Our Portland Nursing Home Malpractice Lawyer Explains Important Points You Should Know
We trust nursing homes with caring for our loved ones because they advertise that they will provide them with safer, more dignified lives. Many families may not be able to offer their loved ones the necessary care or treatment for their conditions or guarantee their day to day safety. Because of this, they entrust them in the care of nursing homes and their employees. Our Portland nursing home malpractice lawyer explains this important points for spotting Oregon nursing home abuse and neglect.
Oregon nursing home residents are society’s most vulnerable members, and as such, they require and deserve specialized care, treatment and attention. And, while there are Oregon nursing homes providing wonderful care, it is an unfortunate truth that there are many nursing homes denying loved ones the level of care promised. In these situations, the treatment or neglect rises to the level of negligence or outright abuse. Every year, elder abuse affects about 5 million Americans.
Types of Nursing Home Abuse or Neglect
The Elder Justice Roadmap report defines elder abuse as the “physical, sexual, or psychological abuse, as well as neglect, abandonments, and financial exploitation of an older person by another person or entity, that occurs in any setting (e.g. home, community, or facility), either in a relationship where there is an expectation of trust and/or when an older person is targeted based on age or disability.”
There are far too many types of abuse and neglect, which include:
- Physical/Retributive Abuse
- Mental Abuse
- Bedsores
- Unexplained Death
- Sexual Abuse
- Dehydration/Malnutrition
- Wandering/Elopement
- Economic exploitation
Risk Factors
Particular factors place a nursing home resident at greater risk of abuse. These include:
- Low social support/family involvement in care
- Dementia or other cognitive deficiencies
- Poor physical stamina
- Lower income or poverty
- Women are abused at a rate more greatly reported than men
Warning Signs of Nursing Home Abuse or Neglect in Oregon Nursing Homes
Abuse and neglect can take many forms. In an already at risk population, signs may be hard to spot. Knowing how to recognize the signs of abuse or neglect is important. These may include:
- Cuts or bruises of unknown origin
- Broken or chipped teeth
- broken bones, especially of the arm
- Sudden changes in mood or behavior, especially anxiety or lashing out in interactions with nursing home employees
- changes in behavior of nursing home staff towards family members or the resident
- unexplained changes in the behavior of the resident to certain staff members
Many negligent nursing homes and employees get away with negligence and abuse. It is important for families of nursing home residents to know how to spot the signs. If you suspect a loved one is being neglected or abused by their nursing home, we are here to help you and your loved one navigate the legal system, in order to get justice and regain dignity.
Ask our Portland Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer for Help with Your Case
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.
