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Don’t ignore signs of nursing home neglect

When you put your loved one in a Virginia nursing home or other long-term care facility, you expect them to be cared for with respect and dignity.

When you begin to suspect that those human rights are being neglected, it makes you angry and hurt. If you believe a loved one might be the victim of nursing home abuse or neglect, you may be able to sue for damages.

Tronfeld West & Durrett are local attorneys who work hard to protect the dignity and rights of your family and loved ones. We are familiar with the red flags that could point to elder abuse or neglect.

Ask yourself the following questions, and if you are not satisfied with the answers, contact an experienced Virginia medical malpractice attorney at 1-800-321-6741 today to discuss your legal options.

Are basic needs being met?
If your loved one is living in a nursing home or other long-term care facility, they may need help with every day tasks, such as bathing, eating and getting dressed. They may need help going to the bathroom or turning over in bed.

It is the responsibility of the facility to make sure these basic needs are being met.

Signs that basic needs are being neglected could include:

• - Bed sores
• - Gangrene
• - Malnourishment
• - Dehydration
• - Unsanitary living conditions
• - Infection

Are they getting adequate supervision?
If someone you love has managed to wander off while in a nursing home or been injured by another resident, these may be signs of neglect. Or, if your loved one is frequently ill, but it takes the caregiver an unusually long time to report the illness to a doctor or family member, that may be a sign that the caregiver is not paying close enough attention to those in his or her care.

Other causes for concern could include rapid weight loss or weight gain without prompt physician or family notification, any broken bones, a fractured hip or any other accident requiring hospitalization. While these occurrences may not always be caused by neglect, it's a good idea to check them out just to be safe.

Can the caretaker answer your questions?
Accidents do happen, and your family member's caretaker will not be able to avoid every mishap. The occasional bed-wetting, for example, is no reason for alarm.

The caretaker might not be present in the room every moment of the day, but he or she should be near enough to be able to quickly answer a call for help. If an accident does occur, the caretaker should be able to provide a plausible explanation of what happened and why it was not prevented.

Most importantly, this should NOT be a frequent occurrence.

If your loved one frequently has cuts, sores or injuries that your caretaker cannot explain, that should be a red flag for you. Or, if your family member wandered outside of the facility and was missing for some time, you have a right to be concerned and demand further investigation.

Is your family member being given the right medication?
Medication mishaps are alarmingly common in nursing homes, but most people think little of it. After all, the staff has dozens of clients and numerous drugs to keep track of on a daily basis, so it's easy to understand why they might make a mistake.

Don't give in so easily. Medication mishaps are a serious issue and can result in severe injury or even death to your loved one. A medication overdose, a missed medication, wrong drug given or switch in treatment without your knowledge may also be a sign of neglect.

Are there signs of abuse?
While neglect is often unintentional, there are, unfortunately, cases in which abuse in nursing homes is an issue. Disrespect for the elderly, physically or mentally impaired is more common than we'd like to think.

Signs of elder abuse include:

• - Unexplained bruises or welts
• - Unreasonable physical restraint by a health care giver
• - Slapping, pushing, shaking or beating
• - Sedation

If your loved one complains of being mistreated, take them seriously. Look into the situation yourself and determine if they are being cared for in a proper manner.

What about wrongful death?
If your loved one has recently died, you are likely battling a multitude of emotions. Particularly if their death was unexpected or sudden, you may be confused, hurt and angry. You may be wondering if the caretaker is at fault or could have done something to prevent the death.

If your family member's caregiver cannot adequately explain the cause of death, your suspicions could very well be correct. If you believe that neglect or abuse could have contributed to your loved one's death, you should contact an experienced wrongful death attorney to discuss your rights.

At Tronfeld West & Durrett, we believe in respect and dignity toward the elderly and physically or mentally impaired. We will uphold your family member's rights and make sure you and your family are well compensated for any heartache caused by another's neglect or abuse.

Call us today at 1-800-321-6741 for a free consultation. We have offices conveniently located in your neighborhood, whether in Richmond, Petersburg or Chesterfield.

Library Articles and Case Results

SPECIFIC CASE RESULTS DEPEND UPON A VARIETY OF FACTORS UNIQUE TO EACH CASE. PAST SUCCESSFUL CASE RESULTS DO NOT GUARANTEE OR PREDICT FUTURE RESULTS.

Library for Nursing Home Abuse & Neglect:

• $200,000.00 settlement - Cause of nursing home fall,broken femur disputed [PDF]   
• Why gangrene is a serious concern   
  If you believe a loved one’s gangrene was caused by elder abuse or neglect, you may have a medical malpractice lawsuit. To talk to an experienced nursing home neglect attorney, call Tronfeld West & Durrett at 1-800-321-6741.
• How to recognize nursing home abuse or neglect   
• What information does the nursing home have to give me?   

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Frequent Questions for Nursing Home Abuse & Neglect:

• My loved one was recently placed in a nursing home. What are some signs of abuse to be aware of?
• What is a nursing home negligence claim?
• What damages are recoverable in a nursing home case?
• Are there time limitations or deadlines for a nursing home claim?

Case Results for Nursing Home Abuse & Neglect:

• Cause of nursing home fall, broken femur disputed

Awarded: $200,000

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