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At some point in our lives, we are all likely to need the care of a loved one. If that person is living in a nursing home, you might be inclined to assume that they are being well taken care of. Unfortunately, this isn’t always the case. If you suspect your family member has been neglected or abused, our nursing home abuse lawyer in Quincy is here to help.
Nursing home abuse is unfortunately common and can happen to anyone. The sooner you know if your loved one has been abused by their nursing home staff, the better chance there is for a positive outcome. Contact us at 312-622-2900 for a consultation.
What to look for
If your loved one is living at a nursing home, it can be difficult to tell if they are being abused. You may not see any bruises or injuries, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t there. It’s important to know how to spot elder abuse so you can get help for your loved one and make sure they don’t suffer from further harm in the future.
If you suspect that your loved one has been the victim of nursing home abuse, here’s what to look for:
- Weight loss and malnutrition. Elderly people often lose weight when they are abused because they don’t have enough strength to eat and digest food. If an elder suddenly loses weight, check with their doctor to see if there is a medical reason for it. If not, it may be a sign of abuse.
- Unexplained bruising. Bruises or other skin injuries can be indicators of nursing home abuse as well as physical fights between residents, so if you notice any unexplained bruising around your loved one’s nose or eyes (as well as on other parts of their body), ask them about it directly.
- Unusual medications prescribed by the staff that have not been prescribed before by another doctor.
Pressure ulcers (bedsores) can be a sign of neglect
Pressure ulcers, also known as bedsores, are a form of skin injury that is caused by pressure to the skin. They can occur anywhere on the body, but often appear at bony prominences such as the heels and sacrum (the lower back portion of your spine). Pressure ulcers can also develop on other areas where there is no padding, such as elbows and ankles.
Pressure ulcers have four stages:
- Stage I—Skin reddening
- Stage II—Skin blistering (which may be superficial or deep)
- Stage III—Full thickness tissue loss through all layers of skin and into muscle or bone tissue beneath it
- Stage IV—Full thickness tissue loss through all layers of skin and into an area that contains blood vessels, nerves, tendons or joints
Bedsores, or pressure ulcers, mainly occur in people who are unable to move around well on their own. They spend most of their time in a bed, chair, or wheelchair; especially nursing home residents with mobility problems.
Nursing home staff are trained to prevent bedsores. There are steps nursing home staff must take, so residents who develop them could be victims of neglect or abuse. In these cases it is important to contact a nursing home lawyer in Quincy to file a personal injury claim. You and your family deserve justice and Carlson Bier Associates are here for you.
If you suspect elder abuse, our nursing home abuse lawyer in Quincy will help you pursue justice.
It’s important to know the signs of elder abuse so you can stop it as soon as possible. Elder abuse is a terrible thing and should never happen to you or your loved one. You have trusted a nursing home to provide quality care. When that trust is violated, it’s important to take action.
If you suspect that they’re being abused or neglected, contact our nursing home abuse lawyer in Quincy today. We can help! We invest the time and resources needed to pursue justice for you.
