Phoenix Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers AZ

What are the different types of nursing home abuse?

Nursing home abuse can take many forms, and it's important to recognize each one to protect elderly residents. Here are the main types:

• Physical abuse: This involves using force to cause harm, such as hitting, slapping, pushing, or restraining someone. It can leave visible injuries like bruises or broken bones.
• Emotional or psychological abuse: This type of abuse targets a person’s emotions. It includes yelling, threats, humiliation, or ignoring the resident. It can make the resident feel scared, anxious, or depressed.
• Sexual abuse: Any non-consensual sexual contact, such as touching or other inappropriate actions, falls under sexual abuse. Victims may feel ashamed, scared, or suffer physical injuries.
• Neglect: Neglect happens when a nursing home fails to provide proper care. This can mean not giving enough food or water, ignoring medical needs, or failing to keep the resident clean. Neglect can lead to serious health problems.
• Financial abuse: This occurs when someone takes advantage of a resident’s money or belongings. It can include stealing money, forging signatures, or convincing the resident to change their will.
• Abandonment: Abandonment happens when a caregiver leaves a resident alone and without proper care, often in dangerous situations where they cannot fend for themselves.

What are common signs of abuse or neglect in Arizona nursing homes?

While some nursing home injuries are immediately apparent, others may go unnoticed for an extended period. For example, the effects of mental abuse are likely not visible. You can’t assume that your loved one will report the situation. He or she may be dealing with intimidation or threats of further harm. This is why it is so important to visit nursing home residents regularly and earnestly look for common signs of abuse, including:

• Unusual bruises or cuts
• Broken bones
• Changed relationships between staff members and the resident
• Strained communications between nursing home staff and family members
• Resident’s discomfort with certain staff members
• Frequent infections
• Lapse in cleanliness
• Unexplained weight loss
• Drugged or dazed behavior
• Excessive sleepiness

Residents with disorders like dementia and Alzheimer’s are especially vulnerable to abuse. Because some patients with these disorders can "act out," nursing homes may use drugs to control those behaviors, claiming they are necessary as a way of "protecting" the residents. The use of chemical restraints is regulated by both state and federal law, so if you notice changes in behavior - taking additional naps, disorientation, evasive behavior by the staff – your loved one may be under the influence of medications that are being used for off-label reasons.

If you observe troubling signs while visiting your loved one, take immediate steps to secure his or her safety. Local law enforcement can be of assistance, along with Arizona Adult Protective Services. For help in securing compensation for your loved one’s injuries, contact our compassionate Phoenix nursing home injury lawyers. We handle all of our personal injury cases on a contingency fee basis. You will not owe us anything unless we obtain a verdict or settlement on your behalf.

What kind of injuries can result from abuse or neglect in a nursing home?

Our attorneys have assisted numerous nursing home neglect and abuse victims. Some of the effects we see most often include:

• Bruising, lacerations and broken bones. Your loved one can sustain serious injuries in cases where caregivers physically assault residents through actions like striking or pushing.
• Bed sores. Also called decubitus ulcers, these skin and tissue injuries develop when residents are left in the same position for prolonged periods of time.
• Emotional withdrawal or personality changes. Physical abuse, sexual abuse or neglect can leave a patient emotionally withdrawn. Verbal abuse occurs when residents are subjected to statements that cause severe emotional distress, including insults, threats, and shouting, and it can lead to distinct personality changes.
• Dehydration and malnutrition. When staff members fail to provide residents with adequate nutrition and hydration, the results can be fatal.
• Falling injuries resulting in fractures. Inadequate supervision, lack of bed rails, unsafe walkways and a lack of preventative measures can lead to bone-fracturing falls.
• Wandering away. Unattended residents may wander away from the nursing home, unknowingly placing themselves in extreme danger.

Our knowledgeable Phoenix nursing home injury attorneys understand that injuries often stem from the inadequate decisions of nursing home owners and managers. These facilities have a professional duty to maintain a staff-to-resident ratio that meets industry safety standards. They should also take measures to protect their loved ones by carefully checking the backgrounds of potential caregivers. Unfortunately, many nursing homes fail to take appropriate action. Instead, they choose to place profits over their residents, creating an environment that promotes injury instead of excellent care.

What should I do if I suspect Phoenix nursing home abuse?

If you suspect nursing home abuse in Phoenix, it's important to take action right away. Here are some steps you should follow:

• Document the signs: Write down any signs of abuse you notice, like unexplained bruises, weight loss, poor hygiene, or sudden mood changes. Take pictures if you can, and keep a record of when and where these things happened.
• Talk to your loved one: If possible, ask your loved one privately about their experience. They may feel scared or embarrassed, so let them know it's safe to speak honestly and that you’re there to help.
• Report the abuse: Contact the nursing home’s administration to report your concerns. You can also reach out to the Arizona Department of Health Services or Adult Protective Services to file a complaint and start an investigation.
• Get medical help: If your loved one is injured or seems unwell, get them medical attention immediately. A doctor’s report can help document their injuries and show that they were harmed while in the nursing home’s care.
• Consult with a Phoenix nursing home abuse attorney: A Phoenix nursing home abuse attorney can guide you through the legal process and help you take action against the facility. At Plattner Verderame P.C., we work to protect your loved one’s rights and seek compensation for any harm caused.

Taking quick action is important to keep your loved one safe and hold the nursing home accountable.