When a loved one’s health deteriorates to the point that they are no longer able to care for themselves, a well-staffed nursing home should be a safe place for them to get the care and attention they need. When you research elder care facilities, you naturally look for the facility that seems to provide the most attentive care.
Finding out a family member was abused or neglected in the place where they were supposed to be cared for can be such a devastating event for you, your parents, and your entire family. If your family is struggling with this unfortunate scenario, the first thing you will want to do is ensure your parent’s immediate health.
Contacting a nursing home neglect lawyer in Brookhaven, NY can help you hold the right people responsible for your loved one’s current condition. When you are ready to take action, call Gacovino, Lake & Associates, P.C. at (631) 600-0000 for a free consultation with attorneys near you today.
Common Forms of Nursing Home Abuse
When you choose an elder care facility for your family member, you never expect them to become victims of that facility. Sadly, like other elderly patients who are cared for in nursing homes, your loved one is vulnerable to a variety of different forms of abuse and neglect. In addition to overall neglect, some commonly seen forms of abuse include physical, emotional, and sexual abuse.
If you suspect the staff of your loved one’s nursing home is neglecting their needs, you may want to be on the lookout for signs and symptoms of elder abuse that include one or more of the following:
- Difficulty falling or staying asleep
- New episodes of depression
- Sudden, unexplained weight loss
- Signs of emotional distress or anxiety
- Sudden outbursts of anger or violence
- Unexplained emotional detachment
- Withdrawal from social activities
- Bed sores, cuts, scrapes, and bruises
- An unusually unkempt appearance
If you notice these or other signs of nursing home abuse or neglect in your parents or elderly relatives, nursing home neglect lawyers in Brookhaven, NY can offer compassionate legal guidance. Call Gacovino, Lake & Associates, P.C. at (631) 600-0000 to review your potential lawsuit today.
Long-Term Results of Nursing Home Neglect
When parents and other elderly relatives are neglected in nursing homes settings, it may cause a new medical crisis or negatively impact their existing health.
Many of the physical injuries that accompany nursing home abuse can be treated medically and will eventually heal. The emotional scars they experience are longer lasting and can make it extremely difficult for you or your family member to feel comfortable trusting new caregivers.
When your loved ones become victims of neglect, you need to take immediate action for their health, safety, and wellbeing. Once your parents are situated and any injuries have been treated, speak to an attorney as soon as you can. Nursing home neglect lawyers in Brookhaven, NY can help you prepare a claim against the nursing home and the people responsible for your family member’s suffering.
How the Law Supports Your Nursing Home Neglect Case
If you believe your parents have been abused, you naturally want to take immediate action. Did you know that if healthcare workers suspect your parents of being mistreated in their nursing home, they are also required by law to report their suspicions?
No matter how you become aware of your parent’s suffering, take action immediately. When you are focused on helping your loved ones recover from abuse, remember that you also need to gather evidence and file a claim before time runs out.
Nursing home neglect lawyers in Brookhaven, NY can help uncover the cause of your loved one’s neglect and help ensure your case is filed on time. Call Gacovino, Lake & Associates, P.C. at (631) 600-0000 to speak to nursing home neglect lawyers in Brookhaven, NY today.
Signs of a Substandard Nursing Home
When you are looking at nursing homes for a family member—especially if they were mistreated in their previous one—you might want to pay attention to certain signs that a facility is overwhelmed and may not be able to provide the individual care and attention your parents and elderly relatives deserve.
If nursing home staff members repeatedly have a difficult time answering straightforward questions or if the staff appears to be constantly frustrated and overworked, you may want to look elsewhere. Do not be afraid to ask about the facility’s employee turnover rate because a high turnover rate could indicate ongoing internal discord that will make it difficult for your loved one to bond with their caregivers.
If you notice repeated instances of unanswered phone calls and patient call buttons, it might indicate that a nursing home is understaffed, which can compromise patient care. If any of these signs present themselves during your visit, or if you start noticing them in your loved one’s current facility, do not be afraid to look elsewhere.
Nursing Home Neglect Lawyers in Brookhaven, NY Can Help You Get Justice
Few things can compare to the anxiety of learning your loved one suffered at the hands of the people you trusted with their daily care. When this happens, it can send you and your parents into an emotional tailspin—but there is help available.
Your parents deserve the best care available, and, if they did not receive it, you may have the foundation for a lawsuit. Contact Gacovino, Lake & Associates, P.C.at (631) 600-0000 today to speak to nursing home neglect lawyers in Brookhaven, NY. They can help you assign liability to the right parties and seek financial compensation on behalf of your family member.
