What to Do If You Suspect Nursing Home Abuse
The mere thought that nursing home staff could be neglecting or abusing a loved one is enough to induce rage in even the calmest individuals. If you think your elderly parent or grandparent is receiving anything less than quality care, you’re probably wondering how to hold the facility accountable.
Before you do anything rash, though, take a deep breath and consider all that’s at stake. While it may be tempting to lash out at the staff, the law is in your favor, and you have some recourse—as long as you take the right steps from day one.
Let’s take a look at some of the most important steps to take as soon as you suspect nursing home abuse:
1. Arrange Alternative Accommodations
If your loved one’s life, health, or safety is in jeopardy, you’ll want to relocate him or her as soon as possible. Depending on the circumstances, it may be possible to move him or her to a new facility immediately. Otherwise, it may make sense to bring him or her back home and hire a live-in caregiver until a bed opens up at another nursing home in the area.
2. Record Your Concerns
What made you suspect neglect or abuse in the first place? Did your relative have a series of unexplained hospitalizations? Is he or she malnourished or suffering from bedsores?
Regardless of your specific concerns, find a way to document the most worrisome signs of trouble. You might be able to do so using medical records, photographs, journal entries, video footage, and/or eyewitness testimony.
3. Call a Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer
The sooner you hire an attorney, the sooner you can get your case underway. A resourceful lawyer will conduct a thorough investigation that hopefully yields the evidence needed to take action against the nursing home.
Enlisting help early on will also allow you to refer administrators from the facility to your legal team from day one. As soon as the staff learns of your suspicions, they’ll undoubtedly reach out and try to convince you to let them handle the investigation internally.
No matter how sympathetic or helpful they seem, it’s imperative to remember that their end goal is in direct opposition with your own. While they want to protect the facility’s bottom line, you want to hold them accountable for the damages they’ve caused. Thankfully, they won’t be able to manipulate you if you simply refuse all correspondence and instead direct them to your lawyer.
Call 772-266-5555 to Discuss Your Case with a Stuart Nursing Home Abuse Attorney
At Donaldson & Weston, we’re willing to go to bat for our clients. If you want to take action against a long-term care facility, we’ll supply the knowledge, resources, and experience you need to proceed with your claim.
Our tireless team has recovered more than $100 million for clients in successful settlements and verdicts. Call 772-266-5555 or fill out our Contact Form to schedule a free case review with a nursing home abuse lawyer in Stuart.
