For many years, a lot of families shied away from using nursing homes and assisted living facilities. It was almost as if they were ashamed to have someone take care of their loved ones. Now that more people are living into their eighties and nineties, we need somewhere for them to go when we can no longer take care of them. That’s where nursing homes come in and unfortunately, it is also where Birmingham personal injury lawyers are needed.

There are so many options when it comes to nursing homes in Birmingham, Alabama. You don’t have to travel hundreds of miles from your home to see your loved one. When it comes time to look for somewhere to place your elderly parents, you want to do a few things:

• Visit the facility and make sure it is clean and cheerful looking
• Ask what the staff to resident ratio is
• Ask to taste the food and sample some of the social activities
• Ask a few residents how they like living there
• Ask your attorney to review their litigation history and see if they have been sued a lot for nursing home abuse

If a nursing home checks out, it may be the best solution for your loved one. You want to make sure that wherever you place your parents, they feel cared for and safe.

If you learn that your mom or dad has been the victim of nursing home abuse, you are going to be angry. You’re going to want justice. You’ll want someone to pay for what has happened to your parents.

This is where Birmingham nursing home abuse lawyers come into the picture. They have decades of experience filing claims against nursing homes. Whether your loved one is the victim of negligence or outright abuse, they will get you justice. Your lawyer will do what it takes to get you the compensation you deserve. Call Hare, Wynn, Newell & Newton, LLP to get a risk-free consultation from an experienced attorney who will seek justice for your loved ones.

Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers Know the Types of Abuse

Not all nursing home abuse is physical. There are many different types of nursing home abuse. Regardless of which type your loved one suffers from, you need a nursing home abuse attorney to protect your rights.

Some of the more common types of abuse that nursing home residents suffer include:

Sexual abuse

We hate to think that this could ever happen, but some patients are the victim of sexual abuse. This could be direct abuse at the hands of the staff or other residents. But it can also involve being forced to witness or listen to sexual activity of language by third parties.

Physical abuse

Sadly, some staff members get frustrated with residents and physically abuse them. They may punch, kick or roughly handle their patients.

Emotional abuse

Elderly patients are very sensitive. They need to be treated fairly or they may react worse than you or I would. Some nurses and aids yell at their patients or belittle them. This is considered abuse.

Verbal abuse

If the staff yell and scream at their residents, this is verbal abuse. This type of abuse can be just as harmful as any other kind of abuse. The elderly are a bit more fragile than other people. They already feel like they’re a burden on the people around them. The last thing they deserve is to be yelled and screamed at.

Neglect

At a minimum, we should be able to expect that our loved ones are being taken care of. When nursing staff doesn’t do their job, residents get hurt. They may suffer bedsores, infections or even poor hygiene.

Financial abuse

Although this type of abuse may not physically harm your family member, it is still wrong. Staff and other residents may steal your loved one’s money and belongings. This is considered financial exploitation. There have also been cases where employees somehow convince a resident to change their will to include them. This is nursing home abuse.

The good news is, there are ways to spot nursing home abuse. If you see any of the following signs and symptoms of nursing home abuse, you need to call a lawyer immediately.

Some of the signs of nursing home abuse include:

• Bruises and injuries
• Theft of personal belongings
• Under or overmedicating
• Emotional withdrawal
• Verbal complaints of abusive behavior
• Neglect such as bedsores or hygiene issues

These things don’t happen by accident. They’re a telltale sign that someone is not treating your loved one the way they should.

What is Nursing Home Neglect and How Can You Spot It?

One of the most common types of abuse is nursing home neglect. When you move your mom or dad into a nursing home, the whole point is that they’ll be taken care of. You know you can’t do it yourself. So you finally make the decision to rely on professionals to do this for you.

If nurses and aids did their jobs right, patients wouldn’t ever suffer from neglect. However, not everyone is in the nursing business for the right reasons. We think that nurses are compassionate. But some do not pay attention to the needs of their patients the way they should.

Some examples of nursing home neglect include:

Medical Neglect

There are fundamental duties of nursing care. You have to make sure your patients are provided with medical treatment if they’re sick or get hurt. You also have to check their vitals on schedule to make sure they’re okay. You also have to make sure they receive the right medications when they’re supposed to. When this doesn’t happen, you may need to call a law firm to intervene.

Neglect of basic needs

Your loved one has a right to be fed, clothed and cared for. If they’re not turned properly, they could get bedsores. If they’re not eating properly, they could lose weight or have nutritional issues. Patients in long term care need a lot more attention paid to them than you may think. There is a reason they’re in the nursing home and not living with family.

Hygiene neglect

This is the most basic form of neglect and the easiest to prevent. Patients need to be bathed and dressed every day. They have to be well-groomed and kept clean and fresh. When this doesn’t happen, you need to call a lawyer who specializes in injury law.

Social and emotional neglect

We hate to think of our mom or dad being ignored, but it happens more than you know. Aids and nurses, especially on the night shift, don’t pay enough attention to their residents. When this happens, residents can get anxious or depressed.

Your Birmingham nursing home abuse lawyers will fight to make sure the nursing home is held accountable. We’ll demand that your loved one be compensated for their injuries.

What Should You Do if You Suspect Abuse?

If you suspect that your loved one is being abused, you need to take a few steps. Your Birmingham nursing home lawyer is going to advise you to do the following:

• Move your loved one to a different facility immediately. Your lawyer can recommend a reputable home if need be. He can speak with their social worker and arrange for a transfer.
• Document your loved one’s injuries. Make sure you take pictures of any bruises or obvious injuries.
• Get documentation from the emergency room physicians of any injuries or illnesses.
• Let the nursing home administrator know that you’re aware of the abuse and that your loved one will not be returning to his facility.

Once you take these steps, you will need to file a personal injury suit against the nursing home. For this, you really need one of the Birmingham nursing home abuse lawyers at Hare, Wynn, Newell & Newton, LLP.

Contact a Birmingham Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer Today

If you suspect that your mom or dad is the victim of nursing home abuse, call and speak with a personal injury lawyer in Birmingham today. Every day your loved one stays in that nursing home is another day they’re at risk of being abused.

Your lawyer can help you get your family member moved to a different facility. They can also file a claim against the home right away. You don’t want to wait too long to do this. Your loved one may have to testify to the abuse. The longer you wait to do this, the lesser the chance that they’ll remember what happened.

Call and schedule a free consultation with one of the Birmingham nursing home abuse lawyers at Hare, Wynn, Newell & Newton, LLP today. We can review your case and let you know what it may be worth. We can also answer any questions you may have.

Although it’s your loved one who has a legal claim against the nursing home, you still want to come with them to the consultation. They have already suffered enough. It’s best that you stand by their side during the legal process.

Contact Hare, Wynn, Newell & Newton, LLP today. The consultation is free and you pay nothing until you settle your case.