You placed enormous trust in nursing home staff to protect a loved one who can no longer fully care for themselves. It is devastating when that trust is broken. You may feel guilty for not catching the abuse sooner, angry at the facility, and uncertain about what to do next.
These are normal responses to one of the most vile acts a caregiver can commit. Nursing homes and their staff who abuse the residents in their care are liable both criminally and civilly. Our Henderson nursing home abuse lawyers can help you get justice.
Our legal team at Sweet James has experience helping injury victims for over 25 years. We deliver personalized service focused on you. Call now to schedule a free consultation and learn how our Nevada nursing home abuse lawyers can help you and your loved one.
What Are the Signs of Nursing Home Abuse?
Because most forms of nursing home abuse are hidden by staff or the facility, it can be tough to know what to look for. Signs of nursing home abuse can appear as physical injuries, behavioral changes, or declines in a resident’s overall condition:
- Unexplained bruises, cuts, fractures, burns, or frequent falls could be signs of physical abuse or neglect.
- Bedsores, sudden weight loss, dehydration, poor hygiene, and untreated medical conditions can indicate inadequate care.
- Emotional abuse may cause withdrawal, depression, anxiety, fearfulness around certain staff members, or sudden changes in mood and behavior.
- Financial abuse may involve missing personal belongings, unusual bank transactions, or unauthorized changes to financial documents.
Families should also pay attention to frequent infections, medication errors, and unexplained hospitalizations. Staffing shortages and inadequate supervision can also contribute to resident harm. If you suspect abuse, reach out to our nursing home abuse lawyers for guidance.
Who Can Be Held Liable for Nursing Home Abuse Injuries?
Liability for nursing home abuse injuries may extend beyond the individual caregiver who directly caused harm:
- Nursing home employees can be held responsible for abusive conduct, neglectful actions, or failures to provide necessary care.
- Supervisors and administrators may also bear responsibility if they ignored complaints, failed to address safety concerns, or permitted dangerous conditions to continue.
- The nursing home itself may be liable for negligent hiring practices, inadequate staff training, poor supervision, understaffing, or policies that contributed to resident injuries.
- Corporate entities that own or operate the facility may also face liability when management decisions create unsafe conditions.
- In some situations, third–party contractors can be responsible for harm involving medical care, therapy services, security, maintenance, or other services provided within the facility.
Identifying every responsible party is often necessary to fully address the harm suffered by the resident. Our personal injury lawyers can investigate your concerns and discover what is really happening and who is responsible.
What Compensation Can Victims of Nursing Home Abuse Recover?
Victims of nursing home abuse may recover compensation for losses directly related to the abuse or neglect. Medical expenses are often a significant part of a claim and may include hospital treatment, rehabilitation, and future medical needs resulting from the injuries.
Compensation may address physical pain, emotional distress, mental anguish, loss of dignity, and diminished quality of life. Families may also recover certain financial losses connected to the abuse, including losses caused by financial exploitation.
When a resident dies because of nursing home abuse or neglect, surviving family members may have the right to pursue damages through a wrongful death claim. Our Henderson personal injury lawyers can help you seek maximum compensation.
What Should You Do if You Suspect Nursing Home Abuse?
Our Henderson nursing home abuse attorneys can offer advice on what to do if you suspect nursing home abuse. Focus first on your loved one’s safety. Seek immediate medical attention if there are signs of injury, illness, or other health concerns, and:
- Document anything that appears unusual. Keep copies of medical records, photographs, correspondence, and notes about conversations with staff members.
- Report your concerns to facility management and request explanations regarding the incidents or conditions you observed.
- You may also report suspected abuse or neglect to the Bureau of Health Care Quality and Compliance under the Nevada Department of Health and Human Services.
- Contact our nursing home abuse lawyers in Henderson. Our team can conduct an independent investigation and assess whether abuse or neglect contributed to your loved one’s injuries.
Talk to Our Henderson Nursing Home Abuse Attorneys
Families often fail to discover nursing home abuse because much of it happens behind closed doors. Residents may have memory loss or medical conditions that prevent them from reporting the mistreatment. It is understandable if you feel guilty, but you are not to blame.
Nursing homes and their staff have a legal obligation to provide the best care possible for their residents. Abuse and neglect are never acceptable in any form. Our Henderson nursing home abuse attorneys can hold the abusers financially accountable for their misconduct.
You do not have to accept the facility’s version of events. You can take action, but you don’t have to do it alone. Our team at Sweet James is ready to stand up for your loved one and your family. Call today to schedule your free consultation and tell us what happened.
Sweet James Accident Attorneys
Henderson Office Location
2920 North Green Valley Parkway,
Ste 314, Henderson, NV
