Advocates for Seniors Who Have Experienced Nursing Home Negligence

New Mexico nursing home negligence affects far too many senior citizens and their families. Unfortunately, nursing homes in New Mexico rank near the bottom of all states in the quality of care they provide.

The attorneys at Carabin Shaw feel strongly about protecting the rights and safety of seniors in nursing homes. If you believe your loved one has been harmed by the negligence of an individual caregiver or the facility they reside in, contact one of our lawyers immediately.

Nursing home injury lawyers define negligence as a form of abuse that is generally more passive in nature, as opposed to being intentionally harmful. Rather than physical, emotional, sexual, or financial abuse, or willfully withholding necessities from seniors, negligence occurs when caregivers fail to provide the standard of care required by law. This failure may be intentional or unintentional, and liability for the harmful consequences may fall on both caregivers and their employers, depending on circumstances.

As advocates for seniors who have experienced nursing home negligence, our attorneys know that the effects of negligence can, in some cases, be just as harmful as more egregious forms of physical and emotional abuse. Neglecting the personal hygiene needs and medical needs of residents can lead to infections, bedsores, a worsening of medical conditions, psychological trauma, or increased risk of injury and illness. When nursing homes fail to provide a safe, sanitary, and dignified environment for their residents, this creates unacceptable, substandard living conditions that frequently lead to poor health outcomes.

Nursing homes and their employees are charged with legal duties to promote and protect the rights of seniors. New Mexico nursing home negligence represents a clear violation of the legal rights of senior citizens. These rights— guaranteed by the Federal Nursing Home Reform Act—include:

• the right to a dignified existence; to be treated with dignity and respect; to be free from abuse, neglect, and any exploitative treatment
• the right to self-determination, including the right to participate in developing an individual medical plan that respects personal and cultural preferences
• the right to privacy
• the right to file grievances without being discriminated against or threatened with retaliation
• the right of access to visitors, services, and community activities both inside and outside their place of residence

The New Mexico lawyers on our staff want to send a clear message to caregivers and their employers: the rights of elders must be respected and protected, and those individuals or companies that would violate those rights—whether intentionally or unintentionally—will be held accountable for their actions in a court of law.

As of 2016, there were 5,749 nursing home residents in New Mexico, according to the Kaiser Foundation. In recent years, more than 2,000 infractions were reported, ranging from minor to very serious, some with life-threatening results. And experienced nursing home injury lawyers know that these numbers are actually misleading, as neglect and abuse are vastly underreported and thus far more prevalent than statistics suggest.

The population of senior citizens in New Mexico will grow in the decades to come, as it will across America. Elders who depend on caregivers to ensure their safety and well-being are especially vulnerable to abuse and neglect, and should be protected. We should not allow New Mexico nursing home negligence to continue to negatively impact the health and well-being of our family members.

If you are looking for a nursing home negligence lawyer in New Mexico, know that the legal team at Carabin Shaw is well qualified to help you and your family. Don’t hesitate to call us at 915-779-2301 to set up your free initial consultation. One of our lawyers will be happy to review the details of your claim and discuss your legal options.