Nursing Home Abuse
The failure of health care providers to give reasonable care to their patients is medical malpractice. Health care providers include nursing home professionals and staff. If the nurses and other staff of a nursing home abuse or neglect a patient, payment for damages, known as recovery, may be sought by the victim of medical malpractice. Nursing home abuse and neglect is a major problem in America as it can result in death, injuries from falls, malnutrition, dehydration, decubitus ulcers and residents wandering from the nursing home premises and injuring themselves.
Common Signs of Nursing Home Abuse
The following are some possible signs of nursing home abuse.
Physical Signs
- Decubitus Ulcers
- Malnutrition
- Neglect Falls
- Sexual Assault
- Physical Abuse
- Wandering off and dementia related injuries
- Restraint Injuries
Emotional Signs
- Sudden change in behavior
- Emotionally upset or agitated
- Extremely withdrawn or non-communicative
- Unusual behavior (sucking, biting or rocking)
- Confusion or dimentia
Other Signs of Neglect
- Poor personal hygiene
- Withholding medication or over-medication
- Incorrect body position
- Lack of assistance with eating or drinking
- Unsanitary and unclean conditions
- Dirt, soiled bed, fecal or urine odor
Filing a Lawsuit
If a nursing home fails to administer care in a professional and compassionate manner, and you or your loved one has suffered from inadequate care, you may be entitled to compensation.
Many states have medical malpractice laws that provide for a peer review by a panel of doctors or other health care professionals. The law of these states requires that a malpractice claim be submitted to the peer review panel before the claim can be filed in state court. Certain time limitations may prevent you from filing your claim if you delay in pursuing your rights.
If you suspect that you or someone you love has suffered from nursing home abuse including negligence or elder abuse contact an experienced medical malpractice attorney today!
