Las Vegas Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer
Nursing homes provide a very important service in the United States, as more than 3 million people live in them in the country today. According to the U.S. Department of Health & Human Resources, about 40% of adults will enter a nursing home at some point in their lives, and it’s very important for their families to know how to spot nursing home abuse when it occurs. About one in every six nursing home resident suffers some kind of abuse or neglect every year in the United States, and victims of elder abuse are 300% more likely to die within three years of suffering abuse than those who don’t experience abuse.
If you believe your elderly loved one is being abused, contact one of our Las Vegas nursing home abuse lawyers and remove your loved one from danger. Panish | Shea | Ravipudi LLP has years of experience in these cases and can offer you expert advice. If you take a tour of a possible nursing home, ask the residents a few questions about their experiences. Talk to the staff and ask if they like working in the nursing home, or if they would like to see things changed. Pay close attention to how these individuals respond to your questions, as some may be on guard for fear of reprisals.
What is Nursing Home Abuse?
Nursing home abuse occurs when elderly patients of long-term care facilities suffer physical, emotional, and psychological harm caused by caregivers’ negligence or intentional acts. Depending on the case, a nursing home facility, the owners, an employee or a nurse could be held liable for causing your loved one’s harm.
Signs and Symptoms of Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect
It’s important to realize that elderly residents of nursing homes may not have the ability to stop abuse on their own. Many elderly nursing home patients require constant medical assistance and supervision, while others may be more independent. It often falls to the relatives of nursing home patients to spot abuse and put a stop to it. If you notice sudden changes in an elderly loved one’s behavior, take these cues seriously to determine if abuse is happening. Some signs and symptoms that an abused elderly person may show could include being withdrawn, distracted, unfocused, irritable or depressed. See if your loved one appears fearful, especially in the presence of any staff members.
Other physical signs of neglect or abuse include bedsores, unexplained bruises, broken bones, weight loss, and other physical injuries that your loved one may not explain or appear nervous when asked about them. If your loved one has complaints, take them seriously and investigate. Discuss your case with a Las Vegas nursing home abuse attorney from our law firm for guidance on an injury claim.
Common Forms of Elder Abuse
Elder abuse can be inflicted in different ways, not all abuse is reflected as injuries, it could also include victims being psychologically or financially abused. Common forms of elder abuse can include:
- Physical abuse, such as hitting, kicking or pushing
- Sexual abuse
- Verbal and emotional abuse
- Psychological torment, including preying upon nursing home residents with neurological disorders.
- Neglect, such as failing to reposition bedridden patients or allowing residents to remain in soiled clothing and sheets.
- Financial exploitation. Nursing home staff may attempt to steal cash or valuables from a resident or may steal a resident’s personal information to commit financial fraud.
If you and your family are considering a nursing home for an elderly loved one, it’s vital to do your research and find one with a stellar track record. About 44% of elderly nursing home patients report abuse at some point during their residency, and almost all of them (95%) report witnessing the abuse of another resident. 
What if I Suspect My Loved One is Being Abused?
Your first priority after identifying elder or nursing home abuse is to remove your loved one from the dangerous situation as soon as possible. Contact the police to report the abuse and have your loved one transferred to a safe place. Once you handle this, meet with a reliable Las Vegas nursing home abuse lawyer to start building your lawsuit.
If a specific individual, such as a nursing home employee or nurse, abused your loved one, you can file a personal injury lawsuit in Las Vegas against the individual. He or she may also face criminal prosecution from the state of Nevada. If the nursing home did not conduct an appropriate background screening of an employee who abused a resident, the nursing home may also face liability. Nursing homes must also ensure facilities are clean, well-maintained, and provide an acceptable level of care to residents.
Contact a Las Vegas Nursing Home Abuse Attorney
The elder abuse lawyers at Panish | Shea | Ravipudi LLP are available if your loved one has suffered abuse or neglect in a nursing home in Las Vegas. Contact our team today to schedule a free consultation with one of our attorneys. Once we review the details of your case, we can help you determine your best course of legal action.