Las Vegas Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers

Help for Victims of Elder Negligence and Nursing Home Abuse

Choosing the right nursing home for your loved ones is often a challenging and stressful process. After finally finding a facility that is affordable and can meet your needs, there is an expectation that your loved ones will not only receive quality care, but also be treated with dignity and respect during their golden years. But this is not the reality we often see.

The Federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services released a report in 2012, which showed that Nevada was one of only two states where every single nursing home statewide was cited with one or more deficiencies by health inspectors.

What we find time and time again is that nursing homes cut corners, neglect patients, and in severe cases, abuse residents.

This is a widespread problem that requires immediate attention. If your loved one has been neglected or abused in a Las Vegas nursing home or assisted living facility, it is important that you take prompt action. Call the Las Vegas injury attorneys at The Husband & Wife Law Team at (702) 380-8000 for more information about protecting your loved one and safeguarding his or her rights.

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Types of Nursing Home Abuse

Here are some of the most common types of nursing home abuse and neglect:

• Physical abuse: Physical abuse is defined as the use of physical force that may result in pain, injury, or even disability. Physical abuse may include acts of violence as beating, pushing, shoving, pinching, shaking, burning, etc.
• Sexual abuse: Sexual abuse is defined as unwanted or non-consensual sexual contact of any kind. Sexual contact with any person incapable of giving consent is also considered sexual abuse.
• Emotional abuse: Emotional or psychological abuse is defined as the infliction of anguish, pain, or distress through verbal or nonverbal acts. Examples of such abuse include verbal abuse, insults, humiliation, intimidation, and harassment. Isolating someone deliberately is also a form psychological abuse.
• Neglect: This may include failing to provide life's basic necessities to an elder, such as nutrition, clothing, shelter, medicine, personal hygiene, and safety.
• Financial abuse: Financial abuse is the illegal or improper use of a nursing home resident's funds, property, or assets. Examples include illegal use of the person's checks or credit cards, stealing their money or possessions, forgery or forcing the older person into signing legal documents.

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The Problem of Nursing Home Abuse

Nevada has a disturbing track record of nursing home abuse and neglect. The Federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services released a report in 2012, which showed that Nevada was one of only two states where every single nursing home statewide was cited with one or more deficiencies by health inspectors. One in three Nevada nursing homes was cited for a severe deficiency involving residents suffering actual harm and imminent danger.

It is very difficult to choose a nursing home in Nevada that has not been cited for negligence or wrongdoing in the past few years. This is the tragic and often underreported reality for Nevada seniors.

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Action You Can Take in Las Vegas

There are steps you can take to reduce the chances of abuse and neglect. Visit your loved one often and at different times of day. It can prove helpful to meet staff members from every shift. The staff is more likely to treat your family member well if they know you could show up at any time.

Ask questions. If you notice bruises or injuries, ask to see the medical report. Make sure they are documenting incidents and that you are notified when something goes wrong. If you are concerned with the care your loved one is receiving, report them to the home's management. Look for signs of abuse. Look for physical injuries and changes to your loved one’s behavior. If something seems out of the ordinary, don’t be afraid to ask questions or take action.

If your loved one has suffered an injury that has not been reported, it could be a sign of abuse. If someone is in immediate danger, call 911. You can report abuse further by contacting the Nevada Adult Protective Services agency. It is also advisable to discuss your options with a long-term care ombudsman. Contact an experienced Las Vegas nursing home abuse attorney at (702) 380-8000 to obtain more information about pursuing your legal rights.

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Additional Information

• Long Term Care (LTC) Ombudsman Program
• Programs for Seniors - Aging and Disability Services Division - Nevada
• Elder Abuse - MedlinePlus