Nursing Home Law Firm Las Vegas, NV

Are you or a loved one experiencing abuse or negligence in a nursing home? If you’ve had enough, then you should consult Eric Roy Law Firm, a nursing home law firm in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Negligence at an Assisted Living Facility can Come in Many Forms:

• Neglect of Basic Need: Lack of a clean space, food, and water
• Neglect of Personal Hygiene: Lack of services to maintain your personal hygiene
• Neglect of Medical Needs: Lack of timely medication and disability services
• Neglect of Social or Emotional Needs: When facility employees ignore residents or take out their frustrations on residents

Nursing home negligence isn’t limited to these forms. It’s ultimately the lack of services that are outlined in your contract. When you pay your money to find a good assisted living facility, you want the best care for yourself or your loved one. That’s why it’s important to find a good nursing home law firm in Las Vegas, NV to battle on your behalf to get the justice and compensation you deserve.

For Loved Ones of Nursing Home Residents

Part of having your loved one in a nursing home is having peace of mind while knowing that he or she is receiving the best care to maintain a quality standard of living. And when visiting a loved one, usually your purpose is to catch up and spend quality time with your family, but know that there are little signs that can convey nursing home abuse that are both seen and unseen.

Signs that are more openly visible include bedsores on the back, arms, or thighs, etc., weight loss due to malnutrition or dehydration, unexplained bruises, broken bones or cuts, inadequate physical or dental hygiene, and feces or urine on clothing or bed sheets.  Look out for drowsiness, drooling or cracked lips, which can be a sign that your loved one was overmedicated.

In the meantime, you should also keep an eye out for less blatant signs of nursing home negligence. A nursing home law firm in Las Vegas will need to know every detail. Look out for signs of abrupt behavior changes that might hint at mental abuse. A hesitation to speak openly which might imply a threatening. A loss of possessions that your loved one probably won’t notice. And most importantly, any changes in bank account activity that may prove that the facility is taking out more than they should.

Understanding the Risks of Violence in Nursing Homes

It is hard to believe and difficult to hear, but violent attacks can and do occur at nursing home facilities. Depending on who the attacker is, the facility can be held liable for abuse or neglect. It is therefore important to speak with an experienced Las Vegas, NV nursing home law firm, even if you’re unsure of whether or not you can hold the attacker personally liable for harm that resulted from the altercation. The experienced team at Eric Roy Law Firm understands the nuances of this area of law and can help you explore your legal options in a compassionate, focused, and informed way. 

Neglect – Patients attacking other patients

Many nursing home residents are suffering from dementia and other cognitive impairments. Even if they have never been violent in the past, the confusion and deterioration that comes with these diseases can sometimes spark outlandish or violent behavior against other residents.

Nursing home staff cannot always predict when these attacks will happen, but they need to be ready to respond at a moment’s notice. If your loved one was assaulted by another nursing home resident, it very well could be due to negligence and neglect on the part of the staff. As such, the facility could be held liable in a personal injury lawsuit.

Abuse – Staffers attacking patients

Working as a resident assistant in a nursing home can be as difficult as it is rewarding. Most people who go into this line of work are kind-hearted and able to stay calm under stress. Unfortunately, there are some staff members who take their frustrations out on residents through violence and intimidation.

Although such behavior is despicable, it is a possibility that families need to be aware of – especially if their loved one has difficulty communicating. The most likely victims of staff-initiated abuse are residents who cannot make or communicate decisions for themselves. If you notice injuries or frightened behavior in your loved one, it may be worth allowing our Las Vegas, NV nursing home law firm to investigate whether abuse or neglect has occurred.

Sexual Abuse in Nursing Homes

Sadly, the same types of problems mentioned above can lead to sexual assault and abuse in nursing homes. Sometimes the perpetrators are fellow residents (often with cognitive impairment). Other times, these crimes are committed by staffers. If you have any reason to suspect that your loved one has been sexually abused while living in a nursing home, please contact our Las Vegas, NV nursing home law firm right away. We can discuss your options for further investigation, which will almost certainly include involving the police.

Emotional Abuse Is Also a Significant Problem

Physical abuse results in injuries and psychological trauma, but emotional abuse can be highly damaging as well. It can lead to anxiety, depression, withdrawal, sudden fearfulness, agitation and other devastating symptoms.

Emotional abuse cases are usually perpetrated by staffers. They may use bullying, coercion, humiliation and harassment to exert control over residents. In some cases, the emotional abuse is an end in itself. Other times, it is used as a means to commit crimes like financial exploitation.

It is very difficult to leave a parent or other family member in a nursing home, even under ideal conditions. But when abuse or neglect occurs, it often has serious and long-lasting effects on the whole family. Please discuss your concerns with our Las Vegas, NV nursing home law firm if you have any suspicions that your loved one is being abused or neglected in a nursing home. Speaking to us doesn’t commit you to taking legal action, but it will allow you to make an informed decision concerning your next steps. 

Beware of Financial Exploitation

Unfortunately, financial abuse towards nursing home residents is a common occurrence. Your loved one could be affected by this and not even know it. Most often nursing home residents have worked tirelessly throughout their lives to save money only to have it unknowingly stolen from them by an untrustworthy person or people. This is considered financial abuse. 

