What Are The Early Warning Signs Of Nursing Home Abuse In New Orleans Care Facilities?
Nursing home abuse typically falls under three umbrellas: physical, emotional, and financial. Understanding and recognizing these forms of abuse is vital to protecting and enforcing the safety of your vulnerable loved one.
The early warning signs of physical abuse in nursing home facilities is the appearance of unexplained cuts, bruises, or broken bones. If you see frequent cuts and bruises on your loved one and the nursing home facility staff are unable to give reasonable, detailed explanations this could be a huge indication that physical abuse is taking place.
When it comes to financial abuse, a good indicator is to keep track of their personal belongings. If any possessions of value like jewelry have gone missing, it could be indicative of theft. Additionally, if there are unexplained charges to their bank account this is something that should be investigated as soon as possible.
Finally, the earliest signs of emotional abuse can be found by talking with your elderly loved one and observing their behavior. If they have sudden mood changes, or if they exhibit signs of being withdrawn or fearful around certain members of staff, this may indicate emotional abuse.
How Can I Report Suspected Elder Abuse In A New Orleans Nursing Home?
You can report suspected elder abuse to Adult Protective Services (ADS) either through their Elder Abuse line at (833) 577-6532 or you can submit a report through their website.
When it comes to filing a report, you do not need to have extensive evidence or documentation, all that is required is a reasonable suspicion that abuse may be occurring. After a report has been made, the ADS will investigate the situation accordingly.
If you suspect that your loved one is being abused in a nursing home in Louisiana, you need to act today. Hesitation may allow the situation to grow worse or even deadly.
What Types Of Damages Can Families Pursue In Nursing Home Abuse Cases In New Orleans?
The types of damages families can pursue in nursing home abuse cases depend on the specific circumstances of the abuse that has taken place.
Some examples of damages that victims and their families may be entitled to:
- Economic – medical bills for hospitalization, medication, rehabilitation, or the cost of relocation to a different facility.
- Non-economic – pain and suffering, emotional distress, and/or trauma resulting from the abuse.
- Wrongful Death – If the abuse taking place results in the death of your elderly loved one, surviving family members may file a wrongful death claim and seek compensation for funeral or burial expenses, loss of companionship, etc.
If your elderly loved one has been abused in a nursing home and you are unsure of what damages you can legally pursue, you should call Gertler Law Firm today and schedule a Free consultation. We’ll review the details and evidence of your situation, and give you an outline of what you can expect from pursuing your case.
How Do I Gather Evidence To Support A Nursing Home Abuse Lawsuit In New Orleans?
The best way to gather evidence to support your nursing home lawsuit is to start by collecting medical records. Nursing homes are legally required to keep thorough documentation of their residents’ medical treatment. You can request injury reports, medical logs, etc. Anything to establish whether or not they were negligent in their care.
You can also start your own file of medical records for your loved one. Make sure you have any emergency room visits cataloged, take pictures of any unexplained injuries, and write down any concerning behavior you witness. It is important to keep all of your files dated for accuracy.
The next best way to gather evidence to support your nursing home lawsuit is to contact an attorney who has experience handling nursing abuse cases as soon as possible. Evidence can have an expiration date, and the last thing you want is to lose your case or let abuse go unanswered because you waited too long to seek legal representation.
