Have you noticed odd actions on the part of the staff at your family member’s nursing home? If you believe your loved one’s caregivers are acting strangely, it could be a bad sign. It may mean abuse and/or neglect is happening.
Pintas & Mullins Law Firm understands that it can be difficult to decide to put your loved one into a nursing home. Once you have made that choice, you expect the facility you have selected to treat your loved one with a high standard of care. Learning they may have been neglected or abused is terrible.
An Austin odd actions on the part of the staff lawyer can help you take action against the people who harmed your family member. Your loved one can be compensated for the damages and suffering they have endured. Call our offices at (800) 842-6336 to speak with a member of our team about your options.
Staff Behavior Can Reveal a Lot About the Level of Care
If you feel like the staff at your loved one’s nursing home is acting oddly, trust your gut. If you believe something is wrong, it probably is. If you are getting a bad feeling, do not write that feeling off. Instead, document any strange staff behavior or other concerns and consider taking action. There may be cause for alarm if:
- The staff avoids, deflects, or refuses to answer questions about your loved one’s care.
- Your loved one’s visits, mail, and telephone calls are being monitored.
- Your loved one is missing personal items and belongings.
- Your loved one expresses dislike for particular members of the staff.
- The staff is unfriendly, disorganized, or unqualified.
- There is a high rate of staff turnover.
- Staff members are acting secretly, evasively, or as though there is something to hide.
A report by Kaiser Health News (KHN) found that many nursing homes over-reported the number of nurses and caregivers on staff in payroll records submitted to Medicare.
In some instances, there were no nurses on staff at all. You can identify when a nursing home is short-staffed by the actions of the employees. Be wary if the staff always seems to be in a hurry or does not have time to answer the facility’s phone or the residents’ call bells.
When a facility is understaffed, the quality of care suffers, and residents may be neglected. The staff may not be able to reposition bedridden residents as often as needed to prevent bedsores. Residents who suffer from incontinence or need assistance to use the bathroom may have accidents when there are not enough employees to attend to their needs. When staff is unavailable to help residents who need assistance with mobility, they may try to move on their own, resulting in falls and accidents.
If you believe the nursing home’s staff is acting strangely or have any reason to suspect your loved one is being abused or neglected, contact an Austin odd actions on the part of the staff lawyer. An attorney can help you look into the conditions at your family member’s nursing home. If there is reason to be concerned, a lawyer can help you move forward with a lawsuit.
Know the Signs of Abuse
Odd actions on the part of staff could be because they are trying to hide abuse, neglect, or financial exploitation. According to the National Center on Elder Abuse (NCEA), nearly one-third of reported nursing home abuse is physical. Physical abuse is not only behaviors like hitting or pinching, but it can also be force-feeding, spitting at a resident, or using restraints.
Emotional abuse includes actions like isolating a resident, humiliating them, or using threats of violence, deprivation, or punishment. Though emotional abuse is not as overly violent as physical abuse, it can still cause injuries and health problems. The psychological effects of emotional abuse can result in depression, insomnia, and other mental health conditions that can contribute to a rapid decline in the elderly.
Stealing or misusing a resident’s financial assets and personal property is a type of abuse called financial exploitation. This can include changing a resident’s will, withdrawing and spending money from their bank account, or taking jewelry or other valuable items.
You Can Stop Abuse
If you have reason to think your loved one has been harmed in any way, get help. An attorney can ensure allegations of abuse are reported to the authorities. Elder abuse and neglect are illegal. Texas Health and Safety Code §242.001 states that nursing homes must provide professional caregivers, a safe environment, and a high standard of care. If a nursing home does not uphold state standards, its license can be revoked. If abuse and neglect have been committed, those who own, operate, or work in the facility could face criminal charges.
You may also be able to make the nursing home financially responsible. A lawyer can help you seek damages through a lawsuit. Your family member could receive awards for:
- Healthcare costs
- Rehabilitation services
- The costs of relocating to another nursing home
- The value of misappropriated funds or property
- Physical pain
- Mental and emotional suffering
The statute of limitations for filing a personal injury claim in Texas is two years, according to Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code §16.003. An attorney can ensure your case is investigated and prepared for court before the window to take action closes.
For a free legal consultation with a Odd Actions on the Part of the Staff Lawyer serving Austin, call (800) 794-0444
Your Loved One Has a Right to Justice
State and federal laws exist to protect nursing home residents. If their caregivers hurt your family member, you have the right to seek justice and compensation. Pintas & Mullins Law Firm combines our 35-plus years of experience with that of an attorney in your area. An Austin odd actions on the part of the staff lawyer will work with you locally to attempt to successfully resolve your case. Let our team handle your claims so that you can turn your attention to your loved one. Call our offices at (800) 842-6336 to learn more.
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