Missouri City Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer

Making the decision to move your loved one into a nursing home is often one of the hardest choices that you will make.

However, when their health or well-being is in jeopardy and they can no longer live alone, a live-in care facility is usually the best option. You should be able to put your trust in the nursing home to provide your loved one with competent care; however, abuse can and does happen at these places.

If you believe a live-in care facility caused harm to your loved one through neglect or intentional actions, get in touch with a compassionate personal injury attorney to pursue justice. A Missouri City nursing home abuse lawyer could guide you through a civil suit and help obtain compensation on behalf of your loved one.

Signs of Nursing Home Neglect

Nursing home neglect happens when a care facility does not provide a resident with adequate care. Residents deserve respect and dignity, and they should be able to live in clean, hygienic spaces.

The staff should strive to keep residents as comfortable, pain-free, and safe as possible. Any equipment, furniture, and other items should be in reasonable condition and unable to cause harm.

For instance, nursing homes should have bedrails for residents who might roll out of bed while sleeping. They should also have devices for residents to call for help if they fall or are in pain. It is the staff members’ duty to watch over residents and ensure they do not wander off without supervision.

Because many residents are unable to speak up for themselves or are afraid of retribution from the staff, it is often up to the family to notice signs of neglect, such as the following:

• Bedsores, which could indicate that the resident has had to stay in the same position for too long
• Poor hygiene, such as soiled sheets or unwashed clothing
• Unexplained weight gain or loss
• Dehydration
• Infections
• Loneliness or depression due to a lack of social interaction
• Hazardous living conditions

A seasoned Missouri City attorney could investigate a potential nursing home abuse case and identify any signs of neglect or mistreatment.

Different Types of Intentional Abuse in Nursing Homes

Abuse can come in many forms and may be carried out by staff members, other residents, or visitors. It can be physical, emotional, sexual, or financial. Some patients have dementia or physical ailments, and they may be unable to defend or protect themselves. Because of this, it is important to understand the various types of abuse and how to spot them.

Physical Abuse

Physical abuse could be any act that causes physical harm to a resident, such as hitting, punching, pinching, kicking, and over-medicating. Similarly, it can involve depriving someone of food, water, or medicine.

Emotional Abuse

Nursing home residents can suffer from psychological abuse when a staff member humiliates or demeans them. Emotional mistreatment also occurs when a worker isolates or threatens to isolate a resident from others or withholds visitors.

Sexual Abuse

Sexual mistreatment includes any actions that involve unwanted touching, groping, or penetration. These are more likely to occur with nursing home residents who lack the capacity to consent, such as those with a physical or mental ailment.

Financial Abuse

Caregivers can abuse patients by exploiting them financially through forged checks, stealing their possessions, manipulating them into giving gifts or changing their wills.

Regardless of what form nursing home abuse takes, a knowledgeable lawyer in Missouri City could help their client seek justice and accountability.

Contact a Missouri City Nursing Home Abuse Attorney Today

Because many nursing home residents are physically or mentally unable to care for themselves, they need to live in a place that will provide them with the medical and assistive support they need.

If you suspect your loved one has experienced abuse in a care facility, you should consult with a Missouri City nursing home abuse lawyer immediately. Contact our legal team today to discuss actions you could take to protect your loved one.