NURSING HOME ATTORNEY
When you suspect that your loved one is not getting the care they deserve, it’s time to investigate. Of course, you are trying to visit as much as possible, but you likely have other responsibilities that prevent you from going as often as you’d like to. How can you be sure they are being well-cared for when you’re not around? If you suspect that something is amiss, your intuition might be correct. A nursing home has a duty to provide proper care and when they fail to do so, they are liable for the harm they cause. An experienced Queens Nursing Home Neglect Attorney will be able to conduct an investigation and evaluate the standard of care at a nursing facility.
Here are some indicators of Nursing Home Neglect and Abuse to look out for:
- Overmedication – Does your family member seem groggy or incoherent?
- Failure to Administer Medications – Is their health not what it should be?
- Withdrawn Behavior
- Loss of Weight
- Bruises (from possible falls)
- Bedsores
- Staff is not Friendly
- Insufficient Lighting
- Unsanitary Living Conditions – Is their living space as clean as it should be?
What causes Nursing Home Neglect:
- Lack of proper employee background checks
- Understaffed facilities
- Underqualified staff
- Poorly trained staff
- Poor Maintenance
If you suspect that your loved one is a victim of neglect at a nursing home, Queens Nursing Home Neglect Attorney will investigate the facts and circumstances to determine whether or not they have been abused or neglected at the facility. It is a good idea to visit people regularly at nursing homes, letting the staff know that you are overseeing care. Unfortunately, due to other responsibilities, it isn’t always possible to visit as often as one might like to. That isn’t a license for neglect or abuse on the part of the nursing home.
Please call Nursing Home Attorney, Wittenstein & Wittenstein for a free consultation if you suspect Nursing Home Neglect or Abuse at 718-261-8114
What do Nursing Home Lawyers Do?
Nursing home abuse law fights the unlawful treatment of senior citizens by facility administrators and staff. Methods of fighting abuse include civil and criminal prosecution to hold wrongdoers accountable. Lawyers have been able to successfully force nursing homes to step up their operating procedures with the threat of loss of government funding, having their licenses revoked or suspended, and the imposition of large awards for damages.
The strongest way to fight nursing home abuse continues to be the personal injury lawsuit. Nursing homes are businesses that are in existence to make a profit, lawsuits that publicize the poor conditions at their facility are not good business, and insurance rates skyrocket after a large verdict comes down. Of course, the compensation to the victim is very important, too.
First Steps
Before starting a lawsuit, it’s always worth it to see if there is a simpler and faster solution to the problem. When you suspect nursing home abuse or neglect, it’s a good idea to talk to other residents to see if they have had the same experience. It might even be worthwhile to speak to nurses on the floor to see if they can shed any light on the problem, and if they would be willing to go out of their way to help you. If you hit a brick wall, the next thing to do is to report the problem to the Department of Health, adult protective services and/or to a local politician. If the problem is urgent, call the police! The next step is to call a nursing home attorney.
Why HIre Nursing Home Lawyer?
In order to be fully compensated, it is best to hire a nursing home lawyer who knows how to handle insurance companies, and when to start a lawsuit if necessary. There are many elements of negligence to prove, and often coverups by the nursing homes that need to be revealed. This is not the type of case you should handle on your own.