Johnstown Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer
There is an expectation that elderly patients will be treated with dignity and looked after physically and mentally in a nursing home. When facilities fail to meet this standard, they may be guilty of elderly abuse.
If you have a loved one in a care facility and suspect abuse, consider speaking to a Johnstown nursing home abuse lawyer about the circumstances of your case. A dedicated attorney could help act to rectify the situation and, if necessary, file a lawsuit seeking compensation for the personal injuries your loved one suffered.
Understanding Nursing Home Abuse
Elder abuse is generally defined as an act or omission, whether knowing, intentional, or negligent by a facility caregiver, resident, or third-party that causes harm or threatens the well-being of a susceptible adult. Facilities can vary in terms of the range of medical care and services offered to residents. As a result, abuse can take several forms including:
- Neglect or abandonment
- Physical abuse
- Emotional or psychological abuse
- Sexual abuse
- Financial exploitation
Neglect or abandonment can overlap with physical and emotional abuse. If a patient is not receiving the care they need, they may also suffer physically and emotionally.
Financial exploitation may take the form of theft, blackmailing, or unexplained depletion of funds. Since elderly patients may rely on caregivers and may experience cognitive decline, they are vulnerable to financial abuse.
Signs of Nursing Home Abuse
Identifying Johnstown nursing home abuse can be difficult. Patients experiencing harm may try to conceal it out of fear of retaliation. The following are some symptoms to watch for.
- Unexplained falls
- Bruises, cuts, scratches, or broken bones
- Bedsores and ulcer formation
- Rapid weight loss
- Sudden change in hygiene
- Social reclusion or unwillingness to see visitors
- Injuries caused by restraints or lack of restraints
Colorado Nursing Home Agency Complaints and Lawsuits
Colorado state agencies regularly inspect nursing homes to ensure patient rights, building and equipment safety and compliance, and quality of care. These visits or surveys are unannounced. Government overseers review patient records, interview patients or family members, and inspect facilities.
Yet, transgressions happen despite the agency’s best efforts to supervise nursing home quality. A concerned family member could speak to an ombudsman, or patients’ rights advocate to discuss their concerns. Another avenue is filing a complaint with the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.
The agency will follow up on any complaint with an investigation and a written summary of their findings. They may issue a citation if there is a deficient practice that must be corrected.
Another recourse is to file a lawsuit alleging negligence on the part of the care facility. In an elder abuse case, negligence means that a care facility has failed to provide a patient with reasonable care and treatment for one or more of the above reasons. Further, this treatment or neglect has directly caused patient harm.
A Johnstown nursing home abuse lawyer could help review the facts, gather evidence, and bring a lawsuit on behalf of the loved one who has suffered. One advantage of hiring an attorney is that they have access to a network of expert witnesses who may be pivotal to proving an elder abuse case.
Get in Touch with A Johnstown Nursing Home Abuse Attorney Right Away
Your loved one’s well-being is of utmost importance. Worrying about their welfare can induce stress and anxiety. A lawyer could understand the situation you face and advise you on the most suitable course of action.
No older person should have to suffer the indignity of maltreatment or neglect. Get in touch with a Johnstown nursing home abuse lawyer today to discuss your loved one’s case.
