Legally and morally, nursing homes are required to provide for the safety and comfort of their residents. Any nursing home that doesn’t follow through on those requirements needs to answer for their failures and a Las vegas nursing abuse lawyer can help you with your case. Our Las Vegas personal injury attorneys at McDonald Worley specializes in nursing home abuse in the state of Nevada and are familiar with the regulations surrounding these facilities, both at the state and federal level. Using our resources, we can conduct in-depth investigations into any nursing home to determine if the injuries your loved one sustained were caused by negligence or abuse.
Families naturally expect that their loved ones will be well cared for when they are in a nursing home. While that is the case at the majority of nursing homes, problems like neglect and abuse do sometimes occur. Understandably, nursing homes don’t always have the resources available to address every issue that arises with their patients. Despite that, there is never a valid reason for them to neglect or abuse the individuals in their care. Contact us today at (704) 766-8729 and schedule a free case review..
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What Are Some Of The Most Common Signs That Nursing Home Abuse Is Occurring?
Patients often suffer for a long time before nursing home abuse is discovered. Sometimes, they are too ashamed to talk about the problem. Other times, they have dementia or other issues that keep them from alerting anyone to the abuse. That is why it is so important to watch for common signs of abuse or neglect, which can include the following:
- Bedsores anywhere on the body including the legs, buttocks, and back
- Signs of dehydration or malnutrition
- Bruises, cuts, or other injuries that can’t be explained
- Poor dental or physical hygiene
- Urine or feces on the patient’s clothing or in their bed
- Sudden changes in behavior, which could be a sign of mental or emotional abuse
- An unwillingness to talk freely
- Cracks in the lips, drooling, or excessive drowsiness, all of which can indicate that too much medication is being administered.
- Missing possessions
- Sudden changes in activity with the patient’s bank account
This is one situation where you should listen to your instincts. If you feel like something is wrong, it probably is. Don’t be afraid to ask about any problems at the nursing home. If your concerns aren’t addressed, reach out to the attorneys here at McDonald Worley. We take nursing home abuse and neglect seriously and will do everything we can to ensure that Nevada nursing home providers are held responsible anytime they mistreat their patients.
How Is Liability Determined In Cases Involving Nursing Home Abuse?
A lot of different scenarios affect how liability is determined in nursing home abuse cases. Some of the primary reasons for taking legal action include violations of criminal statutes, false imprisonment, abuse, and negligence.
Most of the employees working at the nursing home also have to meet certain requirements in terms of licensing and certification. In addition to other penalties related to the abuse and neglect, employees may also be held liable for failing to meet these requirements.
Patients who have experienced neglect or abuse usually can pursue these types of cases:
- Civil suits to recover money for any damages
- Criminal proceedings
- Intervention by a protective services provider to stop the abuse from occurring right away
What Details Are Involved in Nursing Home Abuse Cases?
Facilities can be found liable for nursing home abuse in the following situations:
- Negligence when hiring staff members or supervising their actions
- Negligence when providing personal care for patients
- Negligence when maintaining the facility or the area around it
- Negligence when choosing or caring for the equipment
Proving liability requires the injured party to successfully show that all of the following factors are true:
- The nursing home had an obligation to the resident who was injured.
- The owner of the nursing home or the staff members failed to meet that obligation.
- This breach of duty led to the injuries that the resident sustained.
- The injuries were caused by the conduct or actions of the owner of the nursing home or the employees.
Liability for breach of contract can also apply to nursing homes or other facilities that provide long-term care. In most cases, residents sign a contract when they enter a nursing home.
This contract outlines the services that will be provided along with the expenses for the care. If abuse occurs, it may break the terms of the contract. In that case, the resident who was injured may also be able to pursue a claim against the facility for breach of contract.
What Factors Most Frequently Contribute To Elderly Abuse Cases In Nevada?
When elderly patients are subject to neglect or abuse, there may be many different contributing factors. Some of those factors include the following:
- Staff members who are not adequately trained or who are unqualified
- Employees who have a history of violence or who have criminal backgrounds
- Understaffed facilities
- Residents who live in isolation
- Residents who are afraid of speaking up when they are being neglected or abused
Contact a Las Vegas Nursing Abuse Lawyer
At McDonald Worley, our lawyers have plenty of experience handling nursing home abuse cases in Las Vegas. We provide free, private consultations to residents who have been abused or neglected as well as their families. During one of these consultations, the details of the case are carefully evaluated. Based on that evaluation, the lawyers will then advise the patient and their families as to the best course of action to take to protect their legal rights.
Once we are hired, we work hard to put together a strong case. That means gathering evidence, finding experts to testify, and talking to witnesses who can verify that the abuse or neglect occurred. Our goal is to ensure that every client gets the highest settlement or award possible in their case. That way, they will have the resources that they need to move forward in their lives. Contact our personal injury firm in Las Vegas today at (704) 766-8729 and schedule a complimentary case review.