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Types of Neglect in Nursing Homes

A Mobile, AL Law Firm You Can Trust To Fight For Your Loved One

Common Types Of Neglect In Nursing Homes

When you put your loved one in a nursing home, you expected that he or she would be cared for. Sadly, for too many Alabama families, that’s not the case. Neglect is a huge problem in nursing homes in our country, and too many elderly and vulnerable people are injured or sick because of it. The nursing home neglect attorneys at Braswell Murphy, LLC stand up for victims and their families.

Common Nursing Home Abuse Injuries

Nursing home abuse can come in many different forms. Some of the most common – and often most serious – forms of nursing home abuse include:

  • Physical abuse (including hitting or assaulting residents)
  • Physically restraining residents
  • Shaking residents
  • Verbal abuse
  • Sexual assault
  • Force-feeding residents
  • Denying residents food or water as punishment

These are just some of the most common types of nursing home abuse. There are many other kinds of abuse and all of them demand strong legal action.

What to Look For

Basic needs neglect: Nursing homes are responsible for making sure residents get food, drink and other basic needs met. Neglect can result in a resident becoming dehydrated or malnourished, which can lead to other health problems, as well.

Personal hygiene neglect: One of the most important tasks that nursing homes have to perform is helping residents bathe, change their clothes and otherwise maintain personal hygiene. Failure to meet this need can lead to infections.

Medical neglect: People who live in nursing homes need to take all of their medications and undergo routine medical treatments per their doctors’ orders. Additionally, nursing homes have a responsibility to provide residents with timely medical care for any emerging issues. We’ve represented people who, for example, had broken bones that went untreated for days, or infections that became septic because the resident was not treated in time.

Negligent supervision: Elderly people who are in nursing homes are there in part because they can’t always be safe on their own. They may become confused and wander into the community, trip and fall, or otherwise get hurt if they are not properly supervised.

Negligent security: Like any other business, nursing homes are required to keep their premises safe and secure. When the premises are not secure, residents are vulnerable to physical or sexual assault. Whether an act of assault is committed by another resident, a visitor or a trespasser, the nursing home has a responsibility to take steps to protect residents.

Emotional neglect: Not all forms of neglect result in physical injury. Nursing homes also have a responsibility to make sure that residents’ emotional, mental and social needs are met. Otherwise, residents can develop depression, anxiety and other issues.

Proving that a loved one was neglected in a nursing home can be difficult, especially because residents may have a hard time remembering or articulating what happened. That’s why it’s so important to talk to an experienced nursing home neglect attorney at our law firm. We know how to review documents, analyze evidence and find out what happened to your loved one. If the nursing home’s negligence was the cause of an illness or injury, we will fight to hold them accountable.

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