Union Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer

Placing a family member in a nursing home is one of the more challenging decisions a family can make. Assisted living or nursing facilities are more than just elder care—they provide help for those who are often unable to take care of themselves. Choosing a nursing home is a highly emotional decision, which may come with feelings of guilt and shame. Putting a loved one in a nursing home means placing trust in strangers to care for them.

Families may feel powerless after they find out about abuse or neglect. A Union nursing home abuse lawyer can assist in filing claims against those responsible for harm, helping victims receive compensation. These personal injury claims are about more than getting financial compensation—by bringing abuse into the light, they help remove negligent or abusive providers from the industry, protecting future residents.

What Is Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect?

Older adults are often more physically vulnerable than others. Additionally, if a loved one has issues with cognition or memory, it can be challenging to get an accurate picture of what their daily life involves. Managing them can be challenging for caregivers. However, a nursing home should treat each person with dignity, respect their bodily autonomy, protect their financial freedom, and respect their privacy.

Even in the best-run facilities, some patients will experience unavoidable injuries. However, some injuries serve as red flags that a patient may be the victim of abuse or neglect. When a family notices any of these signs of nursing home abuse, talk to a Union attorney about the next steps.

Bedsores

Bedsores are one of the most commonly recognized signs of nursing home neglect. Also known as pressure ulcers, bedsores are the result of prolonged pressure on specific areas of the body. People who are confined to their beds or wheelchairs or otherwise have limited mobility are at high risk of these injuries. If not treated properly, they can become infected and cause significant pain.

Choking

Choking and aspiration are another risk. Residents with swallowing difficulties are at risk of choking, which can result in respiratory issues and other complications. Caregivers should be taking extra steps to prevent choking.

Falls

Falls are among the most frequent injuries in nursing homes. These falls can result in fractures, head injuries, and other serious complications. Not every fall is preventable, but residents with known fall risks should have a particular protocol to help prevent those injuries.

Medication Errors

Medication mismanagement is another common issue. Giving the wrong medication, missing medications, or giving the wrong doses can have serious consequences, such as adverse reactions or worsening health conditions.

Neglect

Neglect is a subtle form of abuse. It may not be obvious when it first begins. However, any indication that a loved one is not being cleaned regularly is a significant warning sign. Even strong smells of cleaners in a facility could mask that residents are frequently sitting in urine or feces. When necessary care is not provided, it can lead to a deterioration in health and a worsening of existing medical conditions.

Physical Abuse

Surprisingly, physical abuse can be just as subtle. Evidence of physical abuse, such as bruises, fractures, cuts, and emotional distress, may be passed off as secondary to a loved one’s overall condition. Plus, if a loved one has dementia or other cognitive issues, they may seem confused and be unable to report abuse.

Unsupervised Residents

In memory care facilities, wandering and elopement are a considerable risk. Residents with cognitive impairments, such as dementia, may wander unsupervised, putting them at risk of accidents or dangerous situations. Injuries that occur when a patient is out of their intended space are a warning sign of abuse.

Reasons for Nursing Home Negligence

Finding out that trust is misplaced can be difficult. It may not happen until a loved one has serious injuries from nursing home abuse or neglect. While they should inform family immediately of any issues, the reality is that nursing homes are businesses. They may prioritize protecting themselves from lawsuits and safeguarding their reputation over protecting their patients. These efforts can include withholding evidence of harm, not notifying family members immediately after an accident, denying access to family members, or even knowingly moving abusive staff members to different locations. A nursing home neglect lawyer in Union could work to hold a facility accountable for their mistreatment.

Get Help From a Union Nursing Home Abuse Attorney

If you suspect nursing home abuse or neglect, the first step is to contact the New Jersey Department of Health’s 24-hour hotline at 1-800-792-9770. You also need to take steps to ensure your family member is safe, which can include reporting abuse to the facility or relocating them, depending on the circumstances. A Union nursing home abuse lawyer can help you explore your remedies. Call now for guidance through this unimaginable situation.