How to Tell if the Nursing Home Is Neglecting Your Parent
If you are one of the many Pennsylvanians who has had to make the difficult decision to place your parent in a nursing home, it undoubtedly was one of the hardest choices you ever had to make. Given the horror stories about nursing home abuse and neglect that keep appearing in the news, it is no wonder that you worry. Despite federal and state laws protecting nursing home residents, millions of older people receive substandard care. While you cannot be there at all times to watch over your parent and make sure (s)he is getting needed and deserved care, here are some things to watch out for when you visit:
Personal care red flags
Falls are one of the most prevalent problems in nursing homes. Nearly 1,800 nursing home residents die each year from injuries suffered in a fall. Non-fatal fall injuries often result in the following:
- Broken bones
- Head trauma
- Back and neck injuries
- Bruising
- Fear and anxiety about falling
If your parent exhibits any of the above and/or tells you that (s)he recently tripped or slipped, this is a serious red flag that (s)he did not receive the necessary assistance when it was required. This happens frequently in nursing homes. When residents need to go to the bathroom, dining room, etc., but no one answers their call light or buzzer, they decide to get there by themselves. They may, however, be too weak or unsteady on their feet to safely get out of bed and walk that far alone, which may result in a fall.
Other signs that your parent is neglected include the following:
- Poor personal hygiene
- Mouth or body odor
- Uncombed hair
- Overgrown fingernails or toenails
- Inappropriate or inadequate clothing
Facility Red Flags
Many nursing homes are inadequately staffed and/or their employees may not have received the proper training to appropriately care for elderly patients. Whenever you visit your parent, look for telltale signs of facility-wide staffing issues such as the following:
- Rushed, “frantic” or overworked caregivers
- Constantly ringing phones and/or call lights that stay on too long
- Frequent turnover of personnel
- Refusal to answer your questions and address your concerns fully and adequately
- Complaints by your parent that (s)he does not like certain caregivers and does not want them to care for him or her
Sadly, you must remain ever-vigilant for signs of nursing home abuse and neglect each time you visit your parent. Do not be afraid to be proactive when it comes to his or her health and welfare. You are entitled to have your questions answered and your concerns addressed. You also are your parent’s advocate. Do not chalk up complaints to mere crankiness.
Contact Luxenberg Garbett Kelly & George Immediately
At Luxenberg Garbett Kelly & George, our National Board of Trial Advocacy Board-Certified Civil Trial Specialists have recovered compensation in cases of extreme, egregious, and almost unbelievable mistreatment.
In one case we handled, a 78-year-old woman who had wandered off the premises on previous occasions slipped away again and was raped by a visitor who had been escorted off the grounds just days earlier. We obtained a six-figure settlement for the utter negligence in failing to protect the woman from herself and others. Our investigation also revealed multiple violations of federal rules governing nursing home care.
Not all nursing home negligence is so egregious, but we have helped clients who have suffered serious harm relating to:
- Falls and other accidents caused by lack of assistance
- Falls from beds due to lack of rails or restraints
- Bedsores from neglect or bad mattresses
- Injuries during transfers
- Excessive restraints or oversedation
- Emotional abuse or punishment
- Physical abuse or unexplained injury
- Unexpected or wrongful death
- Malnutrition and/or dehydration
- Medication errors
- Failure to diagnose and treat illnesses
- Inadequate security and supervision
- Sexual assault by staff, visitors, or residents
We obtain patient records and have cases examined by a forensic nurse who can advise what standards of care were broken. Our investigation includes obtaining interviews and depositions from the victim, other residents, and staff members, as well as the criminal and employment history of implicated staffers and an analysis of similar abuse or neglect claims against the facility or administrators.
Reach out by calling (724) 576-8855 or complete our online form to request a consultation with one of our skilled attorneys.
Common Nursing Home Injuries
Since the elderly are particularly susceptible to injury and illness due to their advanced age and existing medical issues, any additional injury that results from negligence can be life-threatening. If your loved one has shown signs of injuries that occurred while in a nursing home, our New Castle nursing home abuse and neglect attorneys can help hold the facility, staff, and any other negligent parties responsible.
Nursing homes will often attempt to explain away injuries—people fall, things happen. However, these cases must be thoroughly investigated to ensure the future safety of your loved one and all the residents at that facility.
At LGKG, we confidently handle situations involving all types of nursing home injuries, such as:
- Cuts, abrasions, and bruises, which often indicate excessive restraint or even assault
- Broken bones/fractures due to falls and other accidents
- Physical illness due to medication errors, malnutrition, dehydration, and general neglect
- Infections due to the lack of attention to cuts or skin ulcerations
- Head, neck, and back injuries resulting from falls and other accidents
- Sexual assault injuries, whether from rape or another intentional injurious act
- Bedsores or decubitus ulcers, often resulting from the failure to properly position and move bedridden patients or unsatisfactory mattresses
- Emotional harm related to intimidation, verbal abuse, or other aggressive behaviors from staff or other poorly controlled patients
Whether the injuries, illness, or death resulted from carelessness, negligence, abuse, or an intentional act, you deserve to know that your loved one is protected and that the negligent party can no longer hurt the victim or anyone else. We are not afraid to take these cases to trial, and our opponents know it. Our firm is staffed with several highly skilled trial lawyers who will go to great lengths to see that justice is served.
Signs of Nursing Home Abuse & Neglect
Many victims of various types of nursing home abuse and negligence do not report what they experienced because they are afraid, ashamed, or unable to do so. Family members may notice certain signs that could indicate potential issues, such as neglect.
Some common indicators of nursing home negligence and abuse include:
- Your loved one has lost weight or is suffering from issues related to dehydration
- There is evidence of unsanitary conditions in the facilities or the patient’s room
- Your loved one has unexplained injuries, such as bruises, cuts, or suspicious marks
- Your family member is withdrawn or showing other signs of depression
- Your loved one has fallen or been involved in a preventable accident
- There are signs that your family member has not received proper medical care
- Your family member has complained of abuse or neglect by staff or fellow residents
- The nursing home doesn’t allow visitors or does not permit you to be alone with a resident
- There are unexplained withdrawals from your loved one’s bank accounts
- Changes have been made to your loved one’s will, power of attorney, or similar documents
Our attorneys have successfully handled nursing home abuse and neglect cases, and we will take immediate action to thoroughly investigate your loved one’s situation and identify an appropriate course of legal action. Neglect and mistreatment in nursing homes are unacceptable, and we can help you fight back.
Helping Your Family Move Forward
Learning that your elderly loved one suffered because of neglect or abuse at the hands of trusted caregivers can be shocking, disheartening, and overwhelming. Luxenberg Garbett Kelly & George can help your family during this difficult time, pursuing damages and compensation for physical injuries, additional medical care, and emotional duress. Our team truly cares about each and every client, and we prove it through our fierce dedication to helping our clients recover the full, fair compensation they are owed. As your legal team, we will take the time to get to know you, listen to your story, and share how we can help you and your family fight for justice.
Based in New Castle, LGKG serves clients throughout Western Pennsylvania, including in Beaver Falls, Butler, Ellwood City, Cranberry Township, and all of the surrounding areas. We offer our legal services on a contingency fee basis, meaning you don’t owe any attorney fees or pay any costs associated with litigating your case unless we recover a settlement or verdict on your behalf.
Contact us online or call (724) 576-8855 to schedule a complimentary consultation and case evaluation with a member of our team today.
