It is critical to have the right lawyer if you or a loved one has been injured by nursing home negligence.
Blue Ridge Injury Law represents clients and their families harmed as a result of neglience. It is important to hold those responsible for abuse accountable, first, because you were harmed, and second, to change their conduct so they don’t harm others.
Different types of negligence occur in nursing homes. Never assume your loved one is being treated well just because there are no outward signs of injury. For example, nursing home neglect can include:
- Abandonment
- Medical Neglect
- Neglect of Basic Needs
- Neglect of Personal Hygiene
- Social or Emotional Neglect
Other abuse can include financial and sexual abuse. If you suspect your loved one is a victim of any type of abuse or neglect in a nursing home, you should contact an attorney for assistance.
Blue Ridge Injury Law and the attorneys we work with have experience investigating mistreatment in nursing homes and pursuing legal action when appropriate. We can help you deal with this difficult and important process.
How Do You Recognize Negligence in Nursing Home Care?
You should suspect elder abuse if there are unusual and unexplained changes in someone’s behavior and/or personality.
If you suspect abuse of your loved one in a nursing home, look for additional signs of abuse, including:
- Unexplained injuries
- Failing to take medications properly
- Evidence of restraint
- Broken eyeglasses, hearing aids, etc.
- Refusal of the caregiver to let you be alone with the elderly person
- Signs of sexual abuse, including unexplained STDs, genital infections, genital bruising, stained, bloody, or torn underwear, vaginal or anal bleeding with no other medical cause
Signs of Neglect in Nursing Homes
- Leaving immobile residents alone for hours
- Not contacting doctors and nurses when needed
- Leaving residents in soiled bedding or clothing
- Not bathing residents (or not checking skin condition during bathing)
- Unexplained weight loss
- Dehydration
- Pressure Ulcers (also known as bedsores) (warning: photos are graphic: Foot | Sacrum | Buttocks)
- Untreated Infections
- Understaffing
These are just a few things to watch out for. If you suspect abuse or neglect of a loved one, even if there are no signs or symptoms listed above, you should still investigate the situation.
What are Your Legal Options If You Believe a Loved One is a Victim of Nursing Home Negligence?
First and foremost, you should contact the authorities if you believe someone is in immediate danger and contact the long-term care ombudsman. They should investigate and take the appropriate action. Second, if the situation is serious and no action is taken to correct the circumstances, get your loved one to safety. Try to have them transferred to a hospital and, from there, to a different nursing home.
If you believe a threat is less imminent, you can speak to a nursing home negligence expert. Nursing home residents have a legal obligation to care for residents. Should they fail to meet this obligation, residents and their families have a right to take legal action.
Blue Ridge Injury Law and the attorneys we work with help victims of nursing home neglect get justice and receive compensation. Our goal is to promote the safety and well-being of nursing home residents and ease the stress associated with the legal system. Our team of experienced legal professionals will:
- Explain your options if negligence has occurred in a nursing home
- Help you navigate the legal system
- Gather evidence that supports your claims of negligence
- Pursue a fair settlement
- Represent you should the case go to trial
Attorneys who work with Blue Ridge Injury Law have experience with cases related to:
- Medical malpractice
- Nursing home neglect
- Physical abuse
- Sexual assault
- Wrongful death
- Other forms of personal injury or mistreatment
How Do I Find a Nursing Home Negligence Attorney?
If you or a loved one has been a victim of nursing home negligence, please contact us. We are happy to discuss your case with you and see how we can help. For more information or to schedule a consultation, contact us at info@mcguffey.net.
CMS to Post Nursing Home Ownership Affiliation Data at Nursing Home Compare
On June 28, 2023, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced it will include ownership and operatorship affiliation information on its Nursing Home Compare website. This follows the White HOuse’s announcement in February 2022 of an initiative to increase the transparency of corporate ownership and operation of nursing homes. CMS’s goal is to […]
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Recently the U.S. Supreme Court decided Talevski v. Health and Hospital Corporation of Marion County (HHC). The Justices, writing separate opinions, clearly found that Congress established a federal right to quality care when it passed the Federal Nursing Home Reform Act. The decision is summarized on EZ Elder Law, but the thumb nail version is […]
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Visitation Allowed at All Times in Nursing Homes
On March 8, 2023, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) revised its nursing home visitation guidance issued during COVID-19. Now, visitation is allowed at all times. The notice, which includes a frequently asked questions attachment with examples, states in part: Facilities shall not restrict visitation without a reasonable clinical or safety cause, consistent […]
What if you suspect nursing home abuse?
In this video, our friend Stephen Cnace explains what to do when you suspect nursing home abuse or negligence. Note: Although Blue Ridge Injury Law co-counsels with Lourie, Chance, Forlines, Carter & King, PC, the firms are different. Nothing on this website is intended to suggest that our relationship with that firm is more than a […]
Updates on Forthcoming Nursing Home Staffing Mandate
On May 10, 2023, EZElderLaw.com reported that the nursing home industry continues to push against nursing home staffing mandates. Despite hidden profits associated with related party actions, industry leaders claim they can’t provide enough care because it would cost as much as $10 billion annually. Still, everyone knows sufficient staffing is directly linked to patient […]
Class Action Certification Denied in Nursing Home Case
In Hooker v. The Citidel Salisbury LLC (M.D. N.C. 4/20/2023), Plaintiffs alleged intentional understaffing by the nursing home, alleged they failed to receive services they were entitled to, and sought class action certification. The nursing home opposed the certification. The Court found that the “class action device is “an exception to the usual rule that […]
Examples of Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect
In the following video, attorney Stephen Chance discusses examples of nursing home abuse and neglect. If you or a loved one have been injured, call us today. Note: Although Blue Ridge Injury Law co-counsels with Lourie, Chance, Forlines, Carter & King, PC, the firms are different. Nothing on this website is intended to suggest that […]
Lance Lourie
Lance Lourie with LOURIE, CHANCE, FORLINES, CARTER & KING, PC is one of the attorneys we work with on a regular basis. Listen to Lance speak about his passion for helping others. Note: Although Blue Ridge Injury Law co-counsels with Lourie, Chance, Forlines, Carter & King, PC, the firms are different. Nothing on this website […]
Department of Justice filed 140 Page Complaint Against Nursing Homes for Worthless Care
The Department of Justice filed a 140 page complaint against a group of nursing homes alleging the care they provided was worthless and that funds paid by Medicare and Medicaid should be recouped. The Complaint alleges the Defendants caused or risked causing serious physical and emotional harm to their residents, who were elderly, disabled, and […]
