Nursing  home  neglect  can  occur  in  many  forms  such  as physical  abuse, verbal  abuse, neglect, and negligence.

Neglect is any single or repeated act of intentional or unintentional negligence committed by a nursing home professional that has the potential to cause physical, mental, or psychological harm to nursing home residents. Any commission or omission of an act that harms a patient may be considered nursing home abuse.

In New York, nursing home negligence often comes under the category of elder abuse and is widespread throughout the United States. Approximately 1.7 million people are cared for in nursing homes every year and it is estimated that a quarter of all Americans will receive long term care at some point in their lifetime.

Thousands of nursing home residents die from starvation, dehydration, or bedsores each year and all three of these conditions are a result of nursing home malpractice.

Unfortunately, nursing home abuse comes in all sizes and flavors. These include: physical abuse, verbal abuse, emotional abuse, improper care, failure to provide care or medical treatment, and physical negligence.

Nursing home negligence can take many forms such as:

  • Home health attendants who negligently drop a patient
  • Patients who are burned by scalding water
  • Falls from wheelchairs
  • Falls from beds where railing was not placed in an upward and locked position or where the patient was left unattended in an unsafe situation
  • Improper or insufficient care which leads to bedsores/pressure ulcers
  • Improper or insufficient care which leads to malnutrition or dehydration
  • Patients who injure themselves by trying to get up by themselves because they couldn’t obtain assistance
  • Slips and falls due to premises liability such as: broken or slippery floors, loose cords, clutter, etc.

The care facility may have problems be due to:

  • Poorly trained, poorly paid, or insufficient nursing staff
  • Overcrowding
  • Inadequate responses to questions about nursing home care
  • Sometimes, staff members have a history of violence. Other times, staff members are poorly qualified or not trained adequately.

What Are the Physical Signs of Abuse and Neglect in a Nursing Home?

There can be few things more distressing in life than finding out that one of your loved ones is being mistreated. It can be even more worrisome if the loved one being mistreated is an elder at a nursing home.

Nursing home abuse and neglect is far more prevalent than most people think. Looking out for signs of nursing home abuse and neglect can help you prevent further damage from taking place and can give you a basis to start a personal injury claim against the negligent nursing home and staff responsible for your elderly loved one’s injuries. Signs of physical abuse and neglect in a nursing home include:

  • Bedsores
  • Broken bones, torn ligaments,
  • Sprains and strains
  • Burns
  • Dehydration
  • Loss of sleep
  • Malnutrition
  • Hygiene issues

Being on the lookout for these physical signs that abuse or neglect has taken place can be key to stopping that abuse and neglect and having a personal injury case on your hands. If you believe your elderly loved one has suffered at the hands of the nursing home responsible for their care, give us a call at 1-855-RIZZUTO (749-9886) to speak with our legal team today. We represent clients throughout all 5 boroughs in New York City, Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens, Staten Island, as well as Westchester County, Nassau County and Suffolk County throughout all of Long Island.

What Are the Emotional Signs of Abuse and Neglect?

While physical signs of abuse may be easier to pinpoint than emotional or behavioral signs, keeping a lookout for these changes can also help you make things right sooner rather than later. Emotional signs of abuse and neglect include:

  • Sudden change of behavior or demeanor
  • Isolation
  • Loss of trust
  • Substance abuse

Make sure to look for these signs to see whether or not your elderly loved one is being abused and neglected in their nursing home. If you have seen these signs and believe the nursing home’s negligence is the reason for it, reach out to our law firm today.

What Kind of Proof is Needed to Prove Negligence?

Proving negligence on the part of the nursing home requires significant proof. Pictures of the injuries, wounds or bedsores, videos, reports, medical records, and witness testimony can all help you prove the nursing home was negligent in its treatment of your elderly loved one. Our lawyers can investigate your claims further to build a strong injury case on your behalf.

Should I Hire a Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect Attorney?

Getting strong and relentless legal assistance for your potential nursing home abuse and neglect case can be critical when it comes to getting the compensation you deserve for your case. Consider reaching out to our experienced Long Island nursing home abuse lawyers today to see what we can do to help. Call today at 1-855-RIZZUTO (749-9886) or more information. We represent clients throughout all 5 boroughs in New York City, Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens, Staten Island, as well as Westchester County, Nassau County and Suffolk County throughout all of Long Island.