If you suspect that you or someone you know has been subjected to nursing home abuse, you may want assistance to lead you in the right direction for the next steps. What are signs you can look out for that might indicate abuse? Who might be responsible for these harmful and unlawful actions? What steps should you take next for the best possible outcome?
At Dalli & Marino, LLP, we know what to expect. We’ve supported many clients through their nursing home abuse cases, and we may be able to assist you as well. If you’re looking for more information and want to know what to do next, continue reading for our complete breakdown of everything you need to know about nursing home abuse in Huntington, New York.
What Are the Signs of Nursing Home Abuse?
If you’re not able to collect information directly from your nursing home patient or the employees who care for them, you may want to search for other indications of abuse. Some of these hints may include the following:
- Bed sores
- Weight loss or loss of appetite
- Dehydration
- Bruises, cuts, scrapes, burns, sores, bleeding or infections
- Changes in behavior
- Sleep deprivation
- Unsanitary/unclean bedding or living conditions
- Loss of interest in activities
The above may indicate that the nursing home patient has been deprived of food, water, proper medications or medical treatment, or other necessities. Additionally, these signs might hint toward someone intentionally harming them or proper preventative measures have not been taken to prevent your loved one from harming themselves.
Who Is Liable for Nursing Home Abuse in Huntington?
There are many individuals who may potentially be held responsible for your loved one’s injuries and other maltreatment. These people might include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Doctors
- Physicians assistants
- Nurses and nursing technicians
- Contracted vendors and other care providers
- Nursing homes and parent companies
- Custodians
- Groundskeepers
- Maintenance staff
While it may be difficult to determine who is responsible on your own, you might be able to narrow down the group of individuals. If possible, ask the patient if they know who has cared for them, what their titles are, and other relevant information. Otherwise, you may need to use other resources or ask other employees to collect a list of potentially-liable individuals.
Steps to Take for Nursing Home Abuse in Huntington
If you want to take legal action and make the nursing home situation right, we have a few suggestions for the next steps you might want to consider.
Contact the Proper Authorities
If you suspect abuse is taking place, you may want to get into contact with the authorities. In the case of an emergency, please don’t hesitate to call 911. However, if you don’t believe your loved one is in an emergency situation, we recommend contacting Adult Protective Services.
Adult Protective Services may be able to conduct a preliminary screening of the nursing home and employees in question. They might also determine if any of the employees have an existing history of reprimands or complaints that might be relevant to their investigation.
Move Your Loved One to Safety
It’s also essential that you move your loved one to a safer environment if you suspect abuse in their nursing home. This is necessary to give them the correct nutrition, medical attention, and care that they need to remain healthy and maintain a good quality of life.
You may choose to move your loved one into their friend or family member’s home, another temporary living situation where they are able to receive the proper support, or a separate nursing home that you trust. Whatever you decide, remove your loved one from the abusive situation as quickly as possible.
Hire a Huntington Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer
If you want to take legal action, you should strongly consider discussing your concerns and case details with a qualified Huntington nursing home abuse attorney. A medical malpractice or nursing home abuse lawyer may be able to assist you with the following:
- Conduct an investigation
- Collect and analyze evidence
- Identify the value of your claim
- Maximize compensation
- Help with next steps tailored to your case
- Negotiation skills
- Legal knowledge
- Work with other experts, including medical professionals and expert witnesses
- Refer you to medical professionals
- Recommend other resources
If you are interested in putting a halt to your loved one’s abuse, we strongly recommend hiring a qualified nursing home abuse attorney. We do not suggest representing yourself in your legal case, as an attorney is far more likely to represent you accurately, efficiently, and favorably.
Get Justice With Dalli & Marino, LLP Huntington Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers
At Dalli & Marino, LLP, we are committed to giving our clients the compensation and justice they deserve. We have extensive experience in personal injury and medical malpractice law, and we may be able to help you as well. Our legal team also speaks Spanish, so we are able to discuss your case with ease in the language you prefer.
If you would like to hire us to represent you or your loved one in a case, we may be able to help. New York abuse and injury law is no joke, and we would be happy to offer our insight. If you have any questions or want to discuss the details of your case, we are patiently waiting to hear from you. You can call us at (888) 465-8790 or complete our contact form.
