Signs of Nursing Home Abuse & Neglect

Information from Our Greenville, MS Attorneys

When you entrust a nursing home to provide the necessary treatment for your elder loved one, you expect it to deliver a certain standard of care. Unfortunately, that expectation is not always met, and some facilities give such poor service that it results in abuse or neglect of residents. Such harm places the elder at risk of suffering more or increased health problems, and in some cases, it could result in their death.

Knowing the signs of nursing home abuse and neglect can help you make decisions about where your loved one receives care and whether or not to pursue a claim against a facility that might be causing harm to your elderly relative. At Williams Newman Williams, we understand that it can be heartbreaking to learn that your loved one has been abused or neglected at the hands of the people you trusted with their care. If you suspect your elderly relative has been mistreated at their nursing home, our experienced attorneys can discuss your case with you and review your legal options for pursuing justice.

We’re ready to learn about your situation. Call us today at (601) 949-5080 for a free consultation.

What Are the Warning Signs of Abuse and Neglect?

Sadly, abuse and neglect at nursing homes is often committed against elderly individuals with health conditions, such as dementia, that make it difficult for them to report on their own. Additionally, because this type of mistreatment comes in many forms, it’s not always immediately evident that a resident has been a victim.

Types of maltreatment that occur at nursing homes include, but are not limited to:

• Hitting
• Isolating residents
• Engaging in unwanted sexual intercourse
• Stealing financial information
• Unnecessarily using restraints
• Verbally assaulting or threatening residents
• Not providing medication
• Not giving appropriate treatment for health conditions
• Not giving food or water
• Not bathing residents
• Not repositioning residents who can’t move on their own

The consequences of abuse and neglect often reveal themselves in various ways. Also, because individuals may respond to certain situations differently than others the signs of psychological abuse might differ between residents.

If you suspect your loved one is being abused or neglected at a nursing home, below are a few signs to look for:

• Bedsores
• Broken bones
• Bruises
• Changes in personality
• Dehydration
• Dirty clothing
• Fear of certain staff members
• Lack of desire to partake in activities
• Loss of sleep
• Malnutrition
• Poor hygiene
• Unexplained injuries, or those passed off as arising from an accidental fall
• Unusual depression
• Weight loss

Who Is Susceptible to Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect?

Unfortunately, if the nursing home has inadequate staff, lack of oversight, and/or lax policies and procedures in place, potentially any resident could be at risk of harm.

However, some populations are at a higher risk of mistreatment, including:

• Women
• Residents with mental impairments such as dementia or Alzheimer’s
• Residents with severe health conditions

Who Commits Mistreatment at Nursing Homes?

Abuse and neglect that occurs at nursing homes could be perpetrated by:

• Administrators
• Other residents
• Support and medical staff
• Visiting family members

For Compassionate Legal Representation, Call Our Firm Today

Abuse and neglect that occurs at nursing homes is unacceptable, and it puts the lives of one of our most vulnerable population at risk. At Williams Newman Williams, our Greenville attorneys will fight aggressively to help hold the nursing home responsible for the harm it caused your loved one. When you hire us, we will conduct a thorough investigation of the circumstances to build a solid legal strategy and fight for just compensation.

Let our skilled team guide you through the legal process for initiating civil action against a nursing home that has caused your loved one harm. Call us at (601) 949-5080 or contact us online for a free consultation.