The decision to entrust a family member to the care of a nursing home or assisted living facility is never easy. No one wants to even imagine the possibility that their loved one may be mistreated by the people entrusted with their daily care. Unfortunately, such scenarios are not uncommon.
When you suspect that someone you love is experiencing neglect, abuse, or violation of their rights in any way while residing in an around-the-clock care facility, it may fall upon you to take legal action on their behalf with the help of a capable personal injury attorney. A compassionate Metairie nursing home abuse lawyer could make sure your family member is safe from further harm and then effectively demand compensation for the harm they have already sustained.
How To Spot Nursing Home Mistreatment in Metairie
Part of what makes abuse and neglect in nursing homes so insidious is the fact that it can be difficult for loving and attentive family members of residents to notice anything wrong. Many forms of physical, emotional, financial, and even sexual abuse in these facilities do not produce obvious symptoms. Additionally, affected residents may be unwilling to talk about what they are going through for fear of reprisal from their abusers or the inability to communicate clearly due to cognitive disorders or decline.
However, there are often subtle signs that abuse or neglect may be occurring, which are crucial for the loved ones of nursing home residents to recognize, including:
- Blood in undergarments
- Dramatic weight loss or gain
- Regression to childlike behaviors like rocking or thumb-sucking
- Consistent small injuries like cuts and bruises, especially around the wrists or ankles
- Unchanged clothes or bed linens and other signs of unsanitary living conditions
- Sudden changes in personality or mood, especially if they happen mostly around a particular staff member
A Metairie nursing home abuse attorney could offer further guidance in a confidential setting about whether the unique circumstances may justify legal action.
How Can Family Members of Abused Nursing Home Residents Help?
Sometimes, very minor instances of neglect or abuse can be corrected by speaking directly with nursing home staff members or administrators about the issue. The Louisiana Department of Health (LDH), Health and Standards Section has a hotline for reports of abuse or neglect inside nursing homes operated by licensed healthcare providers. In Metairie, there may be additional reporting options for other types of facilities that a compassionate nursing home mistreatment lawyer could assist in exploring.
When nursing home abuse has already caused physical harm to a resident, oftentimes, the best course of action is to remove them from their dangerous living conditions immediately and then file a civil suit against the responsible parties. Whether the resident chooses to pursue legal action independently or through the support of family members, they can demand compensation for damages such as medical expenses, psychological trauma, and physical pain and suffering.
Contact a Metairie Nursing Home Abuse Attorney
While money alone cannot erase the damage done by abusive or neglectful nursing home employees, it can minimize the financial and personal impact that this misconduct will have on your family, as well as protect your loved one’s future well-being.
A conversation with a Metairie nursing home abuse lawyer could provide answers to important questions and confidence about the next steps your family should take. Call to schedule a consultation today.