Here are common signs and behaviors that could exhibit elderly financial abuse is happening:

• Forging of the elderly person’s signature on checks or other financial documents
• Forcing the elderly person to sign a will, deed, or power attorney that lists the perpetrator as the person who will gain financially when the victim dies
• Stealing property of money from the elderly person
• Promising to give the elderly person lifelong care with a stipulation of money or their property
• Using possessions or property of the elderly person without their permission
• Using trickery, pretenses, deception, or other dishonest acts to gain the elderly person’s finances
• Perpetrating cons to gain the trust of the elderly person
• Perpetrating telemarketing scams to deceive the elderly person and to get them to send money
• Making charges against the elderly person’s credit cards without the authorization of the cardholder

Families of the resident and the resident put their trust in staff members to ensure that they provide the resident with long-term care without any stipulations. The staff member is a paid employee and should not be receiving money from the resident or attempting to receive money from the resident. Residents can become close with the staff members which often blurs the line between both parties. This creates a situation where staff members could be tempted to abuse that relationship with the resident to commit financial abuse. 

The Elderly Person at Risk

There are a few signs and risk factors that would put an elderly person at the risk of financial abuse. These characteristics of the elderly person who are likely to be financially abused include:

• Loneliness
• Isolation
• Have mental or physical disabilities
• Have lost someone recently
• Unfamiliar with matters dealing with their finances and finances in general
• Unfamiliar with the technology used to manage their finances

Signs of Financial Abuse Against the Elderly

Here are a few signs that could indicate or suggest that there has been financial abuse against an elderly person at a nursing home. If you see several of these, it may indicate your loved one could be financially exploited.

Signs of financial abuse against the elderly:

• Canceled checks or bank statements addressed to perpetrator’s home
• Large bank withdrawals or transfers between different and unfamiliar accounts
• The perpetrator has developed an unprofessional close relationship with the elderly person
• ATM withdrawals that the elderly person could not have made on their own
• Perpetrator shows interest in how much money the elderly person is spending
• Missing belongings and property
• An elderly person does not know or understand their financial situation

You must speak with your loved one about their financial situation. You do not want them to be experiencing financial abuse while living in a nursing home. Keep close attention to the risks and signs of financial abuse that have been listed above, and always be well-informed on your loved one’s mental, emotional, and financial well-being.

Las Vegas Nursing Home Frequently Asked Questions

What are the common types of nursing home abuse and neglect, and how can a lawyer help?

As an experienced lawyer from a Las Vegas, NV nursing home law firm can tell you, there are common types of nursing home abuse that many victims experience such as physical abuse, emotional abuse, financial abuse and psychological abuse. If you suspect that your loved one has been a victim of nursing home abuse or neglect, it is crucial to speak with a lawyer who specializes in this area of law. A nursing home lawyer can help you gather evidence, investigate the matter, and bring a legal action against the responsible parties. A lawyer can also help you obtain compensation for damages, such as medical expenses, pain and suffering, and punitive damages.

What are the signs of nursing home abuse and neglect, and when should I contact a nursing home lawyer?

Signs of nursing home abuse and neglect can vary depending on the type of abuse or neglect. Physical abuse may show up as unexplained bruises, cuts, or broken bones. Emotional abuse can manifest as depression, anxiety, or sudden behavioral changes. Neglect may show up as bedsores, malnutrition, or dehydration. Examples of financial abuse include attempting to have a will changed or seizure of confidential bank information. If you suspect any of these signs, you should contact a nursing home lawyer right away to help you investigate and pursue legal action.

What is the process of filing a nursing home abuse or neglect lawsuit, and what can I expect?

The process of filing a nursing home abuse or neglect lawsuit typically starts with a consultation with a nursing home lawyer. During this consultation, the lawyer will gather information about the case, discuss the potential legal options, and provide an assessment of the likelihood of success. If you decide to move forward with a lawsuit, the lawyer will file a complaint with the court and begin the discovery process to gather evidence. The case may then proceed to mediation, settlement negotiations, or trial, depending on the circumstances. You can expect a lawyer to give you the necessary information and important updates you need to know regarding your case.

What should I do if I suspect nursing home abuse or neglect but don’t have any evidence?

If you suspect nursing home abuse or neglect but don’t have any evidence, you should contact a nursing home lawyer right away. A lawyer can help you gather evidence and investigate the matter. Even if you don’t have direct evidence of abuse or neglect, there may be other indicators, such as unexplained injuries, sudden changes in behavior, or missing valuables. You can rely on an experienced lawyer to pursue these investigations and inform you of any developments. 

How can I protect my loved one from nursing home abuse and neglect?

There are several steps you can take to protect your loved one from nursing home abuse and neglect. First, research potential nursing homes carefully, checking reviews and ratings. To get a better sense of how the nursing home operates, you should schedule multiple visits at different parts of the day. Third, watch for signs of abuse and neglect, and report any suspicions immediately to the nursing home staff and a nursing home lawyer. Finally, stay involved in your loved one’s care and advocate for their needs and rights. By taking these steps, you can help prevent nursing home abuse and neglect and ensure that your loved one receives the care and respect they deserve.

A good nursing home law firm in Las Vegas, Nevada will take all of this information into account and develop a solid case for you. We at Eric Roy Law Firm utilize creative solutions for complex cases. We always keep our client’s needs in mind and will fight for the justice you deserve. Call 702-423-3333 to get your free consultation started!