Nursing Home Abuse

Let Us Investigate Your Nursing Home Abuse or Neglect Claim

by admin@gotechark.com | December 19th, 2022

The mere thought of your loved one being mistreated, let alone abused or neglected, while living in their nursing home is horrifying. Unfortunately, that’s reality for countless residents every year in the U.S., including right here in Virginia. Nursing homes are profit-focused, and that means they understaff and hire inexperienced workers they can pay less, both of which are major risk factors for resident abuse and neglect.

As Virginia nursing home abuse lawyers, we know that many families are often in denial about what’s happening to their loved ones. After all, nursing homes are typically very expensive, and they often have long wait lists just to secure a room. Their exclusivity and monthly costs make it seem like abuse and neglect are unlikely or even impossible, but they happen more often than you might expect.

If you have even an inkling that your loved one may be abused or neglected in their nursing home, it’s important to contact a lawyer right away. At Lowell Stanley Injury Lawyers, we can review the facts of what happened to your loved one, whether it was unexplained bruises, sudden weight loss, dehydration, bedsores, or any other startling change in health to determine if abuse or neglect are occurring.

When we determine that a resident’s rights are being violated, we waste no time in building strong claims for them and their families. It’s our goal to ensure that victims and their loved ones get maximum compensation for something as heinous as the abuse and neglect of a nursing home resident. Contact us today for a free consultation to get our experienced legal team on your side.

We Help Protect Nursing Home Residents’ Rights

by admin@gotechark.com | September 5th, 2022

Nursing home administrators and staff members are supposed to take good care of their residents. Not only do residents and their families pay large amounts of money every month to ensure they’re well taken care of, but nursing home residents are also granted many rights via state law in Virginia.

The rights that nursing home residents are granted in Virginia are extensive, and they must be known and followed at all times by nursing home administrators and staff members. Unfortunately, that doesn’t always happen.

When nursing home residents’ rights are disregarded or violated, their quality of life and health can suffer, and they and their loved ones may be eligible to file nursing home abuse or neglect claims. At Lowell Stanley Injury Lawyers, our Virginia nursing home abuse attorneys use Virginia Code 32.1-138 to help build many of the claims we handle for our nursing home abuse clients.

Some of the most important rights that nursing home residents are granted are:

  • The right to be fully informed of medical treatments and the right to participate in the planning of their medical treatment
  • The right to voice grievances against nursing home facility staff
  • The right to manage personal financial affairs
  • The right to freedom from mental and physical abuse, as well as physical restraints unless authorized in writing by a physician for limited period of time and for a specific purpose

These are just a few of the rights that residents are granted in Virginia. If you suspect that your loved one’s rights were violated, we want to hear from you. Contact us today for a free consultation.

Nursing Home Residents Can Be Abused by Other Residents

by admin@gotechark.com | June 27th, 2022

Nursing home abuse is more common than most people think. Nursing home residents aren’t just at risk of being abused by staff members and caregivers, but also by other residents. This type of abuse can occur when residents share a room or interact in a common area, such as the nursing home’s dining room, lobby, library, and other shared spaces.

When residents abuse other residents, the nursing homes they live in may be liable for any injuries and damages the residents suffer. That’s because nursing homes are required to keep residents safe from preventable harm, and that includes mistreatment at the hands of other residents.

Nursing home residents who are abused by other residents often show many of the same physical and psychological symptoms as residents who are abused by caregivers. For example, they may have unexplained bruises or cuts, or they may experience pain that can reduce their mobility. They also may become fearful of being left alone or of being near the resident who abuses them.

These cases can be especially challenging when the abuser shares a room with their victim. Their victims may be afraid to speak out to caregivers, healthcare professionals, and even their own family members when they visit. Because of that, abuse can go on for months or even years before it’s discovered.

If your loved one lives in a nursing home, it’s important to always be on the lookout for signs of abuse or neglect. If you suspect your loved one is being mistreated, our Virginia nursing home abuse lawyers want to help. Contact Lowell Stanley Injury Lawyers today for a free consultation.

Suspect Nursing Home Neglect? Here’s How We Can Help.

by admin@gotechark.com | August 16th, 2021

Both nursing home abuse and neglect are unacceptable and can lead to tragic outcomes for residents. Many people whose loved ones are in nursing homes are understandably concerned about the level of care and attention they receive, and they’re typically on high alert for signs of abuse. When residents are abused, they often show physical or emotional signs of it. Unfortunately, neglect is much more difficult to detect and can go unrecognized for years.

