Common Signs Of Nursing Home Negligence, Malpractice Or Abuse

Elderly people in nursing care facilities suffer from abuse and neglect all too often all across the country and even in the state of Tennessee. It is an unfortunate fact that the number of nursing home negligence cases is increasing. Partly, this is due to a larger nursing home population as Americans are living longer. Partly, this neglect and abuse is due to large, private companies purchasing Nashville nursing homes and not providing adequate staff, training, or resources. Though finding any single cause for the nationwide rise in abuse is simplistic, any form of harm or negligence in nursing care facilities whether it is in Nashville, Tennessee or anywhere else should not be tolerated.

In the United States, there are an estimated 2 million men and women living in long term care facilities. Most of these people are elderly and require daily care from nurses, doctors, and other professionals. To ensure the residents receive proper care, Congress has enacted a broad range of regulations that must strictly be adhered to. These include, but are certainly not limited to:

In addition to this very basic right, the regulations also discuss abuse and neglect in a nursing home. When these regulations are not met, and an elders’ right has been violated, a nursing home lawyer Nashville, TN trusts should be consulted.

Abuse – Abuse is considered to be any intentional infliction of harm or injury, unreasonable confinement, intimidation – either verbal or mental, deprivation, punishment, or any other purposeful action that causes physical harm or emotional/mental anguish.

Neglect – Neglect is similar to abuse, but not exactly the same. When a nursing facility, including the staff, fails to provide the elder with the necessary care and services that prevent pain or harm, it may be neglect. Furthermore, if a facility fails to address and resolve a situation that could be considered dangerous, and it results in harm, a nursing home lawyer in Nashville, TN may consider it neglect.

Bare in mind that abuse and neglect is not only physical, but can also include mental, emotional, or financial harm. The later types are usually difficult to identify because the signs are not always obvious.

Abuse or neglect that happens in nursing care facilities or homes needs to be noted and handled right away. Some of the main symptoms of abuse and neglect to watch out for in a Tennessee home may be:

Visible Abuse in Nursing Homes

• Unexplained falls
• Sepsis
• Broken bones
• Bedsores
• Dehydration
• if a loved one seems to weigh much less than normal or has little or no appetite
• Wounds, cuts or bruises
• Other possible physical abuse

Emotional Nursing Home Abuse

• Any sudden behavioral change
• Any unusual behavior
• Self-abuse
• Agitation
• If a loved one appears to prefer being alone more than usual or does not talk
• Not wanting to talk in the presence of nursing home employees

Nursing Home Neglect

• The skin being different colors such as redder or darker than usual(pressure sores)
• Having clothes that are soiled or not cleaned regularly
• Not getting the needed medicine or being prescribed too much
• Incorrect body position
• Having no help with nutritional and hydration needs
• Unsanitary and unclean conditions
• A patient’s room or personal belongs being filthy or messy
• If a patient is sick more than usual and the family members are not notified
• significant and rapid changes in a patient’s weight; other signs of malnutrition
• Unnecessary usage of equipment used to hold a patient down in their bed or wheelchair.
• Infections

If any of potential symptoms of nursing home abuse or neglect exist,It is important to make sure your concerns are addressed in with the administration of the nursing care facility or home and that you make sure the home keeps a file on these claims . It may also be a good idea to also report any concerns to the Tennessee Department of Health. If you notice these symptoms of abuse or negligence or if you the person you care about talks about the abuse then you need to seek the guidance of one of The Higgins Firm’s qualified Tennessee personal injury lawyers. We put our clients first in everything that we do. We will work with you to get the information needed for your case such as insurance paperwork, any paperwork regarding medical treatments and care as well as anything else that may be needed to help you make the best case for your claim. We stand steadfast by our clients and will fight for your claim. Let our experience, resources and knowledge work for you.

Contact us online or call us at 800.705.2121 address any questions you may have and to discuss your legal options.