What are the warning signs of nursing home abuse and neglect?
You know when something is wrong
How do you know if nursing home abuse and neglect is taking place? There are often many warning signs which indicate that your loved one is being neglected or abused. When this happens, it’s important that you take these warning signs seriously. First, make sure your family member gets immediate medical care. Then contact our law firm. We can help.
Our experienced Georgia nursing home abuse lawyers at Kurle Justus, LLC know how to identify the warning signs of abuse and neglect. That’s because our attorneys have years of experience handling complex cases. One of our lawyers even worked in the healthcare field for 10 years before becoming an attorney.
As a result, we know what evidence to look for. We know what questions to ask. When you have our legal team on your side, your loved one will not have to suffer in silence. We can be your voice for justice. We can demand the compensation your family deserves for medical bills and other nursing home abuse or neglect-related expenses.
Common warning signs of nursing home abuse and neglect
Knowing what to look for if you suspect nursing home abuse or neglect can be challenging. There are often many telltale signs that something could be wrong with your loved one, however. That’s why it’s important to know what to look for. Some of the most common warning signs that your loved one may be the victim of abuse or neglect in a nursing home include:
- Unexplained injuries
- Sudden weight loss
- Unexplained bruises
- Sudden mood changes
- Unexplained infections
- Change in finances
- Restricted visits
- Poor hygiene
If something doesn’t seem right, trust your instincts. Make sure your loved gets the medical care they need. Then, talk to an attorney at our law firm. We can evaluate your potential legal case for free and explain all the legal options available to you.
Know your rights. Contact our Decatur nursing home abuse lawyers.
The sooner you act after identifying the warning signs of nursing home abuse or neglect, the better. Not only will your loved one get the medical care they need, we can investigate what happened to them while the evidence is still new, and memories are still fresh.
The longer you wait to take legal action, the more challenging your case often becomes. There’s even a deadline for taking legal action in Georgia when it comes to nursing home abuse or neglect. That deadline (known as the statute of limitations) expires two years after your loved one’s abuse or neglect. That’s why we want to help you now.
Schedule an appointment with a Georgia nursing home abuse attorney who puts your family’s needs first. Contact our law firm and schedule your free case evaluation with us. We can meet with you in our Decatur office, in your home, in a hospital room, virtually via video chat or wherever works best for you.
One of the telltale signs of nursing home abuse is unexplained injuries. If your loved one suddenly has a broken arm, fractured hip, or another serious injury, it could be because a nursing home employee abused them or was not watching them. A resident may also develop a bedsore, which is a sign that they have been left in one position for too long. It’s our job to investigate what happened and help you hold the nursing home accountable for its actions.
If your loved one suddenly starts losing weight, it may be because the nursing home is not feeding them enough or due to another problem at the nursing home. Their sudden weight loss could be due to diarrhea, an infection, or other serious medical issues. Whatever the circumstances of your loved one’s unexplained weight loss, we can investigate and help you determine if your loved one is a victim of neglect or abuse.
Bruises on the arms, body and face are often caused by abusive nursing home employees. These unexplained bruises may also be caused by a violent, fellow nursing home resident. In either case, nursing homes should be held responsible for its actions. That’s because nursing homes need to carefully choose who they hire to work at their facility. Nursing homes also need to properly screen residents to make sure they don’t allow someone dangerous or violent to live there. When this happens, it’s our job to help you hold the nursing home accountable for its actions.
You might notice unexplained mood changes in your loved one. They might seem more withdrawn. Or they might cry more often, seem depressed or talk much less than normal. They may be experiencing fatigue and insomnia. All these sudden mood changes could be warning signs of nursing home abuse or neglect. It is important that you talk to your family member about what’s happening and talk to us to learn more about your legal rights.
If your loved one suddenly has an infection, it may be due to unsanitary conditions in the nursing home, which is often a result of neglect and understaffing. Nursing homes need to be cleaned regularly, including bedding and making sure residents are wearing clean clothes. Residents also need to be bathed regularly. Otherwise, they can develop serious and harmful infections that can lead to rapidly declining health. A urinary tract infection (UTI) can also be a sign of dehydration. We can help you be a voice for justice for your family.
Unexplained bills, missing checks, double billing, or billing for services not performed are just some of the different ways that nursing homes often exploit vulnerable residents who might not be as aware of their finances and their financial situation. That’s why it’s important to act fast if you notice any unusual financial transactions or sudden changes in your loved one’s financial situation. Contact the police, then contact us. We can help you stand up for your rights.
If your family member is being abused or neglect, one way the nursing home might try to keep you from knowing about it is by preventing you from visiting the nursing home. Suddenly, visiting hours at the facility might be reduced or cancelled altogether. If the nursing home is refusing to let you visit your family member, contact our law firm. We can review the details of your case with you and explain your legal options.
It is the responsibility of nursing homes to help keep your loved one clean. Look for warning signs that the facility is not meeting this responsibility. These signs may include dirty hair, overgrown nails, body odor, or the smell of urine or feces. Clothing may be unwashed and visibly soiled. Our law firm fights for the rights of your loved one and holds negligent facilities accountable.