To make matters worse, neglect can be more easily denied than abuse. That can make it more difficult for the families of neglected residents to file complaints against their nursing homes or take legal action against them. If this is the case for your family, having an experienced Virginia nursing home abuse lawyer on your side can tip the scales in your favor towards getting the money you’re owed.

At Lowell Stanley Injury Lawyers, we know what to look for when investigating nursing home neglect claims. We help families understand exactly what their loved ones have been experiencing while in the care of facilities that were supposed to be looking out for them, and then we work hard to get them the compensation they deserve. And by holding negligent nursing homes accountable, it’s our goal to ensure that no other residents go through the same thing they did.

Contact us today for a free consultation if you suspect your loved one is being neglected. We have the experience needed to properly investigate it and file a successful claim.

Which Nursing Homes Put Residents at Highest Risk of Abuse and Neglect?

by admin@gotechark.com | May 10th, 2021

When you’re looking for a nursing home for your loved one, your top priority is to find one where they’ll be safe and well taken care of. Unfortunately, some nursing homes not only fail to provide adequate care to residents, but they put them in harm’s way due to abuse and neglect.

While looking for a nursing home, always be on the lookout for these warning signs before moving your loved one into a care facility:

  • Staff turnover—Ask about average staff tenure. Do most caretakers stay at least a few years, or is there a constant revolving door of caretakers with short tenures? Significant and frequent turnover means unhappy staff and an inability for caretakers to get to know residents.
  • Facility cleanliness—Is the nursing home clean and orderly, or is it dirty and unorganized? The cleanliness of a nursing home can tell you a lot about how the management treats residents. Also, dirty nursing homes can also put residents at risk of infection, as germs spread more easily.
  • Residents’ moods—Do the residents seem happy and engaged, or are they depressed and withdrawn? It’s not uncommon for a few residents to be down, but most residents should be cheerful. If you notice that most residents seem to be in bad spirits, it could be a reflection of poor care.

Even if you find a great nursing home for your loved one, it’s important to never let your guard down. A new caretaker or management team can significantly impact resident care and wellbeing, so stay vigilant. And if you do suspect abuse or neglect, contact the Virginia nursing home abuse lawyers at Lowell Stanley Injury Lawyers today for a free consultation.

3 Signs Your Loved One May Be a Victim of Nursing Home Negligence

by admin@gotechark.com | December 14th, 2020

Nursing home abuse gets a lot of media attention. After all, what’s more abhorrent than some of the most vulnerable members of society being physically, emotionally, or even sexually abused by the people who are supposed to take care of them?

However, residents don’t have to be actively abused by staff members to suffer in their care facilities. Another significant problem that residents face is neglect. This can be even more debilitating than abuse, as it’s not always immediately obvious but can cause more serious and wide-reaching consequences, including potentially fatal health complications.

Because neglect typically doesn’t show up as cuts, bruises, or lacerations, it’s important for residents’ family members to be on the lookout for other symptoms, including:

  1. Weight loss or dehydration—Pay attention to your loved one’s overall appearance. If they appear gaunt, thin, or dehydrated, it may be because they aren’t getting enough food to eat or liquids to drink.
  2. Poor personal hygiene—Residents should receive personal hygiene items to keep themselves clean. Or, if they’re unable to do so themselves, they should receive frequent baths from staff members. Foul odors or general uncleanliness can indicate neglect.
  3. Unexplained worsening of health—Because many nursing home residents are elderly or already in poor health, it’s common for some to decline over the years. But when it happens suddenly or with no explanation, it may be due to lack of medical care, attention, or access to medications.

If you notice these signs, or if you simply suspect anything out of the ordinary with your loved one, don’t hesitate to contact our Virginia nursing home abuse lawyers. At Lowell Stanley Injury Lawyers, it’s our goal to help victims and their loved ones get maximum compensation.

Nursing Home Residents Are Especially Vulnerable Right Now

by admin@gotechark.com | April 20th, 2020

At Lowell Stanley Injury Lawyers, our Virginia nursing home abuse attorneys are always looking for ways to protect and uphold the rights of nursing home residents throughout the state. Abuse and neglect can occur anytime and anywhere in nursing facilities, especially when they are understaffed or employees are undertrained.

However, a new threat to residents has emerged in recent months: COVID-19, also known as the coronavirus. This infection has spread rapidly throughout the U.S., and many nursing homes nationwide have been hit particularly hard by it. To make matters worse, elderly people and people in poor health are most susceptible to developing severe and potentially life-threatening complications from the disease.

