Jonesboro Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer

Jonesboro Nursing Homes Abuse LawyersAs the life expectancy of the US population continues to increase, more and more individuals are living much longer. Unfortunately, living longer does not always equate to a quality of living.

Often, families have no other choice than to place a loved one in a nursing facility where statistics show that approximately one out of every ten elderly citizens will experience some type of abuse or neglect.

The affiliate Arkansas personal injury attorneys at Nursing Home Law Center, LLC, have seen a significant rise in the number of civil action lawsuits against nursing facilities and staff in recent years.

Are you the victim of nursing home abuse or neglect? Contact our Jonesboro nursing home abuse lawyers today at (800) 926-7565 (toll-free phone number) to schedule a free consultation.

What Constitutes Abuse in Nursing Homes?

Abuse in nursing homes can take many different forms, including physical, emotional, sexual, or financial. Some common examples of neglect in Jonesboro nursing homes include:

Physical Abuse

Physical abuse is when a nursing home resident is physically harmed by staff members or other residents. It can include anything from hitting and slapping to using force to restrain a resident.

Some signs of physical assault or neglect in a nursing home are:

  • Bed Sores: Bed-ridden patients develop bed sores from lying in the same position for too long. If the nursing home staff is neglectful and does not move the patient as required, they can be deemed responsible for the bed sores. Since bed sores can be very painful, this is considered physical abuse.
  • Bruises: Unexplained bruises, especially on the resident's legs, ankles, wrists, or arms, can signify physical abuse.
  • Fractures: Unexplained broken bones could be a sign of physical abuse.
  • Malnutrition and Dehydration: If a resident is not being fed properly, they may experience malnutrition and dehydration, which could potentially lead to other health problems.

Emotional Abuse

Emotional abuse is when anyone in the nursing home verbally or psychologically abuses a nursing home resident. It includes yelling, shouting, screaming, threatening, name-calling, pretending to harm, or intimidating gestures.

 The most common signs of emotional abuse in nursing home residents are:

  • Anxiety and depression
  • Unusual weight loss or gain
  • Withdrawal from social activities
  • Avoiding participation they previously enjoyed
  • Messy appearance with unwashed hair
  • Difficulty sleeping
  • Withdrawn behavior
  • Acting agitated or violent
  • Displays signs of trauma including rocking back and forth
  • Unexplained bruising, cuts, burns, or scars
  • Developed bedsores
  • The appearance of insufficient care

Sexual Abuse

If a nursing home resident is forced or coerced into sexual activity, it is considered sexual assault. It can happen between residents or a staff member, visitor, family member, friend, and another resident.

Sexual abuse may also happen if someone exposes a nursing home resident to sexual activity or material, such as pornography.

Signs of sexual abuse in nursing homes are similar to other forms of abuse, including:

  • Sudden changes in mood or behavior
  • Withdrawal from social activities
  • Anger
  • Aggression
  • Injuries to genitalia
  • Sexually transmitted disease
  • Secretiveness
  • Fearfulness

Financial Exploitation

If a staff member, family member, visitor, friend, employee, or another nursing home resident takes advantage of a nursing home resident's finances, it is considered financial exploitation, by:

  • Forcing the resident to sign a power of attorney
  • Stealing the resident's money or possessions
  • Using the resident's ATM card without permission
  • Making unauthorized charges on the resident's credit card

Abusing a Jonesboro nursing home resident in any way is never acceptable. If you or a loved one experienced physical injuries or other forms of neglect in a nursing home, you should seek legal help from a Jonesboro, AR, lawyer to determine your possible legal options.

Factors that Put the Elderly At Risk of Abuse and Neglect

While anyone may be abused at a retirement home, some factors put people at greater risk. These include patients who:

  • Do Not Get Regular Visitors: The elderly who do not have friends or family members checking in on them regularly are at a greater risk for mistreatment. Therefore, they may be more isolated and have no one to report any incident of neglect or abuse.
  • Have Dementia: Dementia patients are at greater risk for neglect. Since they may be confused and have trouble communicating, they can be more likely to be mistreated by staff.
  • Have a History of Being Abused: People who have a history of being abused (physical, sexual, emotional, or financial) may be reluctant to report mistreatment for fear of retaliation. As a result, they may also be more likely to be isolated.
  • Are Bedridden: If a resident is bedridden, they'll be more reliant on staff for their care. This can make them more vulnerable to neglect, as they may be unable to defend themselves or report what's happening to them.

