Little Rock Nursing Home Abuse Attorney
Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer in Little Rock AR
Today, the population of the United States is aging, with about 1.4 million elderly individuals living in long-term care and nursing home facilities. As the baby boomer generation continues to age, these figures will increase. While the purpose of nursing homes and long-term living facilities is to provide skilled and compassionate care for our elderly loved ones, we have unfortunately seen instances of abuse and neglect rise.
The last thing we want for our loved ones, or ourselves at some point, is to be subjected to abusive or neglectful care. But the data doesn’t paint a pretty picture. If you suspect or have found that a loved one has been suffering in an abusive nursing home setting, you have the right to hold the staff and facility accountable for their harm. We can help hold the facility, administration, staff, or other third parties accountable if there is evidence of negligence. Don’t let your loved ones suffer in silence. Call the experienced Little Rock nursing home abuse attorneys at the Pfeifer Law Firm.
We Assume That Our Loved Ones Are Being Protected
While most families assume that there is vast federal oversight of nursing home facilities combating nursing home abuse and neglect, the reality is there are few federal protections. Most nursing homes and assisted living facilities are governed by state laws and state oversight. And while federal law does provide some basic guidelines for care, nursing home care in the state of Arkansas has consistently failed to meet those basic standards.
Elder Abuse In Nursing Home Settings
Elder abuse can take many forms, including:
- Physical abuse that results in bodily injury, pain, or impairment
- Emotional, psychological, or verbal abuse that results in deep emotional distress and withdrawal
- Sexual abuse which includes any non-consensual sexual contact
- Financial exploitation or inappropriate use of a resident’s finances or other assets
- Failure to provide basic needs
- Abandonment
Unfortunately, many cases of elder abuse are perpetrated by the very professionals that we entrust to care for our vulnerable family members. This is why many families seek out the assistance of a Little Rock nursing home abuse lawyer.
What Leads to Nursing Home Abuse?
While causes of nursing home abuse are varied, the for-profit institutionalization model of our elderly care is ripe for this abuse. The CDC reports that, as of 2016, nearly 70 percent of nursing homes were for-profit. A 2018 report published by Gerontology reported that residents in for-profit care facilities were almost twice as likely to suffer from poor care than non-profit facilities.
Nursing home facilities often suffer from:
- Staffing issues
- Inadequate training of staff members
- Inadequate wages for staff members
- Lack of administrative oversight
If your loved one is a nursing home resident and has suffered any form of neglect or abuse, the facility can be held accountable for any damages. Getting skilled legal advice is paramount. A Little Rock nursing home abuse attorney at Pfeifer Law Firm can help you hold the responsible parties accountable for their negligence.
Signs of Nursing Home Abuse
Because nursing home abuse is vastly unreported, it is incumbent for families to be watchful for signs of abuse. These include:
- Any signs of physical injuries, falls, cuts, bruises, or odd marks on the body
- Any signs of physical discomfort
- Any signs of negligence, bedsores, open wounds, or signs of possible restraints
- Poor hygiene
- Frequent illness or infection
- Lack of appropriate medical treatment
- Unexplained weight loss, malnourishment, dehydration
- Silence or isolation
- Fear of or complaints about specific staff members
- Unpaid bills or financial losses
- Any abrupt and unexplained changes in a will or power of attorney
If you know or suspect that your loved one has been abused in a nursing home setting, it is important to take action immediately by notifying authorities such as law enforcement and the Arkansas Department of Human Services. You may also have legal recourse to hold the at-fault parties financially accountable for any damages.
Getting Legal Assistance From Experienced Little Rock Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers
When your loved one has been the victim of nursing home abuse, we can help hold the negligent parties accountable through a civil lawsuit seeking financial compensation.
Contact an experienced Little Rock nursing home abuse lawyers at Pfeifer Law Firm at (501) 374-4440 or through our online contact form. We will schedule a no-cost consultation so you can understand your legal rights and options. We only get paid on contingency, which means you pay nothing unless we recover compensation on your behalf.