Studies show that there are more than 1.5 million elderly and disabled Americans living in nursing homes today. Along with that statistic, has come a rise in reports of abuse and neglect. Even though many homes will present that they provide top quality care and individual attention to your loved one, the reality is many fail to abide by the promises they make. Nursing home neglect lawyers believe that the number of incidents will only continue to rise in the coming years. It is a disturbing revalation for the families and friends of patients living in nursing homes.



The best way to determine if your loved one one has suffered from abuse or neglect at a facility, is to communicate openly with them. Sometimes someone may be too frightened to talk about abuse, so ask specific questions and look for signs of abuse if you are concerned about his or her safety. Common signs include: untreated bedsores, open wounds, cuts, bruises, excessive and sudden weight loss, fecal/urine odors, and poor personal hygiene. Keep records of the possible abuse by taking photographs of injuries and unsuitable living conditions. Write detailed notes of anything that you might see out of the ordinary. When you finally speak with a nursing home neglect lawyer, you will have hard evidence of neglect and abuse.

One third of all homes in America have been cited for neglect and abuse, which can be a scary thought when you think about it. This statistic is only the number of reported incidents that are required by law. There are probably more incidents of unreported abuse vs. the number of reported abuse. If the home is in charge of reporting these incidents, do you really think that they will report all of them? This is why it is important to talk with a nursing home neglect lawyer, if you feel a friend or family member has fallen victim to abuse. Taking legal action against these facilities will send a clear message, that this kind of abuse will not be tolerated.

Nursing home neglect lawyers will thoroughly examine the home and uncover evidence of nursing home abuse and neglect. The lawyer will then proceed to discuss the findings with the the facility. If the facility does not agree to settle the case on the terms determined by the nursing home neglect lawyer, then the case will go to court where a judge or jury will determine the penalty. It may be very much in your best interests for you to contact a nursing home neglect lawyer who can help you protect the legal rights of your loved one.