Nursing Home Lawyer | Nursing Home Lawsuit | Litigation
Nearly 2 million elderly adults live in nursing homes throughout the U.S. A rapidly aging population means thousands more will move to adult care facilities in coming years, and it is predicted that the number of elder abuse cases will also be on the upswing.
Nursing Home Abuse is a Hidden Crime
Unfortunately, reckless and negligent behavior by nursing home staff is the primary cause of such abuse. Elder abuse has been called the hidden crime because it is often difficult to recognize, it has been concealed by nursing home staff, or the victims may be too frightened or incapacitated to communicate the abuse. Nursing home abuse and deaths are rarely detected by government inspectors, assessed by medical examiners, or investigated and prosecuted by law enforcement.
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91% of Nursing Homes have Insufficient Staffing
According to the most recent federal study by the Health Care Financing Association, more than 91 percent of the nursing homes in the United States have insufficient nurse aid staffing levels to provide the necessary care to nursing home residents. In addition, more than 40 percent of all nursing homes would have to increase nurse aid staff by 50 percent or more to reach the minimum threshold necessary to meet the residents' needs.
Nursing home negligence typically includes the failure to provide basic necessities such as water, protection from health and safety hazards and general appropriate care. Negligence can result in injuries such as falls, broken hips, bed sores, malnutrition, dehydration, improper wound care and other injuries which may result in severe medical complications and even death.
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Symptoms of Nursing Home Neglect or Abuse
Neglect and abuse can take many forms. The Office of the Inspector General has categorized several types of abuse sustained by the elderly in institutional settings:
▪ Physical abuse infliction of pain or injury, including sexual abuse.
▪ Misuse of restraints chemical or physical control of residents that is not in accordance with accepted medical practice or orders.
▪ Physical neglect disregard for the necessities of daily living such as food, water, bathing and basic care.
▪ Medical neglect lack of care for existing medical problems such as ignoring a necessary medical diet, not calling a physician when necessary, being unaware of potential side effects of medications or not taking action on a medical problem.
There are several ways that you can file suit against an abusive or neglectful nursing home, including fraud, neglect, financial irregularities, failure to provide adequate care, wrongful death, breach of contract, pain and suffering, or failure to comply with nursing home statutes. One of the most effective ways to improve the lives of nursing facility residents is to take legal action when problems are discovered, in order to discourage the continued violation of basic human rights, as well as federal and state laws.
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When someone you care about has been the victim of nursing home abuse, the problems can seem overwhelming. Peterson & Associates, P.C. nursing home litigation attorneys can advise you of your loved one's legal rights, tell you what remedies might be available, and what action to take.
Do not wait until it is too late to seek legal advice. Peterson & Associates attorneys offer a free initial evaluation of your claim, and our attorneys will fight aggressively to ensure that you and your loved ones receive full maximum compensation in accordance with the law.
NURSING HOME LITIGATION AREAS
• Bedsores and Decubitus Ulcers
• Elder Abuse
• Falls / Fractures
• Malnutrition / Dehydration
• Wrongful Death
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