Anyone considering a nursing home for their loved one spends a lot of time looking into various facilities to ensure they are choosing a caring, competent, and professional facility. Unfortunately, even with the most diligent research, families can find themselves dealing with staff behavior that evokes suspicions of abuse or neglect.
If strange staff behavior has you worried about abuse or neglect, a Fort Worth odd actions on the part of the staff lawyer may be able to help. Pintas & Mullins Law Firm can help you fight for your loved one’s rights. Call us at (800) 842-6336 to schedule a free consultation today.
Nursing Home Neglect and Abuse in Texas
The National Council on Aging (NCOA) reports that one in ten Americans over the age of 60 have experienced abuse or neglect, with only one in fourteen of these cases being reported. The problem with nursing home abuse and neglect is one that cannot be ignored. This often requires family members to act as advocates, spot odd behavior on the part of the staff, recognize sudden changes in their loved one’s emotional state, and investigate their suspicions immediately.
Nursing home staff members are held to high standards of conduct and care. Many are individuals who have dedicated themselves to providing the highest quality of care possible to your loved one. Some, unfortunately, are either rushed, undertrained, and poorly paid. Sadly, this can result in neglect and abuse.
Strange behavior, unexplained secrecy, or a sudden reluctance to communicate effectively with family members could indicate abuse or neglect and should not be overlooked.
Odd Staff Behaviors to Take Note of Include:
- Speaking for your loved one rather than allowing them to speak for themselves
- Spending an unreasonable amount of time in your loved one’s personal space and seemingly overly familiar with their belongings.
- Appearing anxious around family members
- Suddenly stopping your entering the facility or your loved one’s room
- Suddenly requiring family members to wait an excessive amount of time before entering their loved one’s room
- Confusing inaction when presented with obvious medical concerns or questions about your loved one’s well-being or overall care
If a staff member’s behavior makes you uneasy, chances are it makes your loved one uneasy as well. Given their level of dependency on staff members to meet their most basic daily needs, residents can be hesitant to voice concerns. It often falls to the family to notice signs and report suspicions on behalf of the resident.
Signs of Neglect or Abuse Include:
- Sudden or unexplained changes in your loved one’s emotional state. These can include irritability, depression, anxiety, avoidance of physical touch, and more.
- Sudden and unexplained weight loss or hair loss.
- Bedsores, infections, bruises, lacerations, and other signs of physical injury.
- Poor personal hygiene.
If you are noticing any of these signs or others that seem concerning, reassure your loved one that they can voice their concerns and that you will fight to have the situation resolved or remove them from the facility. Then, consider hiring a lawyer and learn how to ensure your loved one’s rights are being protected. Reach out to Pintas & Mullins Law Firm to learn more about what a lawyer can do to help you.
Know Your Rights in Texas
The State of Texas and the federal government have enacted a number of laws designed to protect the rights of vulnerable nursing home residents. Understanding legal codes can feel like a tall order, and a Fort Worth odd actions on the part of the staff lawyer can help walk you through what Texas’s statutes mean to you and your family.
According to the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), the Nursing Home Reform Act mandates all nursing homes and long-term care facilities to provide adequate care to every resident. This includes hiring well-trained staff, ensuring the patient to staff member ratio meets the needs of the population, maintaining sanitary conditions in private and common areas, and providing regular and nutritious foods to every resident. Additionally, it explicitly prohibits abuse, neglect, and mistreatment and outlines the actions staff members are expected to take if maltreatment is suspected.
Reporting the Abuse
- Speak to your loved one’s case manager about your concerns and follow up to ensure they are being addressed.
- If action is not taken after your complaint, file a report with the National Adult Protective Services Association (NAPSA) or a long-term care ombudsman.
- Alert the police to the situation
Once a complaint is filed, Texas Administrative Code §19.602 requires nursing home facilities to conduct a full investigation within five business days. If they fail to do so, a nursing home abuse lawyer can advocate on your behalf to compel action and litigate in court if necessary.
For a free legal consultation with a Odd Actions on the Part of the Staff Lawyer serving Fort Worth, call (800) 842-6336
Find an Advocate and Fight for Justice
Reporting suspected abuse or neglect does more than just ensure your loved one is not forced to continue to suffer or starts experiencing worsening abuse. It can protect other residents from negligent or abusive conditions.
If you believe your loved one is being subjected to abuse, neglect, or mistreatment, you may be entitled to seek compensation for their medical expenses, pain and suffering, and more. A lawyer will investigate on your family’s behalf, advise you on the viability of your case, file a lawsuit within the prescribed statute of limitations, and act as your advocate in court if a resolution cannot be reached.
A Fort Worth odd actions on the part of the staff lawyer is dedicated to fighting for the rights of your family. We work on a contingency fee basis and collect nothing until you win. Call us at (800) 842-6336 to schedule a free consultation today.
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