Many relatives of aging family members in the Bronx face the tough task of finding the best and most dependable nursing home or long-term care facility. Regrettably, even if you spend months researching to find the perfect place for your elderly parent or family member, nursing home neglect can occur in any situation. For this reason, you must be vigilant to ensure your elderly loved one gets the treatment and care they deserve. If you suspect or see signs of nursing home neglect, contact a skilled Bronx nursing home neglect lawyer immediately.
At Dalli & Marino, LLP, we are committed to defending nursing home residents and their families who have suffered neglect and abuse from nursing home facilities and staff across New York. Since 1996, our firm has held negligent nursing home facilities responsible for their harmful conduct. If you or a loved one suffered nursing home neglect in the Bronx, contact us today to learn your legal avenues toward justice.
What Characterizes Nursing Home Neglect in the Bronx, New York?
According to the Department of Justice, caregiver neglect is the most unreported type of abuse, with only one out of every 57 cases being reported. While nursing home neglect and abuse vary, both are severe and inexcusable crimes against our most vulnerable population.
Abuse within nursing homes can manifest in various ways, including physical assault, sexual abuse, or verbal harassment. Nursing home residents suffer abuse whenever they’re pinched, slapped, molested, or financially exploited.
Nursing home neglect occurs when an elderly adult’s basic needs for care and safety are continuously ignored and disregarded. As a result, too many elderly individuals suffer severe injuries, such as brain injuries, pressure ulcers, bruises, and dislocated joints.
What Are Telling Signs of Nursing Home Neglect?
It’s a sad fact that neglect may occur at any nursing home facility in the Bronx. Unfortunately, our elderly loved ones are often unable to explain the neglect and abuse they’re experiencing, perhaps due to dementia or antipsychotic medication.
Signs that suggest your loved one is experiencing nursing home neglect include:
- Poor hygiene
- Unexplained weight loss
- Bedsores or pressure sores
- Mysterious injuries
- Abandoned housekeeping
- Body, urine, or fecal odors
- Dirty clothes or bed sheets
- Scarce nursing home staff present
One way to check on your elderly loved one at their nursing home residence is to visit outside regular visiting hours. While many nurses and staff are on hand when they’re expecting visitors, showing up unexpectedly may help determine the actual number of staff available to care for your elderly loved one’s needs on a regular basis.
Pressure Ulcers and Bedsores
Often the first indicator of neglect within nursing homes, bedsores (pressure ulcers) are a vital gauge of clinical care. The CDC shows that 2–28 percent of nursing home residents suffer bedsores—a direct result of neglect. Bedsores emerge when the skin is under constant pressure against a surface until blood flow to the area diminishes. Consequently, an ulcer develops and can expand to the muscle and bone at a worrying rate if not treated immediately.
Brain Injuries
Neglect in nursing homes is one of the leading causes of traumatic brain injuries in elderly people. When nursing home residents are defenseless and deserve nothing but respect, it’s distressing to think about their essential needs being overlooked by cruel or uncaring staff. You can protect your elderly family members by being extremely attentive to their nursing home residence and staffing. Brain injuries frequently arise from falls caused by overmedication, hazardously low bed rails, and uncleaned or cluttered floors.
What Damages Are Recoverable in a Nursing Home Neglect Claim?
If you or an elderly loved one has experienced neglect at a Bronx nursing home, it is your legal right to pursue reimbursement through a nursing home neglect lawsuit. At Dalli & Marino, LLP, our seasoned Bronx nursing home neglect lawyers are here to help you obtain the compensation you’re owed and hold negligent nursing home facilities legally responsible. Damages from a nursing home neglect lawsuit are composed of two types: compensatory damages and punitive damages.
Compensatory damages include repayment for:
- Medical expenses
- Physical abuse
- Disfigurement
- Pain and suffering
- Dehydration
- Malnutrition
- Lost wages
Depending on the circumstances, a judge may also award punitive damages in cases that exceed ordinary negligence, like when a nurse maliciously neglects a nursing home resident. This type of compensation is not given to reimburse the victim for losses. Instead, they’re designed to penalize the defendant for atrocious acts and prevent others from acting in the same manner.
Consult Experienced Bronx Nursing Home Neglect Attorneys
If you suspect your elderly loved one has been neglected or abused by nursing home staff members or nurses, do not hesitate to consult with a knowledgeable nursing home neglect attorney. Dalli & Marino nursing home neglect attorneys support communities in the Bronx and throughout New York. We are here to help you through this challenging time and explain your legal possibilities to safeguard your loved one from suffering any further abuse or neglect.
Since 1996, our firm has advocated for elderly adults suffering nursing home neglect and abuse. To speak with an experienced nursing home neglect attorney at Dalli & Marino, LLP, schedule a free case review by calling 888-465-8790 or completing our contact form.
