Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer

At Trustwell Law, our experienced attorneys take a personalized, compassionate approach. We cut through the legalese and partner with our clients. We have access to the expertise, resources, and manpower to fully investigate each case and fight for and with our clients to get the justice they deserve.

Types and Signs of Nursing Home Abuse

There are many injuries that can occur in a nursing home, and they may be accidental. But injuries may also be due to neglect or abuse.

If you or your loved one has sustained an injury that requires treatment and/or hospitalization and you suspect that neglect or abuse are responsible, there are signs you can look for, including:

• Asphyxiation
• Bedsores that have reached stages where underlying tissue or bone are affected
• Dehydration or malnutrition
• Head injuries
• Broken bone or bones
• Injuries that happen to a bedbound patient
• Severe infections
• Several injuries at once that are at different stages of healing

How Common is Nursing Home Abuse?

Elder abuse is extremely common, especially in nursing homes. In general, as people age, they are more likely to experience abuse, and adults in nursing homes are even more likely than other older adults to be abused or neglected.

Studies estimate that:

• About 5 million elders are abused each year.
• Approximately 1 in 10 Americans aged 60 or older have experienced some form of elder abuse.

In one national survey of nursing home staff members:

• 36% of the respondents reported witnessing at least one instance of physical abuse of an elderly patient in the previous year.
• 10% reported committing at least one act of physical abuse toward an elderly patient.

What Factors Contribute to Nursing Home Abuse?

Many factors contribute to nursing home abuse and neglect:

1. Nursing homes may not have enough staff members to adequately care for their patients.

• • Lack of personnel can lead to neglect and errors.
  • Too few staff members can allow an abuser to go unnoticed.
    • One study estimated that 90% of nursing homes in the U.S. do not have enough staff to provide adequate care.
    • In some cases, a single nurse’s aide was expected to cover 30 people!
    • A typical ratio is 1 to 15.
      • The recommended ratio is 1 to 3 during a meal, and 1 to 6 at other times.

2. Staff members may be poorly trained, which can contribute to neglect and abuse.
3. Nursing home residents may suffer from cognitive issues such as dementia, or physical issues, which make them more vulnerable to abuse.

• • It is estimated that 50% of people with dementia have experienced some form of neglect or abuse.

4. Overmedication and improper administration of medication increase the likelihood of elder abuse.

Click here to read about specific circumstances that factor into determining whether a nursing home is negligent when a patient is harmed.

Contact a Nursing Home Abuse Attorney

If you or your loved one sustained an injury or illness that requires treatment and/or hospitalization while living in a nursing home and you suspect or are certain the injury is due to neglect or abuse, contact us. We are here to help and advise you.