Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers in Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Miller, Hampton, & Hilgendorf is a nursing abuse law firm in Baton Rouge, Louisiana that works with individuals and families whose loved ones have been impacted by nursing home abuse. Nursing home abuse can lead to physical or emotional injury. Other types of nursing home abuse include sexual assault, sexual abuse, or financial exploitation of residents. Residents of nursing homes have a right to receive quality standard of care from adequately staffed nursing homes. Nursing home providers have a responsibility to vet caretakers, to provide proper background checks of caretakers, and to monitor staff for abusive behaviors.
It can feel like an immense betrayal to learn that your loved one has been abused in a nursing home. Miller, Hampton, & Hilgendorf is a nursing home abuse law firm in Baton Rouge, Louisiana that works with victims and families, helping them to seek compensation for their losses when their loved ones have suffered nursing home abuse or neglect. Contact our law firm today to learn more about your options and rights under the law.
Signs of Nursing Home Abuse
What is so alarming about nursing home abuse is that many families don’t realize that their loved one was suffering from abuse until it is too late. Fortunately, there are some warning signs that families can watch for. What are some signs of nursing home abuse?
- Behavioral Changes in Your Loved One. If your loved one appears depressed, withdrawn, sad, or frightened, this could be a sign that something might not be right. However, behavioral changes alone might not always be a sign that something is wrong. Individuals suffering from Alzheimer’s or other conditions could also suffer from these changes. You know your loved one best, though, and if you have a doubt about your loved one’s care, you can always follow up with your family member’s doctor.
- High Staff Turnover and Overworked Staff. Have the nurses and people who work at the nursing home been there for years or only for a short period of time? Do staff appear overworked, busy, or tired? How long is a typical shift? Do staff have adequate supplies to care for your loved one? Long hours, high staff turnover, staff that isn’t available to answer your calls or answer your questions clearly is a bad sign.
- Injuries That Have No Clear Explanation. If you notice injuries in your loved one, and staff at the nursing home can’t give you clear answers about where the injuries came from, this is also a bad sign.
- Lack of Sanitation. Your loved one should be bathed and clean when you come to visit him or her. Many elderly and disabled people in nursing homes rely on staff to provide for their basic daily care and needs. If the nursing home itself shows signs that it isn’t clean, this could be indicative of staff that may be overworked, or a staff that may not be vetted to properly care for the elderly or disabled. If the conditions of the nursing home itself aren’t sanitary, this can also be a problem.
- Any Other Inexplicable Decline. If your loved one suffers from any other form of inexplicable decline, like suddenly suffering from more falls, suddenly takes a turn for the worse without any clear medical explanation, or expresses concerns about the nursing home to you, this could be a sign that abuse might be taking place.
If it is possible, talking to your loved one about nursing home abuse is also important. Speak to your loved one in private and ask him or her if he or she feels safe. If you suspect nursing home abuse, you can report the incident to local police to make a police report. You may also be able to seek compensation from the nursing home for your loved one’s medical expenses, pain and suffering, and other losses your family may have suffered as a result of your loved one’s injuries. Miller, Hampton, & Hilgendorf is a nursing home abuse law firm in Baton Rouge, Louisiana that may be able to help you navigate the claims process. If you have noticed signs that a loved one has been potentially abused in a nursing home, you can always speak to our lawyers to help you understand your rights and the next steps you may be able to take.
Seek Justice for Your Abused Loved One
Was your loved one abused in a nursing home? Do you suspect that a loved one might be suffering from nursing home abuse? The nursing home abuse attorneys at Miller, Hampton, & Hilgendorf in Baton Rouge, Louisiana may be able to assist you with seeking justice for your loved one and seeking damages from the nursing home. If you believe your loved one has been abused, your first priority should be helping your loved one seek appropriate medical care and helping your loved one become safe. Then, contact the nursing home abuse lawyers at Miller, Hampton, & Hilgendorf to learn more about your rights and options under the law.
For more information on nursing home neglect in Baton Rouge, click here.
For more information on wrongful death law in nursing homes, click here.