Moving your parent into a nursing home will be one of the hardest things you ever do. At a certain point, you realize that you just can’t take care of your loved one anymore. Maybe they have a complex medical condition. Or you may not be able to care for them physically. You take your Columbia nursing home abuse lawyer’s advice and investigate the nursing home thoroughly.
The last thing you want to do is see your mom or dad suffering at the hands of the staff or other residents. If you start to suspect that this is happening, you should call our office and speak to a skilled Columbia nursing home abuse lawyer.
One of the first things our clients tell us is that they blame themselves when they learn that their parent is being abused. They beat themselves up, insisting that they should’ve been more careful.
The truth is that, if it were so obvious that the nursing home’s personnel were abusive toward their patients, you never would have chosen that home. The best thing to do if you suspect your elderly loved one being treated unfairly is to call an experienced Columbia nursing home abuse lawyer.
Is There a Difference Between Abuse and Neglect?
Some people aren’t aware that there is a difference between nursing home abuse and neglect. The easy way to distinguish the two is that abuse involves things the staff do to your parent whereas neglect involves the things they fail to do for your loved one. Regardless of which one you suspect is going on, you need to get a professional opinion.
You don’t want to panic and move your parent to another nursing home. Not only can this be traumatic for your mom or dad, but it can also violate insurance rules. That’s why it’s a good idea to schedule your free, initial consultation as soon as possible after you confirm your suspicions.
How Do You Know When It’s Time to Get a Columbia Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer Involved?
One of the saddest things about nursing home abuse is that it often goes unreported. This could be due to the fact that most laypeople aren’t sure of what to look for. They may even fail to notice the obvious. If you suspect any of the following things are going on, then you should contact our office:
- Your mom or dad has bruises or cuts
- They tell you they’re being abused
- You notice that they are afraid to speak up
- They are losing weight rapidly
- You see that they’re noticeably afraid of some of the staff or other residents
If you see any of these things, then you really shouldn’t wait to take action. It’s better to talk to a Columbia nursing home abuse lawyer before the abuse gets worse. The last thing you want to do is get a phone call from the nursing home alerting you to an active case of abuse. Your parents deserve more than that.
It’s Better to Err on the Side of Caution
If you suspect something’s going on with your loved one, call our office. Take the time to sit down and talk to a Columbia nursing home abuse lawyer right away. Your attorney can put the nursing home administrator that you’re concerned about. They’ll also let the administrator know that you fully intend to report your concerns to the Ombudsman’s office. Once this happens, a full-blown investigation will be launched. The nursing home administrator certainly doesn’t want this.
Make Sure to Document Any Signs and Symptoms
Your Columbia nursing home abuse lawyer will need to prove that the abusive behavior is indeed happening in the home. They will come to take a look at your loved one’s nursing home and room. They may ask for a copy of the patient’s life insurance policy if available. This serves two purposes. First, it gives the nursing home a chance to turn over whatever information they have. Second, it lets them know that you mean business.
Schedule Your Free Consultation with an Experienced Columbia Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer
If you feel that your loved one is being mistreated or abused in their nursing home, call our office. We can set up a date and time for you to come in for your free, initial consultation. It’s a good idea to bring a copy of your power of attorney since your Columbia nursing home abuse lawyer will help move your parent to a better home. They will also file a claim for damages on behalf of your loved one. Call right away and schedule your free consultation.