Nursing home abuse and neglect are far more common than many of us would
like to believe. Understanding the cause behind this epidemic is critical
if we ever hope to reduce and eliminate its frequency of occurrence. If
you believe your elderly loved one is suffering from nursing home abuse
and neglect, it is imperative that you act quickly and seek skilled legal
representation to ensure the responsible party is held liable.
Below is a list of factors that heavily contribute to the abuse and neglect
of senior adults in nursing homes:
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Understaffing: When facilities are overwhelmingly understaffed, this means nurses are
spread thin, making it near impossible for each resident to receive the
proper care they need and deserve. Understaffing is one of the main causes
of both neglect and abuse. Accidents, especially falls, are common under
such circumstances, but can easily be prevented if the staff in a nursing
home facility were to attend to each resident as is necessary. When looking
for a nursing home for your elderly loved one, make sure you closely observe
the ratio of patients to staff.
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Immobility or illness: Neglect and abuse are both dangerous to the health and wellbeing of nursing
home residents. When an elderly resident is immobile or severely ill,
they might not be adequately cared for, which can lead to the development
of painful bedsores, decreased muscle tone, an increased risk of accidents,
and the further loss of mobility.
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Stress and exhaustion: When nursing homes are understaffed, those who are left caring for the
residents might begin to feel stressed, frustrated, and overworked. These
feelings can lead to an increased risk of resident abuse. For example,
a staff member who is stressed out might not be as attentive to the needs
of the residents they are meant to care for. The harm that staff members
cause might not even necessarily be intentional. In many cases, the neglect
and injuries they inflict might occur inadvertently. That said, the more
frustrated a caregiver is, the more likely it is that he or she will harm
the elderly person intentionally.
Regardless of why nursing home abuse or neglect occurs, if you suspect
your elderly loved one is suffering, you need to do what you can to put
a stop to the abuse or neglect, and take legal action. Seek the assistance
of a skilled personal injury attorney as soon as possible.
Nursing Home Abuse Attorney in Las Vegas
If your elderly loved one suffered abuse or neglect at the hands of nursing
home staff, you need to obtain skilled legal counsel to pursue the fair
and just compensation your family deserves during this difficult time.
At Shook & Stone in Las Vegas, our experienced team of
personal injury attorneys is dedicated to fighting on behalf of the wrongfully injured
and will do what is necessary to ensure the responsible party is held
accountable for their actions.
Get started on your personal injury case today and contact our law firm at
(888) 662-2013 to request your free initial case evaluation with one of our compassionate
and knowledgeable attorneys.