Older members of our community are placed in nursing homes to receive daily supervision and care for their medical condition, basic medical needs, supervision, therapy and/or and activities of daily living. However, there are cases when elderly patients do not receive proper care or are the subject of abuse, which can cause injury or death.
Nursing home negligence occurs when patients or residents of an assisted living facility suffer physical and/or emotional harm due to the actions or inaction of the medical or nursing staff. While some cases may not be intentional, severe injuries and even fatalities can still happen due to oversight or negligent care.
If you have a family member or loved one that has been harmed in a nursing facility, you can work with an attorney that specializes in nursing home abuse and neglect nursing home abuse attorney to hold the facility accountable.
What is the Harm Caused by Nursing Home Negligence or Abuse?
Negligent care or abusive conduct can cause physical and emotional harm, and in many cases, can cause a nursing home patient or resident to suffer and die. This can be caused by the failure to properly assess a patient and develop the appropriate care plan. Failing to take these basic steps could lead to a lack of nutrition, hydration, medication or treatment. This can also come from a lack of care by the nursing staff.
The same effects can occur if staff members fail to assist a patient or resident with mobility challenges. Without the proper assessment, oversight and support, patients and residents can be injured by falls.
Intentional conduct intended to punish a patient or resident or otherwise cause them harm is also actionable.
What are the Common Signs of Nursing Home Negligence?
If you notice changes in your family member’s body or behavior, it could be the result of negligence or abuse. The following signs may indicate that a resident experiences a lack of nursing home assistance:
- Weight loss or gain
- Malnutrition or dehydration
- Poor personal hygiene
- Unexplained bruising, bedsores or infections
- Abrupt changes in personality or behavior, which may include fits of anger, self-harm, isolation, lack of interest in personal hygiene, anxiety, or depression
- Severe medical issues due to the lack of proper medication
Hire a Nursing Home Abuse Attorney in Delaware or Maryland
If you have a family member or loved one who has experienced physical or emotional harm in a nursing facility, please reach out to a trusted nursing home abuse attorney in Delaware. Schedule an appointment with Baird Mandalas Brockstedt Federico & Cardea. Our team has decades worth of experience and we will fight to hold the nursing facility accountable and obtain compensation for any harm.