You should feel 100% confident that your loved one lives in a safe environment where staff and administrators prioritize their health and happiness. If you feel otherwise—for example, you believe that specific actions on behalf of the nursing home staff warrant your suspicion—then follow your gut, as such odd actions on the part of the staff may signal neglect or abuse.
Contact our team at Pintas & Mullins Law Firm if you believe that your loved one suffered under the care of an untrustworthy staff. Your loved one may need protection and may have a case for compensation. Call us for a free consultation.
Nursing Homes Must Report Allegations of Mistreatment
Nursing home staffers have a duty to treat your loved one with a certain standard of care, according to “The Standard of Care: Legal History and Definitions.” Nursing home administrators also have a duty of care to protect your loved one, as well as to report any allegations of abuse or neglect, according to the Department of Health and Human Services.
Allegations that a nursing home must report include those of:
- An injury of an unknown source, which includes injuries that neither the resident or any witnessing staffer can explain, and any otherwise suspicious injuries.
- Neglect, which may include any behavior that causes the resident to suffer from distress, harm, or anguish. This may include depriving your loved one of critical care, such as bathing, feeding, and common decency.
- Theft of property and other forms of financial exploitation.
- Sexual abuse.
When a resident, staffer, or another person reports these sorts of allegations, then the nursing home must follow the proper channels in reporting them to the Department of Health and Human Services. The nursing home should also inform you of these allegations.
Failing to tell you about such allegations may give you grounds for a civil lawsuit against the nursing home, and it may indicate that the nursing home has created a high-risk environment for your loved one.
Suspicious Actions by Staffers
Those tasked with caring for your loved one should leave little to no doubt in your mind that they care for your loved one’s wellbeing, first and foremost. You may sense that this is not the case with some or all of your loved one’s caregivers. Some reasons for suspecting odd actions on the part of the staff tasked with caring your loved one include:
- One or more caregivers handle your loved one in a rushed or impatient manner, which can have serious consequences, such as your loved one choking during mealtime or falling because they had to move too quickly.
- A caregiver contradicts something that your loved one says, especially if it happens more than once or during a conversation about something serious.
- A caregiver mocks, belittles, demeans, or otherwise verbally mistreats your loved one.
- A caregiver dismisses your loved one’s concerns about their own health or happiness.
- A caregiver does not take your loved one’s concerns about other residents seriously.
The sum of a nursing home’s parts extends beyond the caregivers’ interactions with your loved one. Administrators may also act in ways that warrant further investigation. Some possible red flags with respect to nursing home administrators may include:
- The presence of unexplained charges on you or your loved one’s bill from the nursing home.
- Nursing home administrators charged you for services, medications, or other items that your loved one either does not need or did not receive.
- Nursing home administrators refuse to give you full access to your loved one’s records—financial, health-related, or otherwise—or continually stall when you request such records.
- You do not receive straight answers about suspicions of mistreatment, neglect, or exploitation.
Nursing homes accept payment in exchange for services they purport to provide—namely, taking care of your loved one and protecting them from harm. They have an obligation of honesty and transparency in their business dealings. They must thoroughly vet and monitoring their caregiver-employees, especially if any allegations of mistreatment arise.
If you feel that your loved one’s nursing home falls short in any of these areas, call Pintas & Mullins Law Firm for a free consultation.
For a free legal consultation with a Odd Actions on the Part of the Staff Lawyer serving Berwyn, call (800) 794-0444
Building a Nursing Home Abuse Claim or Lawsuit
If you see any of the signs of abuse or mistreatment as noted by the National Institute of Aging in your loved one, or simply want to find out more about your options for legal action, you have the right to call a lawyer.
When putting together your potential case, your lawyer will aim to show the court that:
- Your loved one has a right to safety, quality care, and dignity while living in the nursing home in question.
- You have a reasonable right to information about your loved one, such as any allegations of mistreatment and financial records pertaining to your loved one.
- The nursing home administration or staff violated one or more of these rights, and because of this violation, you or your loved one has grounds for compensation from the liable parties, including the nursing home.
Having legal representation may help pursue any compensation that you or your loved one qualify for as the result of harm inflicted by nursing home administrators, staffers, or others.
Berwyn Odd Actions on the Part of the Staff Lawyer Near Me (800) 794-0444
Call Pintas & Mullins Law Firm for Help with Your Case
Our team may fight for you and your loved one from the start of your case to its completion. Call us for a free consultation. Our clients pay nothing out of pocket, as we only collect a fee if you receive compensation.
Call or text (800) 794-0444 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
