such facilities.
Nursing homes must meet federal residents' rights requirements if they participate in Medicare or Medicaid. Some states have residents' rights in state law or regulation for nursing homes, licensed assisted living, adult care homes, and other board and care facilities. A person living in a long-term care facility maintains the same rights as an individual in the larger community.
Many of these regulations are enforced by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (formerly the Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA)) and are administered through the states. CMS regulations set guidelines for the evaluation, care and treatment of elderly residents in nursing homes and are focused on elderly residents receiving the maximum quality care during the senior's daily life and minimizing elderly abuse and neglect. Notwithstanding the requirements of CMS, substandard care and treatment of nursing home residents has become an increasingly growing problem. Most senior housing institutions providing long-term care for the elderly are owned by for-profit corporations. In order to maximize profits, many of these elderly care institutions have cut back on their nursing staff or hired less qualified workers for lower salaries in an attempt to decrease costs.
The elder care abuse attorneys at Parker Waichman LLP are experienced and knowledgeable in understanding state and federal laws regarding nursing homes and assisted-care living facilities around the country. If you feel that your loved one has been a victim of nursing home abuse and neglect, we urge you to contact us by completing the Contact Form on the right or call 1-800-LAW-INFO (1-800-529-4636) today.
Nursing Homes Abuse and Negligence at Epidemic Levels
Nursing home negligence continues to be a serious problem. The National Center on Elder Abuse estimates at least one in 20 nursing home patients has been the victim of nursing home negligence and or injury, and notes the number may be higher. Additionally, the National Center reported that 57% of nurses' aides in long-term care facilities admitted to having witnessed, and even participated in, acts of negligence and abuse.
Due to limited staff and overpopulated facilities, elderly or disabled patients living in long-term care facilities lack the attention they require. Moreover, elderly residents requiring assistance in daily living activities such as feeding, bathing, walking, etc., do not receive the adequate care they deserve. This neglect can lead to disastrous consequences such as debilitating falls, the development of painful and immobilizing bedsores, malnutrition and sometimes death.
Nursing Home Abuse & Neglect Victims - Legal Help
The attorneys at the personal injury law firm of Parker Waichman LLP can help determine if a loved one has been a victim of nursing home abuse or has sustained an injury due to inadequate care at the assisted-living facility. Our experienced nursing home injury lawyers who have represented nursing homes abuse victims for over 25 years. With our vast experience involving nursing home abuse and negligence, our attorneys understand how devastating these crimes are to victims and their families. According to a recent study, when seniors are abused - emotionally, physically, financially, sexually, or through neglect - the risk of death can more than double. Parker Waichman LLP will work to ensure victims of nursing home abuse and neglect and their families receive the compensation and care they deserve.
If you feel that you or a loved one have been a victim of elder care abuse or neglect, Parker, Waichman, Alonso LLP is prepared to investigate and pursue all available civil damage remedies. Please complete our contact us form or call us at 1-800-LAW-INFO (1-800-529-4636) to speak to one of our qualified nursing home abuse attorneys.
