A Sheriff’s Department in Georgia is investigating a claim that a nursing home staff member allegedly physically abused a patient. The incident was allegedly reported by both a family member and another staff member at the facility.
An 86-year-old woman was hospitalized with bruises and a broken bone that she suffered allegedly as a result of the incident at a care facility. The Sheriff’s Office stated that it will use forensic evidence from the woman’s physician to determine how she received the injuries.
A local ombudsman reports that in her opinion, accidents such as this one are usually not intentional, but happen due to a lack of training or other accidents. In those cases, the facility should focus on better training its staff in order to prevent future incidents from occurring. She also reiterates the common message of being involved with the nursing home by visiting on a regular basis and getting to know the staff, in order to ensure that your loved one is receiving good care.
The lack of a statement from the injured woman in this case means that she is probably unable to either recall or communicate her side of the story regarding the incident. This could mean that she suffers from dementia, Alzheimer’s, or some other sort of impairment preventing her from remembering or verbalizing memories.
It is an unfortunate reality that these types of patients are probably the most likely to be abused or neglected, since they cannot call for help, or tell loved ones what has happened to them. While this case involves claims of abuse, nursing home patients also suffer injury due to neglect, or a failure to care for them. The most common type of neglect in nursing home situations is the development of bed sores from a failure to turn patients frequently enough.
Additionally, residents in nursing homes or assisted living facilities also typically receive complicated medical treatment. This means that they could additionally be vulnerable to suffering as a result of medical malpractice. An experienced nursing home abuse attorney can fully advise you regarding the type of claim your loved one could potentially bring.
If you suspect that an elderly friend or relative living in a nursing home or assisted living facility within the Maryland or the Washington D.C. areas might be suffering from neglect or abuse, contact the experienced nursing home abuse and neglect attorneys at Lebowitz & Mzhen Personal Injury Lawyers immediately. The attorneys at our law firm understand how difficult nursing home abuse allegations may be for you and your loved one, and we are here to help. Contact us today in order to schedule your complimentary and confidential initial consultation. You can reach us by calling (800) 654-1949 or contact us through our website.
More Blog Posts:
Trial Begins in Nursing Home Abuse Case, Maryland Nursing Home Lawyer Blog, published September 20, 2013
Another Case of Nursing Home Abuse Caught on Hidden Camera, Yet No Charges Filed, Maryland Nursing Home Lawyer Blog, published September 13, 2013