Nursing Home Abuse Frequently Asked Questions

What kind of nursing home negligence cases do you handle?
I handle nursing home negligence and neglect cases based on circumstances such as:

Failure to assess risks of falling that result in hip fractures, head injuries or spinal cord injuries
Failure to properly care for bedridden residents, resulting in bed sores
Failure to monitor bathing and hygiene, resulting in illness
Failure to properly screen employees
Failure to provide adequate staffing
Use of improper restraints or security
Physical or verbal abuse
Medication errors
Wrongful Death
Neglect

Do you offer a free consultation?
Yes, I offer free consultations with no obligation whatsoever.

What is a contingency fee?
My firm works on a contingency-fee basis, and I don’t get paid unless I obtain a successful recovery for you.

What are the general warning signs of elder abuse?

What is a contingency fee?
My firm works on a contingency-fee basis, and I don’t get paid unless I obtain a successful recovery for you.

What are the general warning signs of elder abuse?

Frequent arguments or tension between the caregiver and the elderly person
Changes in personality or behavior in the elder

What are the signs and sypmtoms of specific types of abuse?

Physical abuse	Unexplained signs of injury such as bruises, welts, or scars, especially if they appear symmetrically on two side of the body Broken bones, sprains, or dislocations Report of drug overdose or apparent failure to take medication regularly (a prescription has more remaining than it should) Broken eyeglasses or frames Signs of being restrained, such as rope marks on wrists Caregiver’s refusal to allow you to see the elder alone
Emotional abuse	In addition to the general signs above, indications of emotional elder abuse include: Threatening, belittling, or controlling caregiver behavior that you witness Behavior from the elder that mimics dementia, such as rocking, sucking, or mumbling to oneself
Sexual abuse	Bruises around breasts or genitals Unexplained venereal disease or genital infections Unexplained vaginal or anal bleeding Torn, stained, or bloody underclothing
Neglect by caregivers or self-neglect	Unusual weight loss, malnutrition, dehydration Untreated physical problems, such as bed sores Unsanitary living conditions: dirt, bugs, soiled bedding and clothes Being left dirty or unbathed Unsuitable clothing or covering for the weather Unsafe living conditions (no heat or running water; faulty electrical wiring, other fire hazards) Desertion of the elder at a public place
Financial exploitation	Significant withdrawals from the elder’s accounts Sudden changes in the elder’s financial condition Items or cash missing from the senior’s household Suspicious changes in wills, power of attorney, titles, and policies Addition of names to the senior’s signature card Unpaid bills or lack of medical care, although the elder has enough money to pay for them Financial activity the senior couldn’t have done, such as an ATM withdrawal when the account holder is bedridden Unnecessary services, goods, or subscriptions
Healthcare fraud and abuse	Duplicate billings for the same medical service or device Evidence of overmedication or undermedication Evidence of inadequate care when bills are paid in full Problems with the care facility: – Poorly trained, poorly paid, or insufficient staff – Crowding – Inadequate responses to questions about care

How Do I report suspected elder abuse?
Every state has at least one toll-free elder abuse hotline or helpline for reporting elder abuse in the home, in the community, or in nursing homes and other longterm care facilities. In addition, information and referral are also available from the national Eldercare Locator: (877) 897-9466