It seems unfair that at the end of our life we begin to depend more heavily on others. When we consider our elderly loved ones, they deserve quality care. Unfortunately, some nursing homes fail to give our loved ones the care they deserve.
If your loved one is showing signs of abuse or neglect, you need to consult a Buffalo nursing home negligence attorney as soon as possible. The compassionate Buffalo personal injury lawyers of Towey Law, PLLC can help advise you on the best course of action to protect those you love. Call our offices and speak to a nursing home negligence lawyer today. You can contact us by calling (716) 300-8232.
Why Choose Towey Law For Your Nursing Home Negligence Lawyer?
After an act of negligence or carelessness that results in personal injury to you or those you love, turn to the attorneys of Towey Law PLLC for the representation you need:
- Our free consultations can be conducted in person, over the phone, or by video conference.
- We are results-driven and have successfully recovered over a million in damages for our clients in Buffalo personal injury cases.
- When you need to speak directly with your attorney, our nursing home abuse attorneys provide open and responsive communication.
Why You Need a Nursing Home Negligence Lawyer in Buffalo, New York
Abuse in nursing homes routinely goes unreported. If your loved ones are showing signs of neglect or abuse, please report your suspicions as soon as possible.
In many cases, reports are not addressed quickly, allowing bedsores and bruises to clear up by the time a follow-up is conducted. Additionally, older generations tend to have fragile skin. Scrapes and bruises may have come from other sources and are not enough to prove abuse. A nursing home negligence attorney can pressure the facility to act promptly before evidence disappears.
Our dedicated legal team will conduct a thorough investigation to bring liable parties to justice. We will fight for the rights of your loved one and recover the damages you deserve.
If you believe your loved one is being neglected, call Towey Law, PLLC today.
Common Types of Nursing Home Negligence
Nursing home negligence can take many forms, and not all of them involve intentional abuse. In many situations, residents suffer harm because a facility fails to provide the level of care required to keep them safe and healthy. Unfortunately, elderly individuals are often unable to advocate for themselves, making them particularly vulnerable when caregivers fail to meet their responsibilities.
Some of the most common examples of nursing home negligence include inadequate supervision, medication errors, poor hygiene, malnutrition, dehydration, and the failure to prevent falls. Residents may also suffer injuries when staff members fail to respond promptly to medical emergencies or neglect to follow the physician’s instructions regarding treatment and care plans.
Bedsores are another common indicator of neglect. These painful wounds can develop when residents are left in the same position for extended periods without proper assistance. In many cases, bedsores are entirely preventable when appropriate care is provided.
Whether negligence results from understaffing, inadequate training, poor management, or simple carelessness, nursing homes have a responsibility to protect residents from avoidable harm.
Who Can Be Held Liable for Nursing Home Negligence?
Determining liability in a nursing home negligence case is not always straightforward. While an individual caregiver may have directly caused the harm, responsibility often extends beyond a single employee.
The nursing home itself may be liable if it failed to properly train employees, conduct inadequate background checks, or maintain unsafe staffing levels. Administrators and management companies may also share responsibility if their decisions contributed to the conditions that allowed neglect to occur.
In some cases, third-party contractors may be involved. Medical providers, therapists, maintenance companies, and other outside entities sometimes provide services within nursing homes. If their actions contributed to a resident’s injuries, they may also be held accountable.
Identifying all potentially liable parties is important because it helps ensure that victims and their families pursue compensation from every responsible source. A thorough investigation is often necessary to uncover the full extent of the negligence and determine who should be held accountable.
What Should You Do if You Suspect Nursing Home Negligence?
If you suspect that a loved one is being neglected or abused in a nursing home, it is important to act quickly. Delaying action can allow conditions to worsen and may make it more difficult to preserve evidence of what occurred.
Begin by documenting your concerns. Take photographs of visible injuries, unsafe conditions, or anything else that appears unusual. Keep records of conversations with staff members and make note of any changes in your loved one’s physical condition, behavior, or emotional well-being.
You should also seek appropriate medical attention if your loved one appears injured or ill. Independent medical evaluations can sometimes reveal signs of neglect that may not be immediately obvious.
Depending on the circumstances, it may be appropriate to report your concerns to nursing home administrators, state agencies, or law enforcement authorities. Reporting suspected negligence can help protect your loved one and potentially prevent harm to other residents.
An attorney can help evaluate the situation, preserve evidence, and determine whether legal action may be appropriate.
How Nursing Home Negligence Often Goes Undetected
One of the most troubling aspects of nursing home negligence is that it frequently goes unnoticed for extended periods of time. Many residents are reluctant to report problems because they fear retaliation or worry that speaking up will result in worse treatment.
Others may be unable to communicate effectively due to cognitive impairments, dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, or other medical conditions. As a result, family members may be the first people to recognize that something is wrong.
Negligence can also be difficult to identify because some symptoms resemble the natural effects of aging. Weight loss, confusion, bruising, and reduced mobility may be attributed to existing health conditions rather than neglect. Nursing homes may sometimes offer explanations that initially appear reasonable, causing family members to overlook warning signs.
Regular visits, open communication, and careful observation can help families identify potential issues before they become more serious. Paying attention to changes in appearance, behavior, cleanliness, and overall health may reveal concerns that warrant further investigation.
By remaining vigilant and addressing concerns promptly, families can play an important role in protecting vulnerable loved ones from preventable harm.
How Prevalent Is Nursing Home Abuse and Negligence?
While experts largely believe instances of nursing home negligence go unreported, the National Center on Elder Abuse has conducted a study to bring awareness to the problem. According to their evidence:
- 11.6 percent of residents experience physical abuse.
- 4.6 percent experience some form of emotional abuse.
- 2.6 percent experience financial abuse.
- 9 percent suffer sexual abuse.
- 4.2 percent are subjected to neglect.
If you have an elderly loved one in the care of a nursing home, it is crucial that you become aware of the signs of abuse and neglect.
What Are the Signs of Nursing Home Negligence?
Nursing home negligence is tragic. Some signs of neglect and abuse are more difficult to distinguish than others. Our nursing home abuse and negligence attorneys watch for the following signs when investigating a claim:
- Reluctance to speak about the staff or in their presence
- Heavy sedation
- Bedsores
- Malnutrition
- Dehydration
- Unexplained cuts or bruises
- Infections
- Rapid weight loss
- Becoming emotionally and visibly agitated
- Unusual and sudden changes in behavior, including fear of being touched, sucking, biting, rocking
- In severe cases of abuse, head trauma, and broken or fractured bones
- Frequently ill
- Unsanitary conditions
Contact a Buffalo Nursing Home Negligence Attorney Today
Our elderly loved ones deserve respect and safety. If you suspect a loved one has been neglected or abused by a nursing home staff member or volunteer, please call Towey Law, PLLC, today. Our nursing home negligence attorneys have the skills and dedication to secure the damages you and your family deserve, including:
- Full coverage of medical expenses related to the abuse
- Pain and suffering damages
- Loss of enjoyment of life damages
- Relocation expenses
- Possible punitive damages
If a death has resulted due to such negligence, be sure to reach out to our Buffalo wrongful death attorneys today.
Schedule a free consultation with Towey Law, PLLC today by clicking here or calling (716) 300-8232. Our compassionate and experienced legal team is here for you.