We’d all love to believe that nursing homes provide safe havens for seniors. Sadly, elderly abuse can, and does, occur often in nursing home facilities in New Orleans.
Statistics reveal thousands of elderly abuse reports get filed each year in Louisiana. Even worse, pandemic conditions increased the frequency and intensity of nursing home abuse.
Do you suspect your aging loved one could be experiencing nursing home abuse? If so, then it’s important to identify what’s happening. Next, it might be in your best interest to speak with a nursing home abuse attorney about your next steps.
Learn more about elderly abuse in nursing homes and how to handle these situations below.
Identifying Nursing Home Abuse
When you have an aging loved one, you know all too well the challenges they face. Seniors often have significant medical and physical needs. They might also start to struggle with mental decline as the years roll on.
These challenges often make senior residents dependent on nursing home staff members. If abuse is occurring, then seniors may not speak up out of fear.
Considering all this, nursing home abuse can easily go unnoticed. Seniors may not report out of fear or because they don’t realize they’re getting abused. Here are some signs to look for:
- Frequent unexplained bruising
- Bed sores
- Infections
- Fall injuries
- Dehydration
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Your loved one seems like they aren’t being well cared for
If you notice these signs, then talk to your loved one.
How Nursing Home Negligence Can Lead to a Legal Claim
Nursing homes have a legal duty to provide for the care and safety of their residents. When this duty of care doesn’t get upheld and losses result, then that can give rise to a legal claim.
Signs You Need a Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer
Are you starting to suspect your loved one may have experienced nursing home abuse? Do you believe that a legal claim would benefit your loved one?
If so, then those are both clear signs that you should speak with a nursing home negligence lawyer.
In general, you’ll want to consider your legal options when:
- Your loved one is under the care of a nursing home
- The nursing home itself or its staff members were negligent
- The negligence caused your loved one to experience specific damages
When these signs are present, consider talking with an attorney.
Are You Searching for a Nursing Home Abuse Attorney?
When you identify signs of nursing home abuse, your best bet is to hire a nursing home abuse attorney ASAP. The sooner you get in touch with a legal representative, the better off your loved one will be.
A good lawyer will help you investigate what’s happening. They’ll work with you to identify who might be responsible for previous negligence. The right attorney will also help you make an informed decision on how to move forward.
If you’re ready to take the next steps, we can help. Schedule a free consultation with our firm now.