As members of Brooklyn’s community grow older, many families face a challenging decision to find a caring and trustworthy nursing home or long-term assisted living facility. No matter how detailed your research may be to locate the perfect location for your elderly loved one, the sad reality is that nursing home neglect can occur when you least expect it. That is why you must be cautious to ensure your loved one receives the attention and care they deserve. If you suspect or notice signs that may be neglect, reach out to an experienced Brooklyn nursing home neglect attorney right away.
At Dalli & Marino, LLP, we are dedicated to defending nursing home residents and their families against the abuse and injustices that nursing home facilities and staff in Brooklyn, New York, have inflicted upon them. For over two decades, our firm has fought for and obtained numerous favorable settlements and verdicts for clients who have suffered from neglect in nursing homes. If you or a loved one were affected by nursing home neglect in Brooklyn, please contact us to learn how we can help.
What Establishes Nursing Home Neglect in Brooklyn, NY?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) defines nursing home neglect as the failure to meet an older adult’s basic needs, including food, water, clothing, hygiene, shelter, and basic medical care. While both are grave and intolerable offenses, nursing home neglect is different from abuse.
Nursing home abuse may involve physical assault, verbal harassment, or sexual abuse. Elderly adults may be exposed to abuse when smacked, pinched, financially exploited, or molested.
Nursing home neglect happens when a resident’s basic needs for security and care are overlooked. As a result, too many elderly people endure serious injuries involving bedsores, dislocated limbs, bruises, and brain injuries.
What Are Signs of Nursing Home Neglect?
Nursing home neglect may occur at any facility in Brooklyn. Sadly, many of our elderly loved ones are unable to share with us that they’re suffering. For example, one-third of nursing home residents take anti-psychotic medication, which may inhibit their ability to talk. Others may suffer from dementia or fear retaliation for complaining.
Telling signs of nursing home neglect to watch for include:
- Weight loss
- Poor hygiene
- Bedsores
- Unexplained injuries
- Dirty clothing
- Soiled bed sheets
- Body, urine, or fecal odors
- Few staff members available
Many Brooklyn nursing homes have visiting hours, during which they are assiduously staffed. One way to find out if your loved one is being treated with care is to surprise them and visit outside of regular visiting hours to learn how the actual staffing situation is when visitors are unexpected.
Bedsores and Pressure Sores
Pressure ulcers, commonly called bedsores, are severe skin conditions and a key gauge of treatment within a nursing home. The CDC estimates that between 2% to 28% of long-term care residents endure bedsores, which often indicate neglect.
Bedsores develop when blood flow to the skin is cut off for more than 2 to 3 hours. The unrelieved pressure causes the skin to die, and a painful ulcer develops. Bedsores can proliferate and become deep, extending into the muscle and bone if not treated effectively.
Brain Injuries
Brain injuries are some of the most severe implications of neglect in Brooklyn nursing homes. A resident may fall due to short bed rails, a slippery floor, or improper medication distribution. Nursing home staff have a huge responsibility to protect elderly residents and care for them when they’re incapacitated by dementia, illness, and injuries. If they disregard this responsibility to take care, the consequences can be catastrophic and sometimes fatal.
Compensation for Nursing Home Neglect Victims in Brooklyn
The Brooklyn nursing home neglect lawyers at Dalli & Marino, LLP are passionate advocates for nursing home residents who suffer injuries from abuse and neglect. We fight for our clients in Brooklyn to secure full and fair compensation for their losses through legal action. Compensation from a neglect lawsuit consists of two classifications: compensatory damages and punitive damages.
Compensatory damages include repayment for:
- Nursing home negligence
- Medical expenses
- Physical abuse
- Pain and suffering
- Malnutrition
- Dehydration
- Disfigurement
- Lost wages
Depending on the case, a judge may grant punitive damages in cases that surmount ordinary negligence. For example, if a nurse intentionally abuses and neglects an elderly resident, a judge may award punitive damages. Keep in mind punitive damages are not granted for offsetting losses, but to penalize the defendant for outrageous acts and discourage others from acting in the same manner.
Speak with Highly Regarded Brooklyn Nursing Home Neglect Lawyers
Suppose your elderly loved one has displayed any indications that suggest neglect, such as bedsores or unexplained injuries. In that case, it is essential to contact a knowledgeable and experienced nursing home neglect lawyer without delay.
Dalli & Marino, LLP nursing home neglect attorneys are committed to serving the communities in Brooklyn and New York. While every nursing home neglect case is unique with varying details surrounding the case, we are here to advise you on your legal options and help safeguard your loved one from suffering additional abuse and neglect.
Since 1996, we have advocated and fought for injured and vulnerable people across New York, providing the highest personal service and legal advocacy level. To speak with an experienced and compassionate nursing home neglect attorney at Dalli & Marino, LLP, schedule a free case review by calling 888-465-8790 or completing our contact form.
