Staten Island Nursing Home Neglect Lawyer

Do you suspect abuse or neglect?

Nursing homes and similar facilities are covered by many federal and state laws intended to protect their residents from abuse and neglect. Many facilities do their best to meet all legal requirements for the health and safety of their residents, but not all do. This is a large industry with thousands of sites nationwide, many of which have grown quickly and have corporate mandates to keep costs down. Even in this environment it’s shocking that one study estimated that as many as 90% of US nursing homes have staffing levels too low to meet adequate standards of care.

While nursing homes are often thought of as only for old people, those with serious disabilities and those requiring round the clock medical care also use their services. When patients of all types are counted, nationwide more than 1.4 million people live in nursing homes. Despite the fact that many regulations apply to the industry, neglect and abuse of residents still takes place. Tens of thousands of incidents are reported each year. If a member of your family has been injured by abuse or neglect in a nursing home or other care facility, contact a Staten Island attorney with experience.

Because most nursing home residents are elderly, they are neglected and abused at higher rates in these facilities. Most people are not aware of just how serious and common the problem of elder abuse really is. An analysis of cases in New York State reached the startling conclusion that there were 24 unreported cases of abuse for very case filed with authorities.

According to accepted estimates, a total of 4 to 6 million older Americans are physically or psychologically abused or suffer neglect every year. Disabled nursing home residents report neglect and abuse at similar or higher levels. Physical abuse has been reported by roughly half of all people with disabilities, and about 20% of those reporting abuse stated that it had been inflicted by a care provider. Not all of these abuse incidents took place in nursing homes, but many did.

Many forms of neglect exist. Some potential warning signs of neglect include:

–   Lack of food or water (starvation or dehydration)

–   Medication errors (overdose or lack of medication)

–   Lack of hygiene (personal or facility)

–   Lack of protection from others in the nursing home (residents and staff)

–   Lack of proper overall care

–   Lack of proper medical treatment

–   Infections

–   Bed sores

Neglect sometimes leads to abuse, which can also take many forms. Physical abuse by another resident, a staff member, or another person might be obvious, leaving cuts, bruises, or broken bones. Sexual assault might not leave as many physical traces, but could leave the victim withdrawn or depressed. Psychological and emotional abuse can be harder to observe directly but also occur frequently. Financial abuse has become more common, and while it may leave no physical marks it can be just as harmful to the victim.

Caring Staten Island Nursing Home Abuse Attorneys

Nursing homes are responsible for the health and the physical safety of their residents. When they fail in this responsibility, the victim and his family is entitled to recover damages due to the facility’s negligent or abusive actions. When you need help holding a nursing home liable, remember that Kuharski, Levitz, & Giovinazzo are ready to help and are waiting to hear from you.

See Also: Health Care Providers Failure to Diagnose for Any Reasons? Click here.