When our elderly loved ones are placed in a nursing home or assisted living facility, the expectation is that they will be treated with the utmost care and respect. Sadly, many nursing homes fail in this expectation, leading to neglect of the patients and negligence in the safety of their facilities. If your family member was injured at a nursing home in the St. Peters area, let the experienced attorneys at the Johnson Law Firm fight for the compensation you deserve. To learn more about your legal options, call or contact our office today.

What is Nursing Home Negligence?

Nursing home negligence typically occurs in two substantial areas — patient care and facility maintenance. Nursing home staff and administrations have a duty of care to treat their patients and maintain their facilities in a way that a reasonable person would if placed in their situation. When nursing homes breach that duty of care by failing to meet a reasonable person’s standards, they can be found negligent and liable for any accidents or injuries that occur.

Signs of Nursing Home Neglect

Nursing home facility neglect can take many forms. Some of the most common signs of negligent facility maintenance include flickering or burnt out lights, puddles and other slipping hazards in hallways, bug and rodent infestation, cracked tiles, frayed or upturned edges on carpeting, loose handrails, and inadequate security to protect residents at the facility. Facility neglect can also include staffing negligence, such as failing to perform background checks on new staff, failure to train, and failure to supervise staff properly.

Patient neglect can result in physical and mental injuries along with significant decreases in the level of hygiene of nursing home residents. Common signs of nursing home neglect of residents include bruises, lacerations, bedsores, malnutrition, dehydration, body odor, dirty clothes, damaged or missing clothing, insomnia, improper medication, personality changes, depression, anxiety, and recurring illnesses or injuries. If you have noticed any signs of nursing home negligence, it is critical that you speak with an attorney as soon as possible.

Compensation for Nursing Home Injuries

Any nursing home resident injured in an accident caused by negligence is entitled to compensation for the harm caused. This includes all economic damages for medical bills and property loss caused by the accident along with compensation for their pain and suffering, emotional distress, disability, disfigurement, and loss of enjoyment of life. Sadly, in many cases, nursing home accidents can result in permanent disability because of a resident’s age and physical health.

In the worst cases, a nursing home resident may die as a result of their injuries. In these situations, the family may also seek compensation for wrongful death. Damages for wrongful death include all final medical expenses related to the accident, funeral and burial costs, and compensation for the loss of love, guidance, and counsel of the deceased.

Call or Contact Our Office

 If you suspect that a loved one has suffered at a nursing home facility because of negligence, call or contact the Johnson Law Firm in St. Peters today to schedule a consultation of your case with an experienced lawyer now.