It’s important for nursing home staff to take all necessary precautions to protect their residents, their visitors, and themselves from this potentially deadly virus. Unfortunately, not all nursing homes are following protocol when it comes to reducing risks. Failing to abide by recommended precautions, such as not quarantining residents who are suspected to have the virus, or failing to wash hands and wear masks, is both negligent and dangerous.

Although COVID-19 can’t be completely stopped or eliminated, it’s essential that public health facilities, including nursing homes, do everything in their power to reduce risks. Was your loved one put in harm’s way via abuse or neglect at their nursing home? If so, we want to hear from you. Contact us today for a free consultation. It’s our goal to help you get the compensation you deserve.

We Stand Up for Abused and Neglected Nursing Home Residents

by admin@gotechark.com | December 30th, 2019

Due to America’s aging population, nursing homes are big business, and they’re only going to become more in-demand and plentiful throughout the country, including Virginia, in the coming decades. And while most nursing homes provide residents with the care, respect, and attention they deserve, some are more focused on making money than making sure their residents are taken care of.

When nursing home owners and administrators understaff or hire employees who aren’t properly trained or educated, residents may be more likely to be abused or neglected. The signs of abuse and neglect aren’t always easy to spot, and residents may be mistreated for months or even years before anyone notices—especially if they’re too afraid to speak out.

At Lowell Stanley Injury Lawyers, we believe that nursing home residents deserve to be treated in accordance to the state’s Nursing Home Bill of Rights. It guarantees that residents should be free to voice complaints and concerns, free from mental and physical abuse, and free to possess personal items, among many other rights. When those rights are violated, residents and their families should have recourse, including filing compensation claims.

Our Virginia nursing home abuse lawyers have helped many mistreated nursing home residents and their loved ones get damages for the indignities they suffered at the hands of profit-driven nursing homes, and if you suspect your loved one has been abused or neglected, we may be able to help you too. Contact us today for a free consultation.

Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect Isn’t Always Obvious

by admin@gotechark.com | October 14th, 2019

If your loved one lives in a nursing home, you may worry about their health, well-being, and happiness. Most nursing homes provide excellent care to residents, but others are primarily concerned with profit—not resident satisfaction. Those nursing homes are more likely to understaff or hire underqualified employees, and when caregivers are inexperienced or spread too thin, residents are more likely to be abused or neglected.

Some signs of abuse and neglect are obvious. Residents who are physically abused may develop cuts, scrapes, bruises, and even broken bones. Neglected residents may lose weight, become dehydrated, or suddenly develop new health problems or a worsening of existing health problems. However, other types of mistreatment are difficult to detect.

Mental abuse can occur for years without family members realizing it. When residents are humiliated, insulted, shouted at, or intimidated, they may become withdrawn, anxious, depressed, and fearful. In some cases, they may be threatened into silence, causing them to become too afraid to tell their loved ones and other staff members about the abuse.

Financial abuse may also occur over a long period of time without detection. Staff members may steal residents’ personal possessions, coerce them into giving them money and other assets, or even make fraudulent changes to major financial documents, including property deeds, vehicle titles, and living wills.

It’s important to be on the lookout for less obvious types of abuse and neglect and to be ready to act if you suspect they’re occurring. The Virginia nursing home abuse lawyers at Lowell Stanley Injury Lawyers have helped many families dealing with nursing home mistreatment, and we know how to build claims that get results. Contact us today.

What Compensation Is Available for Nursing Home Abuse Victims and Their Families?

by admin@gotechark.com | July 22nd, 2019

You trust the owners, managers, healthcare providers, and staff members at your loved one’s nursing home to provide them with compassionate and effective care. However, some nursing homes value profits over the well-being of their residents—and their misplaced and negligent priorities can sometimes put residents’ lives at risk.

If you believe that your loved one was abused or neglected while living in a nursing home facility, it’s important to call an experienced Norfolk nursing home abuse attorney right away. At Lowell Stanley Injury Lawyers, our legal team will investigate your claim and collect evidence that proves your loved one’s rights were violated. Then, we’ll pursue maximum compensation for your family, which may include:

  • Medical bills—Nursing home abuse and neglect can result in serious health problems, and victims may require expensive medical treatments to recover.
  • Lost or stolen property—Staff members may damage or steal residents’ possessions, or they may force them to sign over their own personal investments.
  • Pain and suffering—Residents who are neglected or abused often carry both physical and psychological scars. They may deal with the effects of their mistreatment for the rest of their lives.

When your trust is violated by an organization that was supposed to be in charge of looking after every aspect of your loved one’s day to day life, you and your loved one deserve to be compensated for what you’ve been through. Let us put our experience to work for your family. Call us today for a free consultation.