It can be a difficult decision to put your spouse or parents into a nursing home. Our loved ones need long-term care as they age, and many nursing homes provide comprehensive care. However, not all facilities and staff members deliver the same level of care.
Nursing home residents interact with several employees multiple times a day. Anyone of these workers can affect your family member’s living conditions, health, and safety. If the caretakers at your parents’ or spouse’s nursing home seem suspicious, it may be time to consider working with a Louisiana odd actions on the part of the staff lawyer.
Contact the team at Pintas & Mullins Law Firm at (800) 842-6336 today to discuss your legal options.
Examples of Odd Behavior in Nursing Home Staff Members
Senior citizens are a vulnerable population. Their physical and mental abilities can change as they age. It can be difficult or even impossible for them to protect themselves. They may be unable to verbalize instances of abuse or speak up about their experiences.
You may have spotted some red flags while visiting your loved one’s nursing home. The National Institute on Aging (NIA) has a comprehensive list regarding signs of abuse or neglect. Some warning signs of poor elderly care can include your family member:
- Having sudden behavioral changes
- Getting bruises, cuts, and other unexplained injuries
- Experiencing sudden health issues
- Wearing soiled clothing
- Being dirty, unwashed, or displaying other signs of neglect
- Being disoriented or overly medicated
Nursing home residents require assistance with tasks such as bathing, dressing, and using the restroom. Sometimes, the caretakers who carry out these tasks are poorly trained or overworked. Due to inexperience or frustration, they may mistreat seniors in their charge.
Although we all have bad days at work, nursing home employees need to treat residents with care and dignity. Call Pintas & Mullins Law Firm if you believe a nursing home’s care staff is abusing or mistreating your family member.
Concerning Signs in a Nursing Home
In some cases, the facility’s atmosphere may indicate that your spouse or parent does not receive the care they need. This lack of care can include:
- Understaffing issues
- Overworked care providers
- Inexperienced employees
The operations of your loved one’s nursing home may have changed since you first entrusted them with your family member. Sometimes, when a nursing home changes administrators, its quality of care declines. Still, this fact does not shield them from liability.
When visiting the nursing home of your loved one, it is critical to recognize the signs of poor management, such as:
- A loud and chaotic environment. Well-run organizations typically have calmer atmospheres. Seniors, especially those with dementia and memory issues, can feel overwhelmed and irritated by angry employees and loud paging systems.
- Identification issues. If a staff member confuses your loved one with another patient, they can receive the wrong medications and care. Some facilities require residents to wear identification bracelets to prevent mix-ups.
- Little to no contact. Residents should be allowed to see their family members whenever reasonably possible. Nursing homes with brief or inconvenient visiting hours can indicate that the facility does not like outsiders. Likewise, if staff members prevent you from being alone with your spouse or parent, they could be trying to hide something.
- Lost items. Does it seem like your loved one’s personal possessions have gone missing? Low-paid workers may steal valuables, like jewelry and cash, to make up for their salaries or stress. They may claim residents, especially those with memory issues, misplaced stolen goods, or never had them.
- Safety issues. Spills, ripped carpets, and items left on the floor can increase residents’ likelihood of falling.
- High staff turnover. Constantly changing staff members can show that the nursing home does not provide adequate care. If a nursing home does not treat their employees with consideration, then you cannot expect that they will do the same for elderly residents.
If you recognize one or more of the following elements in your loved one’s nursing home, you should take prompt measures to promote their safety.
An Overview of Nursing Home Abuse or Neglect Cases
Your claim or lawsuit may concern personal injury or medical malpractice issues. Your Louisiana odd actions on the part of the staff lawyer can discuss which action applies to you. According to Louisiana Revised Statutes (RS) §9:5628, you typically have one year to file a lawsuit. However, this deadline may change based on when you discovered instances of abuse or neglect.
Some types of maltreatment that may have threatened your loved one’s wellbeing include:
- Physical abuse
- Sexual abuse
- Verbal or emotional abuse
- Theft
- Neglect
- Medication errors
In addition to the staff, the nursing home and its administration may also be responsible for any mistreatment. The administration is responsible for vetting employees before allowing them to interact with residents.
Financial awards from nursing home abuse cases can cover your loved one’s medical treatment. If your loved one requires mental health counseling, your lawyer can take these costs into consideration. You can also seek compensation for the cost of moving your family member to another nursing home.
For a free legal consultation, call (800) 842-6336
How a Lawyer from Pintas & Mullins Law Firm Can Help
Your attorney will investigate the facts of your case and seek compensation on your behalf. They will interview you and your family member to gain insight into the circumstances surrounding your case and take action accordingly. They will also look for evidence of wrongdoing to strengthen your claim.
Nursing home corporations hire defense teams to challenge accusations of mistreatment. Having a Louisiana odd actions on the part of the staff lawyer allows you to focus on taking care of your family member.
Call the legal professionals at Pintas & Mullins Law Firm at (800) 842-6336 today to find out how you can seek compensation for your family member’s mistreatment.
Call or text (800) 842-6336 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form