Everyone who needs around-the-clock care inside a nursing home or assisted living facility deserves compassionate treatment from each staff member or administrator employed by that facility. While it may be hard for many people to imagine, far too many employees of places like this end up causing serious and even life-threatening harm to their residents by neglecting or outright abusing them.
When you or your loved one has their rights violated in an assisted living facility or nursing home, you could take legal action against the responsible party. A compassionate personal injury attorney could help with this process. These types of cases are legally and emotionally complex; with a dedicated Alice nursing home abuse lawyer by your side, you can effectively demand the restitution you deserve.
Identifying Mistreatment Inside a Nursing Home
One thing that makes abuse or neglect in nursing homes particularly dangerous is how difficult it can be for even attentive or diligent family members to recognize something is wrong. While many forms of mistreatment affect nursing home residents, they do not always show obvious signs or symptoms. Additionally, many residents are unwilling or unable to let their family members know about the abuse.
Therefore, being aware of some of the more subtle effects that nursing home abuse can have on residents is critical. Common symptoms include the following:
- Unexplained bruises and cuts, particularly around the patient’s ankles or wrists
- Refusal by staff members to provide thorough information about the patient’s injuries and illnesses
- Signs of unsanitary living conditions, such as dirty bedsheets or uncleaned spills
- Dry or cracked lips, sallow skin, and other signs of dehydration or malnutrition
- Sudden changes in the resident’s mood or personality, especially when around one staff member
- Refusal by staff members to allow the resident to be alone with visitors or to have visitors at all
A hardworking attorney in Alice could review a case of assisted living facility abuse during a confidential meeting and offer guidance of pursuing a legal claim.
What Legal Options Do Family Members Have?
Nursing home residents who are capable of doing so can file suit on their own behalf for injuries they sustained because of abuse, although most of the time this responsibility falls to family members of residents impacted by abuse or neglect. Through a successful civil claim, a concerned family member can potentially recover for numerous economic and non-economic forms of harm their loved one has sustained through their mistreatment, including medical expenses, physical and psychological suffering, and lost enjoyment of life.
When nursing home abuse directly results in a resident’s premature death, surviving family members may have standing to demand compensation for their own ensuing losses through wrongful death litigation. An experienced lawyer in Alice could provide further clarification about possible pathways towards recovery during a private consultation.
An Alice Nursing Home Abuse Attorney Could Help
Mistreatment of nursing home residents should never be tolerated no matter what form it takes. When it leads to your loved one suffering serious physical harm, seeking a civil lawsuit or settlement demand is crucial to protecting their rights and future.
When you face a situation like this, guidance from an Alice nursing home abuse lawyer can be absolutely invaluable. Call today to discuss your options.
