Nursing Home Abuse

Norfolk Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers Discuss The Neglect Many Elderly Residents Face

by | June 15th, 2015

When we think of elder abuse in the United States, what may come to mind is an elderly person who has been physically or mentally harmed by another person’s actions. However, a new study shows that neglect may actually be the most common form of abuse the elderly suffer.

Our Norfolk nursing home abuse lawyers at Lowell Stanley Injury Lawyers explain how researchers from the Virginia Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services examined tens of thousands of reports stemming from incidents where elderly patients were harmed. They found that more than half of those cases were the result of neglect, including improper supervision.

According to an article from the Daily Press, a majority of these neglect cases occurred within the patient’s home. Roughly half of those victims were Caucasian women age 60 or older. Another 400 of those victims were over age 90.

The home isn’t the only place neglect can occur though. There were 286 cases of nursing home abuse reported in assisted living facilities and another 570 cases that occurred within a nursing home. Another 834 cases were reported in the home of someone other than the patient.

If you or a loved one have become the victim of neglect, it’s important to know that you aren’t alone and that help is out there. Our team of Norfolk personal injury lawyers from Lowell Stanley Injury Lawyers are here to answer any questions you may have if you suspect you or your loved one aren’t receiving the appropriate care. We can be reached to discuss your situation by calling (757) 459-CASH.

New Study Looks at Factors Involved in Cases of Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect

by | December 8th, 2014

When we send our loved ones to live in a nursing home or long-term care facility, we expect them to be safe from harm; however, one new study is showing this could be far from reality.

Researchers have shown as many as 1 in 5 nursing home patients are the victims of abuse and an unlikely culprit caused a majority of the harm. They examined the reports filed in more than 2,000 cases of nursing home abuse at 10 different facilities and found that instead of staff members being the ones accused of causing a patient harm, it was most often another patient responsible for the abuse.

Facilities with poor staff-to-patient ratios were found to have higher rates of abuse. Other factors that raised a patient’s chances of being abused or neglected included feuds with roommates and crowded conditions.

New America Media reports the profile of the abuser was also not quite what researchers had in mind. They concluded those who are most likely to harm another patient were younger individuals who were less cognitively impaired and suffered from a mood disorder.

So what can you do to protect yourself or a loved one from nursing home abuse? Norfolk personal injury attorney, Lowell Stanley, points out that taking the following actions can significantly reduce the chances of being harmed by a caregiver or fellow patient:

  • Visit Often– Make a habit of routinely visiting your loved one where they’re staying.
  • Ask Questions– Be sure to have all questions and concerns addressed by your loved one’s caregiver and the facility’s management.
  • Know Your Rights– Speaking with an attorney can help you clarify any issues you may have surrounding a case of nursing home abuse or neglect.

 

New Plan Aims to Eradicate Nursing Home Abuse and Negligence in the U.S.

by | August 11th, 2014

When our loved ones are unable to care for themselves, using a home care provider or nursing home’s services may be the best way to ensure they receive the medical attention they need. On the other hand, nursing home abuse rates are through the roof.

The National Center for Elder Abuse reports that as many as 1 in 3 nursing home residents will become victims of abuse or negligence. Experts are quick to point out this estimate may be on the low end though, considering a large number of cases may go unreported.

Officials are hoping to curb the number of elderly patients who are harmed each year by creating a new plan to address the problem. The Elder Justice Roadmap lays out five priorities that are key to combating nursing home abuse, and they include:

  1. Awareness- Finding new and innovative ways to educate the public about nursing home abuse through improved policies and research is crucial.
  2. Brain Health- Improving patient brain function through focused research is believed to also have a significant impact on nursing home abuse rates.
  3. Caregiving- Providing better support and training to healthcare workers.
  4. Economics- Pinning down the costs associated with nursing home abuse will also work to dissuade the behavior.
  5. Resources- Investment in resources to support victims of nursing home abuse is important to victims’ recovery.

The Norfolk personal injury lawyers with Lowell Stanley Injury Lawyers are hopeful these changes will successfully bring an end to nursing home abuse in the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Lawsuit filed for Virginia Beach auto accident

by admin@gotechark.com | March 9th, 2009

March 3, 2009

According to the Virginian-Pilot, a lawsuit was filed against the estate of the driver who caused a Virginia auto accident last November.

The 18-year-old driver was driving his Volkswagon with two teenage passengers when his car drove across the center line and crashed into a van.

