Nursing home neglect is a common form of abuse affecting the elderly in nursing homes across the country. Neglect can be detrimental to the health of nursing home residents and occurs when they receive inadequate or lack of care they need. Nursing home negligence can vary from case to case, but overall has distinct signs that may affect their physical and emotional wellbeing.
If you believe your family member is enduring nursing home negligence, you may be able to hold the nursing home or staff accountable for any damages they’ve caused from inadequate care. Losses can include a decline in health, increased medical care and hospitalization, emotional suffering, or death. At Feller & Wendt, we believe in working tirelessly to hold the responsible parties accountable for the suffering they have caused.
5 Signs Your Loved One May Be Suffering From Nursing Home Neglect in Utah
When nursing homes and staff fail to provide the proper care nursing home residents need, it may result in substantial damage to their physical and emotional health. Knowing signs of neglect may help you prevent or stop the abuse before it takes a toll on your loved one’s well being.
The following signs may be an indication that your loved one is suffering from nursing home neglect:
1. Poor Hygiene
When your loved one is a resident in a nursing home, the nursing staff is responsible for providing and aiding in upkeep with personal hygiene. Many residents may require help to get dressed, bathe, brush their teeth, comb their hair, and more.
When inadequate or no help is provided with these tasks, your loved one may be left to attempt to handle it on their own and may not be able to do it properly. Poor hygiene among nursing home residents may be a result of inadequate staffing or poor education on how to provide quality care.
2. Unsanitary Living Conditions
A nursing home is required to provide a sanitary, clean, and safe living environment for all nursing home residents. If a nursing home perpetuates unsanitary living conditions, it may be an indication of nursing home neglect. You may be able to recover necessary damages if an unsanitary nursing home resulted in health-related issues and other negative consequences for your loved one.
3. Loss or Lack of Mobility
Mobility may be a challenge for most nursing home residents. It is the lawful responsibility of nursing home staff to make sure that residents are able to move around, exercise, and remain as active as possible to maintain tone and strength of muscles, improve circulation, and increase balance. If a resident is left neglected in bed without movement, they may lose all mobility and increase the risk of bedsores, infection, and atrophied muscles.
4. Unexplained Physical Injuries
Mysterious injuries like bruises, broken bones, and head injuries may be an indication of neglect or abuse in nursing homes. If nursing home residents are being neglected, they may opt to try and do tasks themselves that lead to significant injuries; for example, 67% of all fall fatalities occur among people that are 75 and older.
5. Emotional Distress or Psychological Issues
When an elderly resident experiences neglect, it may cause psychological issues or emotional distress, similar to other forms of abuse. They may become fearful of caregivers, exhibit anxiety, mood swings, or withdraw. Any extreme emotional changes, such as depression, should be taken seriously. Psychological issues can result in a decline in health, both physical and emotional.
Damages Recoverable From a Successful Nursing Home Neglect Case in Utah
If you believe your family member has experienced nursing home neglect that led to serious injury or other losses, you may be able to recover compensation for the actions of the neglectful caregiver.
The following are damages recoverable from a successful nursing home neglect case in Utah:
- Medical Expenses: If your family member has experienced neglect to the point of injury or decline in health, you may be able to recover compensation for the cost of medical expenses, such as hospitalization, medication, surgery, and other financial losses.
- Emotional Suffering: If the nursing home neglect resulted in psychological damage to your loved one that affected their quality of life, you may be able to recover compensation for pain and suffering and emotional distress.
- Punitive Damages: If nursing home staff deliberately or maliciously was neglectful or abusive towards your loved one, you may be awarded punitive damages.
At Feller & Wendt, we work diligently to hold the responsible parties accountable for their actions. We initiate a comprehensive investigation into the incident, obtain beneficial evidence, and build a solid case on your behalf so you may obtain the justice you deserve.
Speak to an Experienced Utah Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer at Feller & Wendt
If you believe your family member has experienced deliberate abuse or neglect at the hands of nursing home staff, you may be able to recover compensation for the losses associated with their unlawful actions. At Feller & Wendt, we fight for the justice you deserve and work tirelessly to recover the maximum compensation you deserve for the suffering you have endured.
At Feller & Wendt, we are proud to offer an unmatched level of representation for clients affected by nursing home neglect and abuse. For over 30 years, we have built trusting relationships with clients, fighting for the justice they deserve with a 95% case success rate. For a no-cost consultation with a knowledgeable nursing home abuse lawyer, call us today at (801) 499-5060 or fill out our contact form.
