Nursing Home Neglect vs. Nursing Home Abuse
While there are many similarities between nursing home neglect and nursing
home abuse, there is a key difference between the two. Abuse implies a
specific intent to harm, but neglect is a breach of duty or a form of
sub-standard care that results in harm. Negligence can occur in many ways
during the care of elders. When your loved one is suffering from neglect
in a nursing home, taking legal action may be the right step in recovering
damages and protecting them from further harm.
What are signs of negligence in a nursing home?
Negligence in a nursing home manifests in several ways, including:
- Basic needs neglect
- Emotional/social neglect
- Medical neglect
- Personal hygiene neglect
Repeatedly ignoring or leaving an elderly person alone may be considered
neglect, as may failing to give elders adequate assistance with cleaning
and bathing, or failing to provide adequate medical attention. These and
other related actions may be considered a failure of the nursing home
to maintain its standards and duties. If there is a clear indication that
the nursing home breached one or more of its duties, you may be able to
make a claim to recover.
Bring a Negligence Case Forward with Evidence
In order to bring a negligence or wrongful death claim against a nursing
home, a case may require evidence of neglect. Depending on the circumstances,
neglect may be identified in certain physical signs and behavioral changes.
Neglect can sometimes be difficult to identify when no physical signs
are present, or when a victim has difficult expressing their concerns.
There are a few warning signs that may indicate neglect, such as:
- Changes in person hygiene/appearance
- Dehydration/malnutrition
- Environmental hazards at the nursing home
- Fall injuries
- Lack of friendly interaction with staff and residents
- Withdrawn/unusual changes in behavior
Protect Your Loved Ones with Legal Guidance
Elders may be exposed to unnecessary risks to their health and safety from
nursing home neglect. The care and attention of loved ones may help prevent
harm to elders and ensure the safety of others as well. Signs that an
elder is suffering from negligence in a nursing home may be grounds for
taking legal action in a claim.
Our firm has
more than 30 years of legal experience in many difficult personal injury cases. At Hartley Law Group, PLLC, we
strive to provide our clients with personalized attention and superior
service. Our personal injury attorneys have
obtained several multi-million dollars verdicts and settlements for our clients. When the health and safety of your loved ones are at
risk, work with a legal team that has extensive knowledge and resources
to see to the individual needs of your case.
Schedule a free case evaluation
with our West Virginia personal injury lawyers!