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Nursing Home Neglect and Abuse
Nursing homes are often understaffed and the staff
they do have is often poorly trained. Sometimes, staff
with abusive or even criminal backgrounds are hired.
Any of these conditions can lead result in the neglect
and abuse of patients.
If you are reading this site, it likely means that at
some time you had to make the difficult decision of
placing a loved one in a nursing home. The only way
you could have made that decision was by trusting that
the staff of the nursing home would care for and
protect your loved one. Unfortunately, however, you
now find yourself suspecting that that trust has been
violated and that your loved one has been the victim
of neglect or abuse at the hands of those in whom you
entrusted their care and protection.
Your loved one may have sustained an injury for no
apparent reason. Your loved one may have developed
bedsores that continue to worsen. Or, perhaps your
loved one has started to show signs of malnutrition
or dehydration. Among the most common problems
encountered by victims of nursing homes neglect and
abuse are:
- Decubitus Ulcers
Also known as bedsores and pressure sores can
usually be prevented by frequently turning the
patient and using a higher quality mattresses
with overlays. If these simply steps are
not taking, Decubitus ulcers will typically
develop at the the heels, the backs of knees,
the buttocks, and other bony parts of the body.
Decubitus ulcers begin as a red sore on the skin.
If left untreated, the sore breaks the skin. Over
time, if proper steps are not taken, the wound
increases in size and in depth. Eventually, the
wound becomes so deep that it may reach down to
the bone and become infected. When this happens
and antibiotics do not work, amputation may be the
only means of saving the patient's life at this
point. If sepsis (blood poisoning) develops
and reaches an advanced stage, however, even
amputation may not help and the patient dies.
- Falls
Falls are another common problem encountered by
the elderly in nursing homes. In some cases,
patients may not properly secured into wheel
chairs and fall or slip out. Patients are also
left in their beds without rails to protect them.
When left unattended by the staff, these patients
fall, often receiving lacerations, abrasions,
bone fractures, disfigurement, and even head
injuries.
- Malnutrition and dehydration
Malnutrition and dehydration slows down healing
and can worsen existing health problems. Over
time, malnutrition and dehydration lead to severe
complications and may result in the death of the
patient. In some cases, patients with special
dietary requirements are deprived of the nutrition
they need to survive. In other cases, patients
who have lost the ability to feed themselves are
left with food in front of them but no one
to help them reach it.
- Abuse
Physical abuse is a reality for some patients in
nursing homes. Patients are sometimes slapped,
punched, or kicked. Some patients are even forced
to endure sexual assault by staff or other patients.
Whether your loved one has suffered from one of these
common types of injuries or has suffered from any of
the many other injuries that can result from neglect
and abuse, you may feel betrayed and angry. If your
loved one is still at the nursing home, you may also
have grave concerns about future treatment at the
nursing home. These are real feelings and legitimate
concerns.
If you see signs of abuse or neglect with the care of
your loved one, contact Mr. Hernandez immediately. We
want to protect those who are not able to protect
themselves.
Our law firm, together with the network of other
law firms that we work with, helps victims of
personal injury nationally.
Law Office of Joseph A. Hernandez
675 VFW Parkway #312
Chestnut Hill, MA 02467
Phone: (781) 461-9400
Toll Free: (866) 461-9400
Email: jah@hernandezlawoffice.com
Please be sure to include a telephone number where you can be reached.
Thank you for visiting the Law Office of Joseph A.
Hernandez. The material located on our law firm's
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and prospective clients for informational purposes
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