Queens Nursing Home Abuse Attorneys

Dedicated to Fighting for the Rights of Your Elderly Loved One

Neglect and abuse are often the last things on someone’s mind when selecting a nursing home for their elderly family member or loved one. Unfortunately, however, nursing home abuse does occur, and at an alarming rate—as many as 5,000,000 people are affected by elder abuse every year in the U.S., according to the National Council on Aging (NCOA).

If you suspect that your loved one has been the victim of abuse or neglect, get in touch with the Queens nursing home abuse attorneys at the Harris Firm, LLC right away. Since 1994, our legal team has fought for the rights of the wrongfully injured and mistreated because we are committed to protecting our clients from injustices. We are committed to holding the liable parties accountable for their actions and seeking the fair recovery and justice that you and your family deserve.

Contact our firm today online or at (718) 487-8669 to learn more about how our attorneys can assist you with your case, or to schedule a complimentary consultation today.

Signs of Nursing Home Abuse

It is often up to close family members and friends to advocate on behalf of an abused loved one in elder care. Why? Victims of abuse in general are often too hopeless, frightened, and/or ashamed to admit they are suffering. In nursing homes, elderly victims of neglect and abuse may not even be aware of the danger they are in due to cognitive difficulties.

Nursing home abuse or neglect may be a problem for your elderly loved one living in an elder care home. Signs of potential abuse or neglect to look for in your loved one include:

• Unexplained injuries
• Bedsores
• Broken possessions
• Drastic changes in personality
• Becoming depressed or withdrawn
• Being startled or scared easily
• Exhibiting repetitive behaviors, such as rocking back and forth
• Poor appearance
• Poor hygiene
• Malnutrition or dehydration
• Weight loss
• Sudden financial troubles
• Contracting a sexually transmitted disease (STD)
• Self-isolation

While nursing home abuse often comes in the form of neglect or physical abuse, other common forms of abuse include mental abuse, sexual abuse, and financial abuse.

What to Do If You Suspect Nursing Home Abuse

If you suspect your loved one has been neglected or abused while in elder care, now is the time to act. If your loved one is in immediate danger, call 911 right away. Otherwise, take some time to collect evidence and prepare to report the abuse.

Here are some things you can do if you suspect elder abuse or neglect:

• Talk to your loved one and ask if they have been harmed, threatened, neglected, robbed, or otherwise mistreated. If they respond negatively but you continue to suspect something is wrong, it may be best to follow your gut and continue investigating.
• Document everything. Save relevant documents such as medical records and accident reports. Write down anything you have noticed that has led you to believe your loved one has been mistreated. Take photographs of relevant evidence (injuries, room conditions, etc.) as well, if possible.
• File a report with the nursing home itself. If the nursing home is uncooperative, or if you feel as though the administrators are untrustworthy, file a complaint with the New York State Adult Protective Services.
• Talk to a local nursing home abuse lawyer to learn more about elderly rights and your legal options for holding the negligent nursing home staff member or facility responsible.

Choosing the Right Nursing Home Facility

One of the best ways to avoid potential instances of nursing home neglect or abuse is to select a reputable facility for your loved one. There are a few ways that you can ensure that the place you have selected is the right option.

When touring potential nursing homes, ask yourself the following:

• Do the building and grounds seem clean and well-kept?
• What is the overall demeanor of the residents and staff?
• Does the staff know the residents by name?
• What is the ratio of staff members to residents?
• Does the nursing home in question have insurance?
• Are there any unpleasant odors or other signs of poor hygiene?
• What is the condition of the food? How does it look and taste?
• Are there any available activities for residents?

Before selecting a nursing home, you can also look up its star rating. Many elder care facilities are rated on an annual basis, which can help you in your decision-making process.

Another thing to keep an eye out for is whether or not the nursing home attempts to add an arbitration clause into its fine print. An arbitration clause limits the home’s liability in the event of abuse or neglect. It’s wise to ask yourself why a facility would feel the need to include such a clause if they truly stand behind their doctors, nurses, and other staff members.

How Can We Help?

Despite everyone’s best efforts and intentions, nursing home abuse or neglect can still happen. If you believe that you or your family member is the victim of abuse, our Queens nursing home abuse attorneys can help. We have successfully fought on behalf of numerous individuals struggling through similar situations and our dedicated team has been honored countless times for their exceptional plaintiff work.

Reach out to our Queens nursing home abuse lawyers at (718) 487-8669 today or send us a message online. We offer free initial case evaluations and contingency fee based services.