Protect Loved Ones with Omaha Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer
Your loved one’s nursing home must provide its residents with a high quality of life. You should have peace of mind that the staff members and medical professionals are providing them with the best care possible.
There are situations, however, where the nursing home facility doesn’t provide that level of care, and your loved one’s physical and mental well-being suffers because of it. If your loved one has been neglected to the level that they are left alone for an extended period or have injured themselves due to being left alone, this may be described as “abandonment.”
Nursing home abandonment is a serious concern because long-term care facilities are expected to care for, protect, and monitor residents properly. Residents are not always capable of taking care of themselves. Injury or even death may result when a resident is abandoned for hours or multiple occasions.
If your family member has suffered from abandonment in a nursing home, an Omaha nursing home abandonment lawyer from Welsh & Welsh can help you protect your loved one’s rights and get your family the compensation you deserve.
Nursing Home Abandonment Puts Seniors at Risk
Nursing home facilities employ several people. While most may be responsible healthcare providers or workers, some may take advantage of your loved one or fail to provide the best care possible. There may even be a case where one employee abuses nursing home residents, and the rest of the staff have no idea.
There is no excuse for your loved one to endure abuse and neglect. When a nursing home resident is left alone for sustained periods or not properly watched, this can also be detrimental to the resident’s health and lead to neglect or severe injury due to falling or wandering where they shouldn’t.
In skilled nursing facilities, the following staff members and employees are expected to care for residents properly and not abandon or neglect them:
Health Care Workers
- Licensed Practice Nurses, Registered Nurses, and Certified Nursing Assistants
- Doctors
- Therapists
Facility Workers
- Custodians
- Maintenance
- Human Resources
- Managers
- Accounting
- Groundskeepers
Causes of Nursing Home Abandonment
Fatigue is one of the main problems that can lead to nursing home abandonment. When a nurse or staff member is overworked and doesn’t get enough rest, they can easily make mistakes and leave elderly residents unattended.
A nurse could administer the wrong medication or dosage to their resident, which could cause injury or death. A maintenance worker could leave equipment on the floor, creating a tripping hazard. Fatigue doesn’t excuse putting seniors at risk. Nursing homes must have protocols and procedures in place to ensure their workers can care for their residents.
Another major issue when a nursing home is neglectful is falling. Seniors not getting the assistance they need may try to move independently. In a nursing home where residents aren’t seen regularly, it could be hours before someone discovers they’ve fallen. For those who are on certain medications or have sustained a head injury, this could be fatal because they need immediate care.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), one out of five falls will break a bone or cause a head injury. Every year, over 800,000 patients in the hospital are recovering from a head or hip injury caused by a fall. Seniors take longer to heal, and significant injuries like this risk the chance of infection. If the senior has a compromised immune system, they will have an even more difficult time healing.
Unfortunately, those who do fall often develop a fear of falling again. This could deter seniors from wanting to exercise or move regularly, which puts them at even more risk of falling because their muscles aren’t getting used and will weaken.
While a fall can cause devastating injuries, it can also result in death. If you suspect your loved one died because of nursing home negligence, Welsh & Welsh has skilled wrongful death lawyers who can help you.
What Can You Do If Your Loved One Is Abused?
You may feel like you’re the only one looking out for your loved one’s care, but more people are on your side than you think. The Nebraska Department of Health & Human Services (DHHS) states that the following people are mandated reporters. This means that they are required by state law to report abuse they witness or suspect.
- Physicians
- Nurses
- Medical Professionals, Medical Assistants
- Mental Health Professionals
- Law Enforcement
- Caregivers
- Sheltered Workshop Employees
- Human Services
- DHHS Employees
If you find that your loved one is being abused or neglected and no one has come forward or made a report, you can make one to the Nebraska DHHS. You also don’t have to worry about retaliation from the suspected abuser or your loved one finding out you made the report. Your information is confidential. The only people who may get your name are law enforcement or the DHHS.
If your loved one has been neglected or abandoned in a nursing home, an Omaha nursing home abandonment lawyer from Welsh & Welsh can help you protect their rights and get them the compensation they deserve. Our experienced attorneys will work closely with you to understand your situation and develop a legal strategy that best suits your needs.
The Role of a Nursing Home Abandonment Lawyer
Engaging a nursing home abandonment lawyer is crucial in securing justice for your elderly loved one who has suffered neglect or abuse in a nursing home. At Welsh & Welsh, our skilled Omaha attorneys are committed to ensuring that negligent nursing homes are held accountable for their actions. Our legal process involves a comprehensive approach that includes the following:
- Initial Assessment and Case Review: We start by thoroughly analyzing the circumstances of your case. This involves reviewing all relevant nursing home records, medical reports, and any evidence of neglect or abandonment.
- Gathering Evidence of Neglect or Abandonment: Our team works diligently to gather substantial evidence that confirms the neglect or abandonment. This could include photographs of injuries, statements from witnesses, medical records indicating a lack of care, and documentation of the resident’s mental and physical health.
- Legal Strategies Tailored to Nursing Home Cases: Our lawyers craft legal strategies tailored to nursing home neglect cases. We understand the intricacies of these cases and use this knowledge to build a strong case that makes the best possible case for compensation for your loved one.
- Mediation and Negotiation: We understand that going to court is a lengthy and emotionally draining process for both parties. To avoid the cost and stress of litigation, we can enter into mediation or negotiations with the nursing home to reach a satisfactory agreement for all involved.
- Trial: We will take your case to trial if a settlement or agreement cannot be reached. Our attorneys have the experience and resources necessary to present a compelling argument on behalf of your loved one.
Elder abuse should not be tolerated. If you suspect your loved one is being neglected or abandoned in a nursing home, don’t hesitate to contact an experienced Omaha nursing home abandonment lawyer at Welsh & Welsh for help. Our lawyers have the experience and resources necessary to get justice.
Contact an Experienced Omaha Nursing Home Abandonment Lawyer
You deserve to know that your family members live in a healthy environment where they can thrive. When they are in a dangerous environment threatening their health, your priority is to get them somewhere safe. Then you can seek justice on your loved one’s behalf with one of our Omaha nursing home abuse lawyers.
Welsh & Welsh law firm will hold the negligent party responsible for their actions. We will do everything possible to get your loved one the compensation they deserve. Contact our office today and schedule a free consultation to discuss your case.
