Over recent years, Staten Island has seen a significant increase in its elderly population. An increasing number of older “Baby Boomers” are moving into nursing homes and long-term care facilities, where some reside for many years. Sadly, as the nursing home population has increased, so has the number of nursing home neglect cases. Even as government agencies have furthered their oversight efforts, over 5 million nursing home residents suffer neglect or abuse in the United States each year.
Nursing home neglect goes mostly unreported because elderly residents may not understand the level of care they deserve or cannot communicate with their loved ones about the neglect they suffer. As the COVID-19 pandemic has tragically shown, nursing home residents are the most vulnerable people.
At Dalli & Marino, LLP, our Staten Island nursing home abuse lawyers are committed to helping nursing home residents and their families fight for justice against the nursing home facilities and staff who have wronged them. Our positive track record of successful verdicts and settlements demonstrates our commitment to our clients. If you suspect nursing home neglect in Staten Island, please contact us right away.
What is Considered Nursing Home Neglect in Staten Island, NY?
Nursing home neglect differs from abuse; however, both are serious and intolerable offenses. Nursing home abuse may involve physical assault, molestation, or verbal harassment. Elderly adults may be subjected to nursing home abuse when they are slapped, pushed, pinched, or sexually assaulted.
Neglect in nursing homes occurs when a resident’s needs for care and safety are ignored. Consequently, too many elderly individuals suffer severe injuries, including bedsores, fractures, bruises, and brain injuries. If you are looking for an experienced nursing home abuse attorney in Staten Island, NY contact Dalli & Marino, LLP today to get started on your case.
What Are the Signs of Nursing Home Neglect?
Neglect may occur at any nursing home in Staten Island. Regrettably, many of our elderly loved ones cannot share with us about the mistreatment they’re suffering. For instance, some nursing home residents may not be able to talk because of dementia or fear of retaliation for complaining.
Signs that may indicate your loved one suffers from neglect include:
- Poor personal hygiene
- Bedsores
- Weight loss
- Neglected housekeeping
- Body, urine, or fecal odors
- Soiled clothes or bed sheets
- Mysterious injuries
- Few nursing staff members present
Many nursing homes in Staten Island have visiting hours, throughout which they are diligently staffed. One way to discover whether your loved one is being provided proper care is to visit them outside of visiting hours to determine the number of staff on hand.
Bedsores & Nursing Home Neglect
Bedsores, or pressure ulcers, are severe health conditions and a key measure of care quality in a nursing home. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 2% to 28% of long-term care residents suffer bedsores, which are frequently a direct consequence of neglect. Bedsores develop from the skin’s unrelieved pressure against a surface that decreases the blood flow to the area. As a result, an ulcer develops and can extend to the muscle and bone at an alarming rate if not treated. Contact our Staten Island nursing home neglect attorneys today for a free consultation.
Brain Injuries in Nursing Homes
Nursing home neglect is one of the significant causes of brain injuries in elderly adults. When elderly residents are their most vulnerable and deserve the most respect, it’s heartbreaking to consider their needs neglected and ignored by staff. You can defend your elderly loved ones by being hyper-aware of their nursing home facility and staff conditions. Often, brain injuries result from improper bed rails, overmedication, and uncleaned wet floors that lead to falls. Contact a Staten Island nursing home abuse lawyer for legal representation today.
What Damages Are Available in a Nursing Home Abuse Lawsuit in Staten Island?
Suppose you or your loved one suffered from nursing home neglect in Staten Island. In that case, you might be entitled to compensation through a neglect lawsuit against the facility or staff members responsible.
The Staten Island nursing home abuse attorneys at Dalli & Marino, LLP advocate vigorously for clients in Staten Island to obtain full and just compensation for their suffering through a lawsuit. Damages from a neglect lawsuit are composed of two categories: compensatory damages and punitive damages.
Compensatory damages include reimbursement for:
- Nursing home negligence
- Pain and suffering
- Medical expenses
- Physical abuse
- Disfigurement
- Dehydration
- Malnutrition
- Lost wages
A judge may award punitive damages in cases that surpass ordinary negligence, like if a nurse intentionally and maliciously neglects or abuses an elderly resident. Punitive damages are not awarded for compensating losses, but to punish the defendant for egregious acts and deter others from behaving similarly. Call our well-experienced nursing home abuse lawyers in Staten Island, NY for a free case evaluation.
Contact Our Compassionate Nursing Home Abuse Attorneys in Staten Island, NY for a Free Consultation
If your elderly loved one has shown any signs of bedsores or other symptoms of nursing home neglect, it is critical to discuss your situation with a dedicated and knowledgeable Staten Island nursing home abuse attorney. Dalli & Marino, LLP nursing home neglect lawyers serve the communities in Staten Island and New York. While we cannot generalize the value of your nursing home neglect case without knowing the circumstances, we are happy to speak with you to identify your legal options and protect your loved one from further abuse and neglect.
Since 1995, we have stood by our clients and provided injured people with the highest level of personal service and legal advocacy. To speak with an accomplished nursing home abuse lawyer in Staten Island, NY, at Dalli & Marino, LLP, schedule a free consultation by calling 888-465-8790 or completing our contact form.
