Anyone who receives long-term care from a nursing home or other assisted living facility deserves to be treated with dignity and respect. No elderly or disabled person should fear for their psychological, physical, or emotional safety. When licensed caregivers fail to adequately care for and protect patients, they can cause immense harm to your loved one.
The Arlington nursing home abuse lawyers at Hartley Law Firm dedicate themselves to protecting and fighting for those harmed by long-term care facilities and staff. We aggressively and swiftly act to help prevent your loved one from suffering more harm, and we will help you pursue justice for your loved one’s injuries.
What Is Nursing Home Abuse?
Nursing home abuse occurs when an individual or institution willfully takes steps that threaten or have adverse effects on the health or safety of a resident. This includes:
- Sexual assault and exploitation;
- Physical abuse;
- Verbal abuse;
- Forced isolation;
- Unlawful or improper use of restraints;
- Withholding food, water, medication, or other fundamental needs;
- Exploiting the nursing home resident;
- Stealing from the resident; and
- Failing to attend to a resident’s hygienic or bathroom needs.
Nursing home abuse also encompasses neglect. Our team is adept at identifying all types of nursing home abuse. If you suspect your loved one is being abused or neglected by a caregiver, we can perform a case evaluation to help protect your loved one from further harm and hold bad actors accountable.
What Are Common Signs of Nursing Home Abuse?
Signs of nursing home abuse can vary greatly, some being subtle and others being more noticeable. Because people experience mental and cognitive changes as they age, it can sometimes be challenging to determine what changes are the product of getting older and which are the result of abuse or neglect.
Physical Signs
Physical signs of nursing home abuse can include the following:
- Suspicious bleeding;
- Scratches;
- Bruises;
- Welts;
- Broken bones, including hips;
- Vision changes;
- Bedsores; and
- Unkempt appearance.
The elderly and people with disabilities are at a higher risk of injuries, such as from falls, but if the circumstances of an injury are suspicious to you, talk to a nursing home abuse attorney right away. We can confidentially review the circumstances to determine if there is cause for concern.
Cognitive and Socioemotional Signs
Individuals suffering from abuse or neglect may exhibit the following sudden or gradual changes:
- More forgetful than before;
- Jumpy or easily startled;
- Withdrawn, especially if they used to be outgoing;
- They or the staff frequently deny visit or call requests;
- A shift in their financial situation;
- Sudden changes in mood;
- Sudden changes in appetite;
- Broken or missing belongings; and
- Unexplained personality changes.
You know your loved one better than anyone. If you notice changes in how they act or appear, these may be signs of nursing home abuse. Privately talk to your loved one about your concerns, if possible, and gather more information about what is or may be going on.
What Can I Do If I Suspect My Loved One Is Suffering Nursing Home Abuse?
If you believe your loved one is experiencing nursing home abuse or neglect, you can take steps to address the problem and protect your loved one.
Hartley Law Firm understands how difficult this situation is for you, your family, and your loved one. You undoubtedly want to do everything you can to protect your loved one from further harm. We can speak with you, your family, and your loved one to understand your concerns, answer your questions, and assess the situation to determine if you can bring a nursing home abuse case against the caregiver or institution.
Call the Police
If your loved one is in immediate danger, it is best to contact the police to protect your loved one from further harm.
Talk to Your Loved One
If your loved one is not in immediate danger, you can talk to them about your concerns. They might provide you with additional information about what is happening and the type of care they are receiving at the facility. If they are hesitant about answering your questions or express fear of the staff overhearing the conversation, that might indicate abuse is occurring.
Report the Suspected Abuse to Texas Health and Human Services
You can also confidentially report the suspected abuse or neglect to Texas Health and Human Services. You can reach them by telephone by calling 800-458-9858.
You can also report the suspected abuse to the Texas Abuse Hotline by calling 800-252-5400 for urgent situations or by submitting a report online.
Contact a Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer You Trust
A nursing home abuse attorney can assist you with investigating and reporting the suspected abuse. They can also help you file a nursing home abuse lawsuit against the staff or facility responsible for your loved one’s injuries.
Hartley Law Firm: Devoted Arlington Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers Serving Texas
At Hartley Law Firm, we are fierce, committed, and compassionate advocates who stand up for vulnerable populations like the elderly and people with disabilities. Austin fearlessly fights for his clients, regardless of the size or sophistication of the at-fault party. In 2021, Expertise.com named him as one of the best personal injury lawyers in Carrollton. If you or your loved one are experiencing nursing home abuse or neglect, contact our office by phone or online to schedule a free consultation.
