RHODE ISLAND NURSING HOME NEGLIGENCE ATTORNEY
The decision to place an elderly loved one in a nursing home is one of the most difficult choices you may ever need to make, but it is also one of the most important. A nursing home with a well-trained staff can provide your loved one with proper care and treatment, and can give you peace of mind between visits. Unfortunately, this is not the case with all nursing homes.
At Marasco & Nesselbush, our Rhode Island personal injury attorneys provide our clients with compassionate and effective legal representation when faced with complex legal matters relating to nursing home abuse or neglect. We are here to hold negligent nursing homes accountable for the harm they have caused to your loved ones.
TYPES OF ELDER ABUSE
The Rhode Island Department of Health defines elder abuse as harm done to adults 60 years of age or older. There are seven categories of elder abuse, according to the National Center on Elder Abuse (NCEA). These include:
- Physical Abuse – Use of force to threaten or physically injure a vulnerable elder;
- Emotional Abuse – Threats, isolation, verbal attacks, rejection, or other belittling actions that could cause distress, pain, or mental anguish to an older adult;
- Sexual Abuse – Tricked, threatened, forced, or otherwise coerced sexual contact on a vulnerable older adult, including any who are not able to consent;
- Exploitation – Fraud, theft, neglect, or misuse of authority or use of undue influence to gain control over an elder’s money or property;
- Neglect – A caregiver’s failure or refusal to provide for the physical/medical or emotional needs and/or safety of a vulnerable older adult;
- Abandonment – A caregiver’s desertion of a frail or vulnerable older adult;
- Self-Neglect – Being unable to understand the consequences of one’s own actions or inaction (and a caregiver’s failure to recognize such circumstances), which could lead to harm or endangerment.
CAUSES OF ASSISTED LIVING NEGLECT & ABUSE
Any combination of the above forms of elder abuse may occur at a nursing home facility and can threaten the health and safety of an elder. There are a variety of factors that may lead to such unlawful and harmful actions, including:
- understaffing;
- improperly trained staff;
- staff member fatigue, miscommunication, and/or drug/alcohol use;
- poor hiring practices; and/or
- insufficient administrative oversight.
Nursing homes often receive funding from the state and federal governments, as well as the families or estates of residents. However, some negligent nursing home administrators and executives cut corners to maximize their own profits. Instead of ensuring that their facility and its employees provide residents with the quality of care and attention they deserve, these negligent nursing homes may hire fewer people, employ poorly trained or unqualified people, fail to properly supervise their employees, or even hire workers with dangerous criminal backgrounds. Negligent nursing homes may fail to properly maintain and/or clean their facility; they may overmedicate their residents to limit activity; or they may fail to provide enough food, proper sanitation, or other basic care.
DO I HAVE A CASE?
If you think you may have a car accident case, contact us now for a FREE consultation
- Rhode Island
- Car Accident Lawyer
- Rhode Island Wrongful Death Lawyers
- Bicycle Accident Lawyer
- Boat Accident Lawyer
- Truck Accident Lawyer
- Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
- Social Security Lawyer
- Catastrophic Injury Lawyer
- Medical Malpractice Lawyer
- Workers Compensation Lawyer
- Personal Injury Lawyer
- Product Liability Lawyer
- Premises Liability
SIGNS OF ELDER ABUSE AND NEGLECT
It is important to be aware of the potential signs of abuse and neglect in order to protect your loved ones. Many elders never report abuse or neglect out of fear that a caregiver will retaliate. The following warning signs may point to nursing home abuse, neglect, and/or negligent facility management:
- Dirty or messy rooms;
- Facility in disrepair;
- Very few medical personnel, or lack of medical or dental care;
- Malnutrition, constant hunger, or begging for food;
- Dehydration;
- Slap or restraint marks;
- Unexplained bruises or other injuries;
- Bed sores;
- Poor personal hygiene, or dirty or torn clothes;
- Sudden change/alterations in accounts/finances/will;
- Fearfulness, listlessness, depression, and/or fatigue, or dramatic change in affect;
- Unexplained sexually transmitted diseases, or bruises around the genital area or breasts;
- Residents left unattended for long periods of time;
- Wrongful death after unusual and unexpected circumstances.
RI NURSING HOME ABUSE ATTORNEY COMMITTED TO OBTAINING JUSTICE
Our elders deserve to be given the best quality of care and to be treated with the utmost respect. At Marasco & Nesselbush, our experienced attorneys are dedicated to holding negligent nursing homes and staff accountable for the wrongs they have committed against the elders in their care. We are committed to providing every client with the personal attention and skilled legal representation they deserve. To learn more about how we can protect your loved ones, please fill out the free case evaluation form on this page, or call us today at 401-443-2999 for a free consultation. We have offices conveniently located in Warwick, Wakefield, Woonsocket, and Providence and are here to help you.
CLIENT TESTIMONIALS
Communication is key for me, and my M&N team was on point with the level of communication they provided. The get-well cards and flowers after surgery were just a special touch that brightened my day. I wasn’t treated like another number or another case, they really made me feel like family. They really care for you and your wellbeing. Words will never express but I will forever be grateful for all they have done for me. Thank you !!!!!”
– Heather P.