Providing Oklahoma Residents with Important Nursing Home Abuse Information

Nursing home negligence or abuse is a very serious and often upsetting matter, which may include:

Neglect
Abandonment
Involuntary seclusion
Psychological abuse
Physical abuse
Sexual abuse
Verbal abuse

If your loved one has suffered due to inadequate care or abuse, contact our Oklahoma City nursing home abuse and negligence lawyers. Our attorneys have the skill and experience to effectively defend your rights.

The elderly are often dependent on others to help them with daily tasks such as eating and bathing. Unfortunately, because of their reliance on others, nursing home residents are especially vulnerable to negligence and abuse, ranging from a lack of adequate care to physical assaults. Such treatment can potentially result in isolation, dehydration, malnutrition, bedsores, broken bones and other preventable injuries, or even death. Serving Oklahoma, our nursing home abuse attorneys are prepared to take a stand by representing your case and making it known that such behavior will not be tolerated.

Nursing home negligence occurs all too often, which may be due to the fact that many staff members lack sufficient training. In addition, given an unbalanced staff-to-patient ratio, staff members are typically overworked and underpaid. Unfortunately, nursing home residents are the ones to suffer. In some cases, this occurs as the staff members take out their frustrations on residents through physical and sexual assaults, while other times, residents are simply denied the care they are entitled.

If your loved one has been the victim of nursing home negligence, contact our Oklahoma City firm and bring experienced nursing home negligence and abuse lawyers on your side. Our attorneys can obtain positive results for your case.

What You Can Do About Nursing Home Negligence

If you suspect a nursing home is guilty of negligence or abuse, you can take action to prevent more serious incidents. Some things you can do include:

Visiting the facility often and at different times during the day and night to observe the quality of care that is being provided.

Talking to the doctors, nurses, and staff about your concerns.

Discussing your concerns with the director of nurses and the social worker.

Contacting an administrator or someone that will investigate the complaint. Typically, these individuals can assist with complaints that aren't life threatening. For instance, they can hold the nursing home responsible for reimbursing the cost of lost or stolen goods.

Filing a complaint with state Licensing and Certification. They are required to investigate the claim and have the authority to issue a citation, impose a fine, or require that the facility take corrective action.

It is understandable that you may be hesitant about filing a claim against a nursing home while your loved one still resides there, fearing retaliation. You may prefer to wait and file the claim after your relative has moved out of the home.

Nursing Home Abuse Prevention

To avoid placing your loved one in another nursing home where they may be subject to negligence or abuse, take some time to research the facility. Find out if the home is licensed and ask if background checks are performed on all staff before hire. Also, visit the home and keep an eye open to detect any warning signs.

General warning signs of negligence include:

Unsanitary or dirty living conditions
Unpleasant odor
Health and safety hazards
Lack of personal hygiene among residents
Poor access to medical services

Contact our law firm in Oklahoma City for more information on nursing home negligence and abuse. Our lawyers will be happy to answer any questions you may have.