Nursing home residents have a right to be treated with dignity and respect. Family members frequently put a lot of thought and time into choosing a nursing home they consider safe. When nursing home abuse or neglect causes a resident to become injured, it can be highly upsetting for everyone involved.
Has your loved one become sick, injured, or died from nursing home abuse or neglect? You may have a right to obtain compensation through a personal injury lawsuit. The attorneys at Rochelle McCullough have an in-depth knowledge of the laws governing nursing home abuse cases in Texas. We understand how the system works and have a proven track record of holding negligent nursing homes accountable for the injuries they cause. Contact Rochelle McCullough to schedule an initial consultation and learn more about your legal options.
Types of Nursing Home Neglect and Abuse Cases We Handle
Nursing home lawsuits cover a wide range. Some of the most serious types of nursing home abuse cases include the following:
- Physical abuse of nursing home residents
- Sexual abuse of nursing home residents
- Psychological abuse
- Emotional abuse
- Unsanitary conditions
- Failure to ensure residents get adequate hydration and nutrition
- Physically isolating nursing home residents
- Injuries caused by understaffing
- Preventing family or friends from visiting loved ones
- Poor medical care
- Lack of staff training
- Lack of oversight
- Physically abusive workers
Signs of Nursing Home Neglect
Many nursing home cases begin when a relative visits a resident and notices something strange in the physical environment or their loved one’s behavior. There may be physical evidence of abuse, such as unexplained bruising. In other cases, the resident’s behavior could be different. Your loved one may be more emotional than usual or extremely withdrawn. Sadly, many residents cannot report the abuse or are afraid to do so for fear of retaliation from the abuser.
If you see anything suspicious when visiting your loved one, you should trust your instincts and seek help. Over the years, our Dallas nursing home negligence law firm has handled many legal claims involving nursing home abuse and neglect. Residents may become injured when they fall while trying to get out of bed or when staff members aren’t properly supervising them. The improper use of restraints, lack of response to a resident’s call for help, and choking injuries and deaths are all examples of nursing home neglect. Some of the signs of nursing home neglect include the following:
- Unexplained weight loss or gain
- Dehydration
- Bedsores, also called ubiquitous ulcers
- Unsanitary conditions, such as soiled sheets or unbathed residents
- Public desertion
- Broken bones, bruises, and scratches
Examples of Nursing Home Neglect
Nursing home neglect is the most common type of abuse. Many nursing homes are understaffed and do not have enough personnel to safely respond to their residents’ medical, physical, and emotional needs. Neglect often involves failure to provide residents with adequate food or water. Many residents are unable to eat or drink adequately on their own. They may need a staff member to help them eat and meet their physical needs.
Other examples include a failure to ensure proper hygiene. Many residents cannot adequately clean and bathe themselves and rely on staff members. When staff members do not spend enough time caring for the physical needs of residents, residents can become sick and injured.
Holding Nursing Homes Accountable for Negligence and Abuse
Nursing homes may claim to provide care, comfort, and compassion in brochures and when providing tours. At the end of the day, nursing homes are usually for-profit companies. They may put their business interests ahead of protecting their residents, even when denying abuse and neglect and rejecting responsibility for a resident’s wrongful death.
The Texas Department of Health and Human Services has established regulations and standards for Texas nursing homes. Specifically, nursing homes are legally required to provide residents with services that enable the “highest possible mental, physical, and psychosocial wellbeing” for their residents.” The Nursing Home Reform Act also establishes a bill of rights for nursing home residents. Laws involving Social Security and Medicare also protect nursing home residents.
The nursing home residents at Rochelle McCullough understand how these laws protect nursing home residents who’ve been injured. When you work with us, you can rest assured that we will help you gather, organize, and analyze the evidence you need to fight for your loved one’s rights. We will immediately begin investigating your case, interviewing witnesses, and employing experts to gather evidence proving the nursing home’s liability. With the evidence gathered, we will develop a legal strategy to pursue a fair settlement. We are prepared to take your case to trial when a settlement isn’t possible.
What To Do If You Suspect Nursing Home Neglect or Abuse
If you suspect your loved one may be neglected or abused, the steps you take next can help you hurt your case. You will benefit from taking notes and taking photos or videos of any evidence of abuse or neglect. If you believe your loved one and other residents are in danger of injury, you should contact law enforcement and request an investigation. You can also contact the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services and file a report about the neglect or abuse.
The nursing home abuse attorneys at Rochelle McCullough can advise you of your legal options and whether you have a valid legal claim against the nursing home. Finally, you should contact a Dallas elder abuse attorney. The nursing home abuse attorneys at Rochelle McCullough can advise you of your legal options and whether you have a valid legal claim against the nursing home.
Discuss Your Nursing Home Abuse or Neglect Case with a Dallas Attorney
If you or someone you love has been injured by abuse and neglect in a nursing home, you will benefit from speaking to an attorney. It can be shocking to learn that your loved one has been abused or neglected by the nursing home you trusted. You may have a legal right to hold the nursing home responsible for injuring your loved one while recovering compensation for your damages. Contact the Dallas personal injury attorneys at Rochelle McCullough to schedule an initial consultation.