Families Have Legal Recourse Following Elder Abuse

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Although it is something that no one ever hopes to experience, relatives of elder abuse victims can take heart that they have legal recourse in the event that their loved one is mistreated while staying at a nursing home.

A Newburg, Ore. man recently reported that his father was neglected at the nursing home where he was living, which he said caused his father’s health to go “downhill fast” after he and his sister made the decision to put him in a nursing and rehabilitation facility.

“Not a day goes by when I don’t feel guilty for leaving him there,” said Jeff, whose last name was not disclosed. “This Care center is either understaffed or the employees just don’t seem to care.”

His father told him that “no one responds” when he hits the “call” button.

“So one day during a visit, I hit the button, and he was right — it took more than an hour for someone to come by,” he said.

Due to congestive heart failure, Jeff’s father is not able to walk without assistance, even if he just needs to go to the bathroom.

“His elderly roommate had to walk my dad to the bathroom and then it took forever for someone to come back and help him to his bed,” he said.

He added that it’s not just a problem trying to get help in the patients’ bedrooms but also when they try to go find help.

“Another time an orderly was on the phone in the evening chatting with someone and wouldn’t even come to the desk to answer my question,” Jeff said. “He looked right at me and still didn’t talk with us or tell us he would be with us shortly. After waiting for more than 10 minutes, we just went to my father’s room and still no one came to see what we needed.”

Stories like Jeff’s highlight just why it is so important to properly vet a nursing home before choosing one for a family member.

However, there is legal recourse.

Jury Awards $575,000 Nursing Home Abuse Settlement

A 77-year-old woman who was staying at the Evergreen Care Center in Chicago, Ill. after having a stroke was found by her family covered in bed sores because the staff allegedly failed to turn her regularly to avoid such a problem. They also found the center was incredibly unsanitary and found that her bed linens were soiled without being changed.

The family sued the nursing home and settled with the family for $575,000. It was then taken over by new management, which hired a better-equipped staff.

“A nursing home has an obligation to report certain conditions,” said Vania Beard, the woman’s granddaughter. “The state is supposed to investigate complaints from hospitals, family members and law enforcement agencies and post those results on the web.”

“I didn’t do my research,” she added.

Free Legal Help for Nursing Home Abuse

If you or a loved one experienced abuse or neglect at a nursing home, assisted living facility or other board and care home within the past three years, you may be eligible to take legal action. Submit your information to a nursing home abuse lawyer who will make sure your loved one receives the compensation and care they deserve and help prevent the same injuries from happening to others.  There is no charge for this review. Get help today!