If an elder care facility is failing to provide the required standard of care to your loved ones, you should report the issue immediately.

How to Report Nursing Home Neglect and Abuse

Families of nursing home residents who believe their loved ones are being abused have a few different reporting options. Have you noticed bed sores or bruises on the elderly person's body?

The first step is always to notify the nursing home staff. The administration will likely want to conduct an internal investigation to know what happened.

You should provide as much detail as possible about the incident, including when it occurred, where it occurred, who was involved, and what happened.

Then, you can contact your state's ombudsman program or the local police department to stop any further harm

You can also report the neglect to your state's Adult Protective Services agency. The agency is responsible for investigating allegations of abuse, neglect, and exploitation of adults who cannot protect themselves.

You may also file a civil lawsuit against the nursing home if your loved one was injured due to neglect and mistreatment. The proof of negligence, such as pictures of injuries, you collect during the stay of your loved one at the facility may be used to support your claim.

Why Seek Legal Help for Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect?

You can file a lawsuit if you or a loved one was abused or neglected in a nursing home. You may be able to receive compensation for your injuries, which can include physical, emotional, and mental pain and suffering.

It's best to work with an attorney as they can oversee the process adequately. In addition, our Jonesboro lawyers can help you:

Understand the Legal Jargon

There are many laws in place to protect the elderly from mistreatment, but the process of filing a lawsuit can be confusing. An attorney will help you navigate the legal system and understand the jargon.

Gather Evidence

The affiliate attorneys will know how to collect evidence and make a strong case for you in court. Attorneys gather and review health care records and obtain expert testimony and statements to build a case to ensure a successful outcome.

Receive Compensation

Any injured victim can file a claim seeking monetary compensation for their injuries. It can help cover medical expenses, pain, and suffering. Punitive damages may also be available in some cases.

Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer to Resolve a Jonesboro Nursing Home Neglect Lawsuit

If you have any suspicions or see indicators that your loved ones residing in a Jonesboro nursing home have been mistreated, abused, or sustained physical injuries, it is crucial to take immediate steps now by hiring our legal services.

The Jonesboro nursing home abuse attorneys at Nursing Home Law Center, LLC, will fight aggressively to ensure justice has been served by holding those responsible for causing your loved one harm financially and legally accountable.

Our affiliate Craighead County elder neglect network of attorneys has represented many nursing home resident victims in cases involving negligence, mistreatment, and abuse. Contact our Jonesboro elderly abuse law office today by calling (800) 926-7565 (toll-free phone call) or through an online contact form to schedule your free consultation with our attorneys for a no-obligation case evaluation.

All information you share with our law offices remains confidential. We accept all wrongful death lawsuits, personal injury claims, and nursing home neglect cases through contingency fee arrangements, meaning no upfront fees from you are required.

Look here for additional information on Arkansas laws on nursing homes.

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Client Reviews

★★★★★
Jonathan did a great job helping my family navigate through a lengthy lawsuit involving my grandmother's death in a nursing home. Through every step of the case, Jonathan kept my family informed of the progression of the case. Although our case eventually settled at a mediation, I really was impressed at how well prepared Jonathan was to take the case to trial. Lisa
★★★★★
After I read Jonathan’s Nursing Home Blog, I decided to hire him to look into my wife’s treatment at a local nursing home. Jonathan did a great job explaining the process and the laws that apply to nursing homes. I immediately felt at ease and was glad to have him on my side. Though the lawsuit process was at times frustrating, Jonathan reassured me, particularly at my deposition. I really felt like Jonathan cared about my wife’s best interests, and I think that came across to the lawyers for the nursing home. Eric