All three teenagers were killed in the Virginia Beach auto accident and the driver of the van was seriously injured.

The driver of the van is suing for $1 million and the families of the two teenage passengers are suing for $2 million against the estate of the teenage driver who caused the Virginia Beach car accident.

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The auto accident lawyers at Lowell Stanley can help if you were injured in a Virginia Beach car accident.

One person killed, another injured in Norfolk auto accident

by admin@gotechark.com | February 25th, 2009

February 24, 2009

According to the Virginian-Pilot, one person was killed and another person was seriously injured as a result of a Virginia auto accident early Saturday morning.

One car was driving on Northampton Boulevard when it was hit from behind by a second car traveling at a high rate of speed. The first car then hit a third car in the Norfolk auto accident.

The driver of the third car was pronounced dead at the scene of the Norfolk car accident and a passenger in the third car was taken to the hospital with serious injuries.

Police are continuing their investigation on the Norfolk auto accident.

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The Norfolk auto accident lawyers at Lowell Stanley can help if you have been injured in a Virginia car accident.

Four cars involved in Virginia auto accident

by admin@gotechark.com | February 13th, 2009

February 10, 2009

The Roanoke Times reported four cars were involved in a Virginia auto accident on Friday afternoon.

The Virginia car accident occurred on the southbound lanes of U.S. 220 in which both lanes were blocked for two hours.

The driver of a Chevrolet Tahoe was driving in the right lane when it rear-ended a Chevrolet Malibu, which was stopped at a traffic light. The collision caused both vehicles to hit two other cars in the Virginia auto accident.

Passengers in the other cars were taken to the hospital with non life-threatening injuries suffered in the Virginia car accident.

The driver of the Tahoe who caused that Virginia auto accident was charged for reckless driving.

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The auto accident lawyers at Lowell Stanley can help if you have been injured in a Virginia car accident.

Infant suffered severe Virginia dog bite injuries

by admin@gotechark.com | February 10th, 2009

February 5, 2009

An eight-month old baby suffered severe facial injuries in a Virginia dog bite accident on Monday morning, as reported by Daily Press.

The baby was at his babysitter’s house when he was attacked by her one-year-old pit bull terrier and suffered the Virginia dog bite injuries.

The baby remains in critical condition at the hospital, but is expected to recover from his Virginia dog bite injuries.

The pit bull terrier involved in the Virginia dog bite accident was euthanized after the attack.

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The dog bite injury attorneys at Lowell Stanley can help if you have suffered injuries in a Virginia dog bite accident.

Police cruiser involved in Virginia auto accident

by admin@gotechark.com | February 9th, 2009

February 3, 2009

A Virginia auto accident occurred early Saturday morning when a car collided with a police cruiser, as reported by the Virginian-Pilot.

The police officer was driving his cruiser with its lights and sirens activated as he was responding to a call when the Virginia car accident occurred.

A 19-year-old man was driving his car on Route 164 when the police officer collided with him at the intersection of College Drive.

The driver was taken to the hospital with injuries and the police officer was uninjured as a result of the Virginia auto accident.

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The car accident lawyers at Lowell Stanley can help if you have been injured in a Virginia auto accident.

Driver charged after Virginia auto accident

by admin@gotechark.com | January 28th, 2009

January 27, 2009

Richmond-Times Dispatch reported a Virginia auto accident in which a tanker truck overturned on Dulles Greenway early Monday morning.

The truck driver was driving a tanker truck carrying fuel when he ran off the side of the road and overturned the truck in the median causing the Virginia car accident.

The driver suffered non-life threatening injuries as a result of the Virginia car accident, although police charged him for reckless driving.

Hazardous material teams were called to the scene of the Virginia auto accident to clean up fuel that leaked from the tanker truck.

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The auto accident attorneys at Lowell Stanley can help if you have been injured in a Virginia car accident.

Driver charged for Virginia auto accident

by admin@gotechark.com | January 20th, 2009

January 8, 2009

The Virginian-Pilot reported a truck driver was charged for causing a Virginia auto accident in December.

A 3-year-old and her 4-year-old sister suffered serious injuries in the Virginia auto accident, although the girls are expected to fully recover from their injuries.

The driver caused the Virginia car accident when he crashed his tanker truck into the back of the vehicle the two girls were in.

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The auto accident lawyers at Lowell Stanley can help if you have been injured in a Virginia car accident.