Frisco Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers

If you believe your loved one has suffered abuse or neglect at a nursing home, contact the Frisco nursing home abuse lawyers at the Hartley Law Firm immediately. Elderly loved ones are especially vulnerable when residing in a nursing home because many cannot advocate for themselves or fight back against abuse or neglect. Often, nursing home residents rely solely on their families to speak up for them.

If you made the difficult decision to place your loved one in a nursing home, it is imperative to know the signs of nursing home abuse and neglect. If you suspect someone you love is the victim of nursing home neglect or abuse in the Little Elm area, please contact our attorneys to discuss your options.

What Is the Difference Between Abuse and Neglect?

Although abuse and neglect can have overlapping attributes, the two are different in many respects. Abuse is physical, emotional, or psychological harm because of the negligent or intentional acts of another.

Neglect is a disregard of duty resulting from carelessness, indifference, or willfulness.

Signs of Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect

If someone you love is a long-term care resident, you should familiarize yourself with the signs of nursing home neglect and abuse. Knowing what to look for can make the difference in catching inappropriate and impermissible behavior immediately.

Common signs of nursing home neglect and abuse include:

Bruises,
Broken bones,
Bed sores,
Poor hygiene,
Unsanitary living conditions,
Unexplained weight loss, and
Fearfulness.

Sadly, many nursing home residents experience some form of dementia or inability to communicate effectively, which makes them especially vulnerable to abuse. It is crucial that you keep a close eye on your relatives. You should always speak up at the first sign of abuse.

Types of Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect

The Little Elm nursing home abuse attorneys at the Hartley Law Firm are well versed in various types of nursing home mistreatment. It may not be immediately apparent, but nursing home neglect can take many forms.

Medical Neglect

Medical neglect occurs when nursing home caregivers fail to provide medical care and attention to residents. Examples include failing to properly clean and care for infections, failing to care for bed sores, and inadequate diabetic care, among other things.

Failure to Provide Personal Hygiene

A nursing home is responsible for providing residents with basic personal hygiene, including bathing, dental care, hair care, and laundry services.

Failure to Fulfill Basic Needs

Every nursing home resident is entitled to having their basic needs met, including clean water, food, and a clean, safe environment within which to live.

Social and Emotional Neglect

Just because individuals are nursing home residents does not mean they should be left alone for extended periods. They are entitled to interaction with other residents, caregivers, family members, and friends.

Three Common Causes of Nursing Home Neglect and Abuse

Although there may be many reasons for nursing home abuse and neglect, there are three common causes.

Inadequate Training

Nursing homes and long-term care facilities must provide employees with adequate and proper training. Improperly or inadequately trained staff can lead to abuse and neglect issues.

Understaffed Facilities

Unfortunately, simple math shows that if a nursing home is not fully staffed, each resident will receive less care. If staff members are spread too thin among residents, it leads to stressed out staff with too many patients and too little time to tend to their needs. Understaffing can be especially prevalent in government-funded nursing home facilities.

Negligent Hiring

If the nursing home fails to thoroughly screen potential new employees, it can lead to the hiring of unsavory individuals. It is imperative that nursing home facilities are diligent during the hiring process. Sadly, not everyone cares for our elderly as they should, and some people have ill intentions. Criminal background and reference checks can save residents from abuse or negligence.

If you suspect your loved one is the victim of nursing home neglect or abuse, you need a fierce and compassionate advocate on your side. The nursing home may be liable for any injuries your loved one suffers as a result of abuse or neglect. The Little Elm nursing home abuse attorneys at the Hartley Law Firm will do what is necessary to protect your elderly loved one.

Frisco Nursing Home Abuse Attorneys

Deciding to place a loved one in a nursing home is never easy. But once you make that decision, you should be able to have peace of mind that your family member is residing in a safe and welcoming environment. Our elderly should always be cared for with the utmost respect and decency. The Frisco nursing home abuse lawyers at the Hartley Law Firm understand the vulnerable position your loved one is in, and we want to help. Our goal is to keep your loved one safe and recover any compensation they may deserve for their suffering. Contact us today to schedule a consultation.

Our experienced legal team also handles clients with other types of injury cases, including: