More than a million people are treated in nursing homes every year in the United States, and the majority of them are treated very well: they receive the correct dosage of their medications and get the social as well as the medical care they need. Unfortunately, some seniors and disabled people go into nursing homes and don’t receive the care they deserve; some are left unattended for days, and others receive the wrong medications. Because these vulnerable people are often not able to speak for themselves, they need a skilled medical malpractice attorney in Surprise, AZ to stand up for them.
Family members are typically the first to notice signs their parent or grandparent might not be getting appropriate care in a nursing home. Many times, the concern is raised early enough to either get the staff to change their procedures or move the senior to another facility; however, sometimes the neglect results in death. When this happens, the family needs to talk to an experienced medical malpractice attorney in Surprise, AZ as soon as possible to ensure valuable evidence is not destroyed.
While cases of nursing-home neglect used to be more prevalent, the fact that lawyers have successfully sued for damages and won claims for their clients has forced these facilities to make changes that protect their patients. When claims like this are filed and heard in court, everyone benefits: the children and grandchildren of the nursing-home patients feel more at ease knowing their loved one is safe, and seniors who might need nursing home care in the future are more likely to accept that care rather than stay in their own home or burden their relatives.
One of the best ways to prevent neglect and abuse in nursing homes is for the patient’s family to be involved; they should talk to the medical professionals and visit as often as possible. If the patient is nonverbal, family members should look for clues they might not be happy in the facility or aren’t responding normally to their regular medication. Families who find signs that their loved one might be a victim of abuse or neglect should contact an attorney such as the Garrison Law Firm right away to learn about their options.
