Las Vegas Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers
Shook & Stone is committed to achieving results for our clients
In Nevada, nursing home abuse and neglect is very much a reality today as it is in the rest of the nation. Unfortunately, it is a common occurrence in nursing facilities to fail to provide adequate care for its elderly residents. In addition, nursing home residents are often subject to physical, emotional, and even sexual abuse. If you believe a family member has been abused or neglected at a nursing home in Nevada, it is in your best interest to consult with an experienced Las Vegas personal injury attorney to examine the legal options available to you to hold negligent parties accountable for their actions.
Detecting Nevada Nursing Home Abuse
Many incidents of nursing home abuse and neglect in Nevada are not reported because they go undetected. Some families are embarrassed to report these incidents and others fear retaliation against their loved one and their family. There are several telltale signs of abuse and neglect at nursing facilities in Nevada and it is important to be aware of them. Indications of abuse and neglect include but are not limited to:
- Bloody clothes and bleeding: Sexual abuse is a rare but traumatic reality for some nursing home residents, and these are signals your loved one may be suffering.
- Bruises: Elderly people are more prone to bruises, but those under full-time care should be protected from most bruises and injuries. A bruise on someone’s elbow may be a sign they are being handled roughly by nursing home staff. Bruises on someone’s legs may be signs unnecessary restraint has been used.
- Chemical restraint: Many Nevada nursing homes tend to excessively drug patients, especially those suffering some dementia. Chemical restraint is a way for nursing facilities to subdue dementia patients who may become hostile or aggressive with staff. However, these drugs have the potential to harm patients as they have significant side effects.
- Lack of hygiene: When a resident’s room or clothes are dirty, it may mean the patient is being neglected and not taken care of properly. Nursing homes should ensure their residents’ rooms are clean, as are their clothes and person.
- Pressure sores/bedsores: Bedridden patients need to be moved every couple of hours or bedsores will form, which can be incredibly painful and even fatal. When an elderly person has multiple bedsores that are not improving, it could be a sign of neglect.
- Slip-and-fall accidents: Falling is a common problem for many seniors, but care facilities should provide adequate walking assistance, rails, and ramps to ensure its residents do not suffer unnecessary injury.
- Unexplained injuries: When an injury occurs at a nursing home in Nevada, there should be an extensive report and an investigation into why the injury occurred. When a loved one’s injuries are noticeable and you are not given a clear explanation, there may be a problem.
- Weight loss: Nursing care facilities are required to provide adequate nutrition to residents. When a patient is suffering from weight loss and malnutrition, it could be a sign of serious neglect.
Steps to Take if You Suspect Nursing Home Abuse in Nevada
If you suspect your loved one is suffering from abuse or neglect at a nursing home in Nevada, you should file a report with nursing home administrators immediately. You can also file a report with the state's ombudsman. If you fail to get any type of response from nursing home administrators or the ombudsman, it would be in your best interest to seek the counsel of an experienced Nevada nursing home abuse lawyer at the law offices of Shook & Stone. We have a successful track record of obtaining fair compensation for victims of nursing home abuse in Nevada. Call us today at 1-702-385-2220 to schedule your free initial confidential consultation.
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