Hazleton Nursing Home Abuse/Neglect Lawyer
In a perfect world, you would never have to move a loved one to a nursing home or assisted living facility. However, the reality is that there are numerous medical conditions or financial burdens that make it necessary to place your family members in a facility that has the resources and means to take care of them.
It’s understandable to assume that if you are placing the care of your loved ones into the hands of a professional that you can rest easy knowing they are well-taken care. Unfortunately, it’s not always that simple, and your loved one could be at risk for neglect or abuse.
Given that Pennsylvania has one of the fasting aging populations in the country, the need for excellent care is outpacing the availability. Even nursing homes with the best reputations are not immune to problems. If you suspect your family member is a victim of nursing home neglect or abuse, you need to speak with a Hazleton nursing home abuse & neglect lawyer as soon as possible.
At O’Donnell Law Offices, our team of lawyers is here to assist. We help clients throughout Pennsylvania with ensuring their family members are out of danger and compensated in the event there is neglect or abuse.
What is Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect?
Neglect and abuse in nursing homes can take multiple forms. Under the law, nursing home neglect means someone negligently failed in their duty to exercise the proper care owed to someone in their custody. This means did the nursing home act reasonably and in the same manner that a reasonable person would in a similar position?
If they did not, they could be held accountable for nursing home neglect. Neglect can include things like failure to provide proper clothing or adequate food and nutrition, failure to assist with personal hygiene needs, failure to protect from safety and health hazards, and failure to give reasonable and necessary medical care for mental and physical health needs.
Nursing home abuse can include some unspeakable acts, like assault, battery, sexual assault, prolonged deprivation of food and water, unreasonable use of physical restraints, using drugs and chemical restraints without authorization, etc. Abuse can also be financial in nature. Someone who convinces a nursing home patient to change their will, or steals their bank account information and takes out money, etc.
What Warning Signs Should You Watch For?
Monitoring for signs of nursing home neglect and abuse is an unfortunate responsibility that family members have to perform. If you suspect a family member is being hurt, start by looking for signs of physical abuse, like:
- Unexplained open wounds, bruises, welts, cuts
- Other unexplained injuries
- Sexual assault
- Over-mediation
- Significant weight loss
- Change in attitude of your family member — scared, withdrawn, agitated around certain staff
You should also monitor for nursing home neglect as well. Some symptoms include:
- Bed sores or pressure sores
- Inadequate supervision
- Dehydration
- Open wounds
- Unsanitary conditions
- Malnutrition
- Lack of dental or medical care
- Rashes
Contact a Hazleton Nursing Home Neglect and Abuse Lawyer Today
If you need assistance with a loved one who is in a nursing home or assisted living facility, contact O’Donnell Law Offices today to schedule an initial consultation.
