Gloucester County Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer

Recent data from the National Ombudsman Reporting System shows there are thousands of cases of abuse, gross neglect, and exploitation in nursing homes and long-term facilities. Even with these reports, nursing home neglect may still be underreported. This could be because it is hard to detect. Many elderly victims of maltreatment are unable to communicate the abuse to a family member or nursing home administrator.

If you believe your loved one is experiencing physical, financial, or emotional abuse and neglect, it may be important to talk to a Gloucester County nursing home abuse lawyer immediately. Contact a caring injury attorney today to get what you deserve.

Nursing Home Neglect and Abuse

Nursing home neglect is similar but distinct from nursing home abuse. The term “nursing home abuse” could indicate intentional harm was caused to a patient. Nursing home neglect is usually sub-standard care that results in harm to a patient but may be hard to detect because the damage is not always physical.

Negligence could occur when nursing homes are understaffed or employees are not trained properly. Some of the most common types of nursing home neglect may include:

• Medical neglect: patients receive incorrect medications, missed dosages, or face untreated ailments
• Neglect of basic needs: the nursing home fails to provide adequate food, fluids, and a clean, safe environment
• Emotional and social neglect: patients are left alone for long periods of time, forgotten, or ignored
• Personal hygiene: patients receive little to no aid with hygiene including bathing, brushing teeth, or laundry services

Defining Nursing Home Abuse

An abuse that may occur in a nursing home could be caused by staff, other residents, and even family members. Common types of abuse could be:

• Physical: using force or medication to restrict, inflict pain, or cause injury
• Financial: the unauthorized taking, misuse, or concealment of funds, property, or assets of a senior
• Sexual: any type of non-consensual sexual act
• Verbal: insulting or berating the resident

Failure to provide a senior with the necessary care, intentionally or unintentionally, could put a patient in a life-threatening situation. This may be especially true if the patient relies on others for most needs. A Gloucester County nursing home abuse lawyer could help recognize the signs of abuse and could advocate for families who suspect their elderly loved one is being harmed.

Regulations for Homes in Gloucester County

Gloucester County nursing homes must comply with all federal, state, and local laws to remain certified. Federal and state laws require that nursing home facilities have the proper medical equipment and licensed, certified staff necessary to operate the equipment. All facilities must provide adequate food, water, and a safe and clean environment.

If the Department of Health determines that operational or safety deficiencies exist, it may impose fines, revoke licenses, postpone new patient admissions, or close the facility.

How Gloucester County Nursing Home Abuse Attorneys Could Help

If you have an elderly loved one that you suspect has suffered injury from nursing home abuse, this may be the time to act on it. A Gloucester County nursing home abuse lawyer could be the voice of your loved one – he or she no longer needs to suffer in silence.

Our nursing home abuse attorneys are well-versed in the federal regulations that nursing homes must abide by and could investigate the details of your situation to determine fault. Time is of the essence. Call a New Jersey nursing home abuse attorney today for a free consultation.