Many nursing homes treat senior residents with respect and care. Sadly, some nursing homes don’t provide the proper care to elderly residents. Their failure to meet the needs of the residents is neglect or abuse. Nursing home abuse is an all-too-common issue in the United States, with 15.3% of all elder abuse complaints in nursing homes being neglect.

Nursing home abuse or neglect is always unacceptable. If your senior loved one has been a victim, you can talk to a trusted staff member at the nursing to have your concerns resolved. You may also be eligible to file a lawsuit for legal compensation with the help of Bronx personal injury attorneys.

What Causes Nursing Home Neglect or Abuse?

When you send a senior loved one to a nursing home facility, you trust the staff members will care for your loved one as their own. Unfortunately, this may not always happen to your expectations. Some of the reasons that lead to nursing home abuse or neglect include the following:

Inadequate Staffing

Inadequate staffing means there are not enough people to care for all the residents to the desired level of care. The shortage reduces the facility’s overall quality, with impossible workloads leading to employee burnout. Consequently, they cannot discharge their duties and are more likely to make mistakes that constitute elder abuse or neglect.

Poor Staff Training

Most nursing homes make efforts to conduct background checks on new hires. However, inadequate in-facility training often leads to neglect or abuse in nursing homes. Insufficient staff training can lead to medication errors, causing severe harm to residents.

Negligence in Hiring Practices

If nursing homes don’t do proper background checks, they may hire people not qualified to care for others. For example, staff members who struggle with alcohol and drug use or have been abuse victims are statistically more likely to abuse others. Negligence in hiring may also cause a facility to hire former criminals not yet reformed to provide care to seniors.

Unfortunately, negligent hiring practices extend beyond individual facilities. They’re not uncommon in major nursing home chains. Bronx nursing home abuse attorneys can investigate the circumstances that led to nursing home abuse or neglect and guide you on the steps to take.

What Should I Do If My Loved One is Neglected or Abused in a Nursing Home?

If you ever suspect nursing home abuse or neglect, you need to take action immediately to protect your loved one. Here’s what to do:

Look Out for the Signs

Many seniors suffering from nursing home neglect or abuse may find it hard to speak against the harm. Some try to overcome the problems independently, leaving the abuse unnoticed and unreported. While the signs of nursing home abuse can be challenging to spot, they can significantly impact the next steps you take. Potential signs of abuse and neglect include:

  • Bedsores
  • Bruising
  • Behavioral changes
  • Appetite changes
  • Dehydration
  • Malnutrition
  • Head injuries
  • Broken bones and fractures
  • Rapid weight loss or gain
  • Social isolation
  • Withdrawn looks

Bedsores are the most common signs of nursing home neglect, but they’re not the only factor to consider.

Document What Happened

If you have enough reason to believe your loved one has been a victim of abuse or neglect, you should gather information to support your suspicions. Write down your observations, the location of abuse or neglect, and the date and time of the incident. You may also take photos of the injuries or conditions causing your concern.

Question the Nursing Home Staff

It’s advisable to hear the other side of the story before taking further action. If the staff can’t or won’t explain the situation, you can start looking into seeking legal intervention. Personal injury lawyers in the Bronx can help you pursue a legal claim.

Report Emergencies

If you suspect the neglect you’ve witnessed is an emergency, contact 911 immediately to help your loved one get the immediate care they need. Your loved one’s health comes first, and getting the authorities involved can help with a full investigation. You won’t be liable if you make your report in good faith, even if investigations establish the facility did no harm.

Talk to Your Loved One

Consider talking to your loved one privately, if possible, to hear their side of the story. If the facility prevents you from talking to them, get the help of nursing home abuse attorneys in the Bronx for legal intervention. Remember that if your loved one is a victim of neglect, they may hesitate to talk about it for several reasons, like fear of further abuse.

Can I Remove My Loved One from a NY Nursing Home If I Suspect Abuse?

If the nursing home substantiates your claims but fails to take action to address the issue, you should consider removing your loved one from their care immediately. Transfer them to a facility that can provide the care they deserve. Getting your loved one in a safe place before reporting the incident or filing a claim is prudent.

When Should I Contact an Attorney about Nursing Home Abuse?

A nursing home staff member who fails to care for a resident should take liability for their negligence. You need to speak to experienced Bronx nursing home abuse attorneys when you’re suspicious or establish that your loved one is a victim of nursing home abuse or neglect.

If the attorneys substantiate your claims, they can help you pursue proper compensation for your loved one. The facility can decide to settle your case, and our lawyers can fight for you to get a fair settlement.

A Compassionate Attorney Zealously Defending Your Loved One’s Rights

Nursing home abuse or neglect is a serious matter that can have severe consequences. It’s critical to report all cases to ensure the victims are protected, and that the nursing homes improve their standard of care. Consider engaging skilled nursing home abuse lawyers in the Bronx to investigate the case and evaluate your options.

Our law firm has a team of experienced attorneys to help you file a lawsuit or get justice for a loved one subjected to nursing home abuse or neglect. With a top nursing mistreatment attorney on your side, you can rest easy knowing you’ll get a favorable case outcome. Engage us today to learn about your options.