Understanding Neglect in Oregon Nursing Homes, Explained by Portland Nursing Home Neglect Lawyer
Nursing home abuse and neglect is a serious problem. According to the National Counsel on Aging, approximately 1 in 10 Americans over the age of 60 have been abused which translates into as many as 5 million people each year. One of the most common forms of nursing home abuse and elder abuse is actually neglect. There are different forms of neglect, but generally neglect is considered to be a deprivation of a need that a resident has. This could be intentional or unintentional. There are many signs of neglect and causes, all which could result in liability for a nursing home. Learn about neglect in Oregon nursing homes from our Portland nursing home neglect lawyer.
It is important to know about neglect for several reasons. First, if you are a resident of a nursing home, assisted living facility, or rehabilitation center, you need to know what to look out for to ensure that you are not the victim of neglect. It may sound obvious when it is explained here in writing, but living through the situation can be more difficult to identify. We’ll provide you with the information that you need to understand how neglect works. Second, if you have a loved one in a nursing home, you should know how neglect works to protect your loved one’s rights. This includes being able to identify neglect and take action to prevent it, such as calling our Portland nursing home neglect lawyer for help.
What is Neglect in an Oregon Nursing Home?
There are many different forms of neglect. Generally there are two types, one being unintentional neglect and one being intentional neglect. Sometimes there are called passive neglect or willful deprivation. In either event, a resident is not receiving the care and treatment that the resident deserves.
Intentional neglect or willful deprivation is when a provider intentionally, voluntarily, and knowingly fails to provide a resident medication, medical care, food, water, assistance, therapeutic devices, or other essential needs including just basic hygiene. A resident could suffer serious personal injuries due to this. It could be because a staff member does not like the resident, or a staff member is “punishing” a resident for other conduct. Other types a resident could be needy and require unsavory assistance such as with bathroom hygiene, which a staff member may not want to do. When a staff member neglects a resident to avoid these obligations, it can be intentional neglect.
Unintentional neglect or passive neglect is when a nursing home just fails to provide the care and assistance that a resident needs. This could be due to understaffing or a lack of assistance at the facility. Other times a resident could just be forgotten and a nursing home may just fail to properly protect their rights. Sometimes nursing homes and their staffs just forget about a resident which is what can cause serious personal injuries.
Causes of Neglect in Oregon Nursing Homes
Our Portland nursing home neglect lawyer knows that neglect in Oregon nursing homes can be caused by a lot of different factors. Some of the most common factors include the following:
- Understaffing or inadequate staffing, especially when a nursing home tries to save money
- Negligent hiring including bad employees
- Poor training of employees
- Inadequate supervision of employees
- Negligent healthcare and treatment
- Failing to provide enough supplies to individuals
- Inadequate help
- Too many residents
- Failure to monitor residents
- Disorganized and not addressing issues with residents who may need help
- Failing to properly categorize and track residents, and
- Many other types of issues with residents and staffing.
Were You or a Loved One a Victim of Nursing Home Neglect in Oregon? We Can Help
If you or a loved one have been seriously injured or killed as a result of nursing home abuse or neglect contact the Oregon Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers at Kuhlman Law at our number below or fill out the intake form. We offer a free initial case evaluation and handle cases on a contingency fee which means that you pay no money unless we recover.
Our law firm handles cases throughout the state including Bend and Portland Oregon, Redmond, Central Oregon, Sisters, Madras, Multnomah County, Deschutes County, Salem, Eugene, Corvallis, Lane County, Medford, Gresham, La Grande, Albany, Medford, Beaverton, Umatilla, Pendleton, Cottage Grove, Florence, Oregon City, Springfield, Keizer, Grants Pass, McMinnville, Tualatin, West Linn, Forest Grove, Wilsonville, Newberg, Roseburg, Lake Oswego, Klamath Falls, Happy Valley, Tigard, Ashland, Milwakie, Coos Bay, The Dalles, St. Helens, Sherwood, Central Point, Canby, Troutdale, Hermiston, Silverton, Hood River, Newport, Prineville, Astoria, Tillamook, Lincoln City, Hillsboro, and Vancouver, Washington.
We also have an office in Minneapolis, Minnesota and take Nursing Home Abuse cases throughout the Twin Cities, including St. Paul, Hennepin County, Ramsey County, Dakota County, Washington County, Anoka County, Scott County, Blaine, Stillwater, and Saint Paul Minnesota.
Please act quickly, there is a limited time (Statute of Limitations) in which you can bring a claim under the law.
