Episode 10: Calloway County injury attorney Jeff Roberts discusses nursing home abuse, accidents and signs you need to look for to protect your elderly loved one.

Nursing home patients are some of the most vulnerable members of our society.  Many family members might prefer to care for them at home.  Unfortunately, the seniors’ medical needs, rehabilitative requirements or physical needs are simple too much for people to handle.  This is when we place our trust in the staff at a care facility to help take care of our loved ones.

The facilities Jeff is discussing include facilities commonly referred to as a nursing home, assisted living facility, long-term care facility, acute care facility and/or a rehabilitation facility.

These facilities are highly regulated to meets specific standards of care in terms of medical care, personal care, staffing levels and sanitary conditions.  Depending upon which category the facility is classified as, the standards are different, but enforceable.  The specific doctor’s orders are also taken into consideration in determining how the nursing home patient is cared for on a daily basis.

Claims against these types of facilities are filed in Circuit Court.  They are generally classified as negligence claims.

Common Types of Nursing Home Injuries

• Bed Sores (decubitus ulcers)
• Malnutrition and/or Dehydration
• Poor management of medications (under-dosing, overdosing or distributing wrong prescription)
• Neglect and poor sanitation
• Negligent infection control
• Slips and Falls (improper use of safety guards)
• Abuse (physical, emotional and/or sexual)
• Wrongful Death

Be on the lookout for red flags:

• Sores, bruising, poor sanitation and/or malnutrition
• Lack of adequate/responsive staffing
• Poor communication with patient and/or family

Report concerns to a supervisor and/or attorney

• It may be worse when you’re not at the facility
• Protect your loved one
• Prevent harm to other patients/residents

Unfortunately, the threat of a lawsuit may be the only way to ensure an elder care facility is responsive to the needs of its patients/residents.  The financial impact of a settlement or verdict can outweigh the cost-savings the administration is trying to profit from by cutting corners.  For some, the nursing home lawsuit is the only way to hold the facility accountable for the harm it inflicted on the individual.

The Roberts Law Office handles nursing home abuse and medical negligence claims on a contingency-fee basis.  There’s no money paid up front to hire Jeff Roberts.  His fee, along with court costs and case expenses are paid out at the end of the case. 

For more information, visit www.JeffRobertsLaw.com. This podcast is meant to provide information and is not legal advice.  Jeff’s principal office is located at 509 Main Street, Murray, Kentucky.  Co-host Jim Ray is a non-attorney spokesperson.  This is an advertisement.