Las Vegas Nursing Home Lawyer
When a family places a loved one in a nursing home or an assisted living facility, it trusts that the facility will properly care for the loved one and keep him safe and healthy. It is both heartbreaking and infuriating for a family to learn that a facility has betrayed its trust
To obtain justice in such a case, the family of an injured loved one needs the experience, advice, and assistance of a Las Vegas nursing home abuse attorney knowledgeable about the duties and responsibilities of nursing home facilities and knows how to hold a facility responsible for the mistreatment of a resident.
Telltale Signs of Neglect
When you visit your loved ones at the nursing home, certain symptoms may indicate that proper care is lacking. These symptoms include:
- Bedsores
- Unexplained weight loss
- Bruises, broken bones or other injuries
- Evidence of emotional distress
- Depression or listlessness
- Sudden increase in the use of sedatives
Bedsores are a particularly common problem, as so many residents of nursing homes or assisted living facilities are living with reduced mobility. In such cases, it is the responsibility of the facility’s staff to make sure the residents receive sufficient movement each and every day to avoid the pain and suffering caused by bedsores.
Resident Abuse
Sometimes, unfortunately, nursing home residents can be subjected to outright abuse, both physical and psychological, at the hands of the nursing home staff.
It is the responsibility of all licensed nursing homes and assisted living facilities to employ personnel who have been specifically trained to handle these challenges related to caring for the elderly who suffer from both physical and mental limitations. If you discover that your loved one has been subjected to any form of mistreatment, then the facility must be held accountable through a nursing home abuse lawyer in Las Vegas.
In response to an increase in nursing home abuse in recent years, the federal government and many state governments have passed laws setting standards for such facilities. Nevada law provides that the staff of a residential facility must not:
- Use restraints on any resident;
- Lock a resident in a room inside the facility; or
- Provide sedatives to a resident unless that sedative prescribed for that resident by a physician.
The law also states if any employee of the facility suspects an employee of abuse, neglect, isolation or exploitation; the employee must report these concerns to the senior officials of the facility immediately. A nursing home facility may be liable for damages if it violates the Nevada law that regulate its operations.
Theft of Property
Theft of personal property by facility employees from the elderly residents is another serious problem. It warrants the attention of a Las Vegas nursing home lawyer. Nevada law specifically states: an employee of a residential facility must not handle a resident’s money; without first requested in writing by the resident or representative. Also, they must keep an accurate record of all money deposited with the facility.
Talk to a Las Vegas Nursing Home Lawyer Today
Loved ones suffered any kind of abusive treatment at a nursing home facility? Speak with an experienced attorney today. An experienced Las Vegas personal injury attorney will understand all the details of the applicable law and know how to build a case against the health care facility.
The assistance of an experienced nursing home attorney will help you receive just compensation. They will also hold the facility and its staff responsible for any misconduct.