The elderly are a vulnerable population who often depend on others for their safety and overall well-being. When an elderly person is placed in a nursing home in Arkansas, the expectation is that they will be well cared for by both the staff, the agency, the medical team, and family members. Unfortunately, that is not always what happens.
At Bautista LeRoy LLC, our personal injury lawyer in Benton County handles cases where an elderly person has suffered an injury or abuse at a nursing home. In these types of situations, there can be multiple defendants, and so it is important to have strong representation. Contact us at 479-208-6614 to schedule a free consultation. We will discuss your nursing home abuse or injury case and outline what might be your best legal options.
Understanding Nursing Home Injuries and Abuse in Arkansas
Nursing home injuries happen for many reasons, including abuse and neglect by the nursing home staff or other residents. Unfortunately, nursing home abuse happens far too often throughout the nation. Nursing home abuse typically involves physical abuse, sexual abuse, psychological abuse, or financial abuse by a member of the staff or another resident.
When a resident suffers an injury due to abuse or neglect, the resident could be entitled to file a personal injury claim. Nursing home abuse is commonly the result of negligence on the part of the company that owns or operates the nursing home or its staff.
For instance, nursing homes might be short-staffed or lacking proper training. Nursing home personal injury claims often require an investigation into a company's policies and procedures.
If your loved one has suffered abuse or neglect in their nursing home, contacting Bautista LeRoy LLC should be the first step you take. Call us at 479-208-6614 to find out how we can help you and your loved one recover from this violation.
Common Injuries from Arkansas Nursing Home Abuse
The type and severity of nursing home abuse or neglect injuries differ significantly based on the injured individual and the circumstances surrounding the situation. One of the most common types of nursing home injuries is bedsores, which typically develop when a resident is not moved for long. However, there are several other types of injuries associated with nursing home abuse, including:
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Broken bones
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Concussions or other head injuries
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Bruising and lacerations
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Burns
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Malnutrition or dehydration
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Injuries from sexual abuse
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Death
It is also important to note that injuries do not always involve physical pain or harm. For instance, nursing home abuse could include financial exploitation in which the injury is purely financial. Additionally, a resident might sustain emotional injuries from nursing home abuse or neglect.
Warning Signs of Abuse or Neglect at a Nursing Home in Benton County
The warning signs of abuse or neglect at a nursing home can be obvious in some situations, or very subtle in other cases. Some common signs of abuse or neglect may include a resident who:
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Develops a fear of certain residents or employees
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Has a dirty room, clothing. or other personal items
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Has poor hygiene
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Develops a change in their personality
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Has an excessively hot or cold room
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Seems overly anxious or fearful
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Has injuries with no valid explanation
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Loses their financial assets or personal property
It might be hard to believe that a loved one is being abused or neglected at a nursing home. But nursing home abuse happens, so it is important to understand the common warning signs and be willing to report potential abuse.
Compensation for Nursing Home Injuries in Arkansas
If you or a loved one has been injured at a nursing home, you deserve compensation. Money will not heal the pain, but it will help pay for the bills and the necessary treatment to address the physical pain and emotional suffering. When injured through the negligent, reckless, or intentional act of another person or entity, you may be entitled to:
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Economic damages, which reimburses or covers the cost of past and future medical expenses and other related costs
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Non-economic damages, which reimburses or covers the cost of physical pain or emotional or mental suffering
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Punitive damages, which, when allowed by law, punishes the wrongdoer and acts as a deterrent to prevent future harms
Contact a Nursing Home Injury Lawyer in Arkansas Today
If you suspect your loved one is suffering from nursing home abuse or neglect, it is important to act quickly and seek help. Simply speaking with your loved one may not be sufficient because they might be afraid of repercussions if they disclose abuse to you.
Contacting Bautista LeRoy LLC could provide you with a better understanding of your options and investigate any claims of abuse or neglect. Additionally, most states have agencies tasked with handling nursing home abuse or neglect complaints and investigating any and all claims provided to them.
It is important to take action as soon as possible if you suspect any type of nursing home abuse or neglect to prevent it from escalating. Call us at 479-208-6614 to schedule a free consultation today.
Summary
Families expect attentive care and safety when they entrust their elderly loved ones to a nursing home. Disappointingly, there are still many reports of abuse and neglect inside these facilities. Because of mistreatment and lack of supervision, elderly residents suffer from painful injuries and other health issues.
- Bedsores
- Broken bones
- Head injuries
- Bruises and burns
- Malnutrition
- Dehydration
- Emotional trauma
When this happens to your loved one, know that you have the option to seek accountability and compensation through legal action. Bautista LeRoy LLC is one of the top law firms that handle nursing home abuse/neglect cases. Our personal injury attorneys have years of expertise in representing elderly people who have suffered from mistreatment and health issues due to neglect. The goal of our legal team is to secure maximum payments to compensate the damages that the elderly have experienced. The Bautista LeRoy LLC also has the resources to hold the facility accountable.
We can investigate the case and find out its root causes, which often involve:
- Understaffing
- Inadequate training
- Staff burnout and stress
- Poor management and supervision
- Low wages and high turnover
- Lack of accountability
- Resident vulnerability
- Intentional misconduct
Save your loved one from the harmful environment of a nursing home and hold them accountable. You can rely on the legal experts of Bautista LeRoy LLC. Contact us through www.bautistaleroy-bentonville.com or 479-208-6614.
Can a nursing home facility itself be held liable for an elderly resident's injury?
Yes, they can be held responsible when the investigation of the case reveals that it was caused by:
- Unsafe conditions
- Poor supervision
- Understaffing
- Medication mistakes
- Failure to provide proper care
What injuries can an elderly person suffer from abuse and neglect inside a nursing home?
- Bruises, cuts, burns, fractures
- Head and hip injuries
- Pressure ulcers
- Malnutrition and dehydration
- Infections
- Emotional trauma
- Medication errors
What if the nursing home denies responsibility and blames the resident for injuries?
This commonly happens, but through investigation and an attorney's help, they can prove the true causes of an elder's injury. A legal expert can assess:
- Medical records
- Incident reports
- Photographs of injuries
- Medication administration records
- Staff schedules
- Security footage
- Witness statements
- Inspection reports
- Prior complaints
- Billing records
- Care plans
Why are nursing home cases different from other injury cases?
Nursing home neglect and abuse cases often involve sensitive information, complicated medical records and powerful companies. That is why investigations are more demanding.
How can a nursing home abuse/neglect attorney help an elderly victim and their family?
An attorney is ready to guide victims of abuse and neglect in the legal process. Beyond that, they can also:
- Investigate the case
- Reviews records
- Gathers and preserves evidence
- Identifies responsible parties
- Handles communication with facilities
- Seeks fair compensation
- Represents the case in court
How do attorney fees work when it comes to nursing home abuse/neglect cases?
Most personal injury attorneys who handle nursing home cases work on a contingency fee basis. Basically, they only get paid if they recover compensation for the client. This can save victims from financial stress.
