When you put a member of your family in a nursing home, you naturally expect the best. You expect that they will care for your loved one in the same way you would. Usually, nursing homes do just that. However, sometimes, nursing homes fail to comply with the degree of care they are legally obligated to live up to. When this happens, it is important you consult with a respected and experienced attorney, who is compassionate and understanding towards the sensitivity of your situation.
What are the different types of nursing home negligence?
When a family member is living in a nursing home, there are certain standards the home is required to live up to. Since this is not always the case, it is important to know all the ways in which a nursing home may be breaking the law. Here are several ways in which a nursing home may be neglecting your loved one:
- Sexual assault and abuse
- Physical abuse
- Bed sores from lack of regulated movement
- Malnutrition
- Verbal abuse or harassment
- Improper dosing of medication
- Infections
- Dehydration
- Broken bones
How do you prove nursing home negligence?
It is important to document and preserve all evidence of neglect as you are building your case against the nursing home. As soon as you may suspect a nursing home is neglecting or abusing your loved one, it is important that you report it to the proper authorities. You must also speak with the facility management as soon as you realize what may be happening to your family member. There are several abuse enforcement agencies that you can report these incidents to, which include:
- Local law enforcement
- The Department of Health
- The New Jersey Office of The Adult Protective Services Agency
- The New Jersey Office of the Ombudsman for the Institutionalized Elderly
While reporting these incidents is an essential step in building your case, it is equally important to ensure you preserve any evidence you may have against the nursing home, such as pictures or video depicting any signs of neglect.
Contact an Experienced Nursing Home Negligence Attorney
When a loved one is enduring abuse in a place that is supposed to be a safe haven away from home, it can be an extremely distressing situation. People deserve the right to trust the facilities in which they leave their family members, who should always be treated with dignity and respect under every circumstance.
Stathis & Leonardis, LLC is an experienced personal injury law firm in Middlesex County, New Jersey that is committed to helping clients who have been hurt because of the negligence of another party. If you have been involved in a motor vehicle accident or were injured on another person’s property, contact our firm today.
