Nursing Home Abuse & Neglect

Unfortunately, improper care at nursing homes is a far-too-common problem in North Carolina. The elderly can fall victim to nursing home neglect due to negligent care, cruel treatment, or reckless cost-cutting measures. Sadly, these victims are often in a feeble, dependent condition which prevents them from addressing abuse. As result, it is the responsibility of their friends and family to identify and report suspicious behavior, accidents, or injuries. Nursing home neglect may lead to legal action and sizable money judgments for victims and their families. If you or a loved one has suffered from an injury while in the care of a nursing home or assisted living facility, contact our office to speak with one of Charlotte’s Premier Personal Injury Attorneys. Our talented and experienced lawyers passionately fight to vindicate your rights, ensure that you receive ample compensations for injuries, and bring the wrongdoers to justice.

As members of our “baby boomer” generation age and become dependent on the care of others, many are placed in nursing homes or assisted living facilities. Families and loved ones are often simply unable to provide the time and resources that are necessary to provide proper care to their elderly. As such, they rely on care-takers for assistance. However, the increasing costs of caring for the elderly have led many facilities to cut costs, sometimes at the expense of their residents. These measures may mean that a loved one is being mistreated or neglected by a poorly trained staff. They could also mean that a loved one is suffering due to inadequate facilities, improper medication, or failing equipment.

Unfortunately, statistics currently indicate a rise in nursing home neglect incidents. According to the National Center on Elder Abuse, only 1 in 14 cases of elder abuse are reported, while only 1 in 25 cases of financial exploitation are reported. As such, up to 2 million elderly individuals are injured, exploited, or otherwise mistreated by someone on whom they depend for basic care.

Preventing negligent care begins with active participation in the lives of those in nursing homes. Simply walking through the facility and spending time with the residents may result in the identification of problematic conditions. If so, these issues should be reported immediately to the nursing home management. This also requires a follow-up to ensure that any minor problems have been adequately resolved. You should keep detailed records of all communications regarding neglect or abuse. If dangerous conditions are not fixed immediately, or if an injury results due to the neglect of the nursing home staff or management, contact Arnold & Smith, PLLC to speak with an experienced attorney with whom you can discuss your options.

Nursing home neglect cases can take many forms. As such, it is imperative to recognize warning signs as early as possible. Do not hesitate to contact Arnold & Smith, PLLC today if you or your loved one has suffered from any of the following:

• Injury from a Fall
• Dehydration
• Malnutrition
• Improper Medication
• Choking
• Infections
• Sexual Assault
• Peritonitis
• Burns
• Strangulation or Injuries from Restraints
• Feeding Tube Accidents
• Pressure Sores
• Unexplained injuries
• Serious Bruising
• Financial Exploitation
• Verbal Abuse

Often, victims of nursing home neglect and abuse are unable or afraid to report the wrongful conduct. In these situations, the family and friends of those victims must recognize and report the injuries. As such, it is imperative that the friends and families maintain close contact with their loved ones in nursing homes and constantly communicate to ensure that residents are not falling victim to abuse.

If you or a loved one has fallen victim to neglect, abuse, or other mistreatment in a nursing home or assisted living facility, do not hesitate to contact Arnold & Smith, PLLC today to arrange a consultation with one of Charlotte’s premier Personal Injury Attorneys.

• North Carolina Division of Health Service Regulation – Reporting Health Care Personnel
• North Carolina State Board of Examiners for Nursing Home Administrators