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Free ConsultationWe call on nursing homes to take care of our loved ones. We choose homes that seem trustworthy. Unfortunately, sometimes we find that trust betrayed and our vulnerable family members suffer for it. If your family member is neglected, abused or even killed in their care facility, the Philadelphia nursing home abuse lawyers at Lowenthal & Abrams, Injury Attorneys wants to help.
What Is Nursing Home Abuse?
The word abuse sometimes confuses people because they believe it means the harm must be intentional, but this isn’t so. Nursing home abuse is intentional or negligent harm to a resident of a home or long-term care facility. The most common form of abuse is pressure sores (bed sores). These sores occur in stages, meaning they begin with a small, reddish mark and can turn into major wounds that literally form holes in the body. The second most common type of nursing home abuse involves falls. Long-term care facilities in Philadelphia are required to assess the risk of falls in their residents, and to take steps to protect them. Other types of nursing home abuse in Philadelphia include:
- Failure to provide enough fluids – leading to dehydration
- Failure to provide enough food or make certain the resident is eating properly – resulting in malnutrition
- Physical or sexual abuse by staff members
- Use of restraints to keep the person under control
- Improper use of medication to keep the person under control
- Failing to keep the resident from wandering off (also called elopement)
- Mental or emotional abuse
- Medication errors – providing the wrong kind of medication, the wrong dosage, or failing to notice an incorrect combination of medication
Any of these forms of nursing home abuse can cause psychological trauma, physical harm or even death. If you believe that your elderly loved one suffered any of these forms of abuse or neglect at their nursing home, speak with one of our Philadelphia attorneys.
Why Does Nursing Home Abuse Occur?
As nursing homes become busier and focus on the bottom line, they might fail to provide training or hire the right number of staff. As Philadelphia attorney Anita Pitock explains, this frequently leads to abuse and neglect in nursing homes. If you suspect that someone you know is suffering from nursing home abuse or neglect you should:
- Make certain the person is safe.
- Report the abuse to the head of the nursing home.
- Report the abuse.
- Contact Lowenthal & Abrams, Injury Attorneys
Contact a Philadelphia Nursing Home Abuse Attorney
The head of our nursing home abuse department, Anita Pitock, is a nurse and attorney. She is passionate about the safety of residents in long term care facilities and is focused on helping victims of nursing home abuse in the area.
Abuse of the elderly in nursing homes is unacceptable. If you believe that your family member is suffering neglect or abuse, it is crucial that you get help right away. Contact the Philadelphia nursing home abuse lawyers at Lowenthal & Abrams, Injury Attorneys, P.C., today.
