Recently, the AARP declared that Texas is the worst state in the nation for elder care, declaring that the quality of nursing homes in our state is “shamefully poor.” According to The Dallas Morning News, recorded deficiencies in Texas assisted living facilities rose by 20% between 2010 and 2014 alone. And according to ProPublica, of the more than 1,200 long-term care facilities in Texas, 306 have been cited with serious standard deficiencies. All of these statistics show that Texas has a serious problem when it comes to elder care, and our state’s nursing home residents are consequently at higher risk for experiencing nursing home negligence. If you have a loved one who is currently living in a nursing home facility in the Midland area, you may be wondering how to know whether or not nursing home abuse is occurring. That’s why our lawyers have compiled the following Texas nursing home abuse and negligence guide. Read on to learn more about how to spot Midland nursing home negligence, what to do if abuse is occurring, and how to choose a Midland elder abuse lawyer.
What are the Signs of Nursing Home Abuse?Because many elderly nursing home residents are entirely dependent on their caregivers, they may be reluctant to—or unable to—convey to family members that abuse is occurring. Statistics confirm that most instances of elder abuse are not formally reported. However, there are some signs that you can look for that may indicate elder abuse or neglect among victims, including (but not limited to) the following:
If the abuse is blatantly clear and you think your loved one is in immediate danger, call the police. However, if you are unsure whether or not abuse is occurring, you have a few options as to how to proceed.
If you have reason to believe that your loved one is being neglected or abused at an assisted living facility, it’s important to act as soon as possible. First, talk to the nursing home staff and management about your concerns. Don’t be afraid of asking too many questions, and take detailed notes about who you speak to. If the staff are unable or unwilling to explain what is going on, you should then look into making a formal complaint and / or moving your loved one into another facility.
You can also call the Texas Department of Health and Human Services hotline at 800-458-9858 to report suspected abuse or neglect of the elderly—including Midland nursing home negligence.
Finally, you may also want to consult with a qualified attorney, who can give you more information about your legal options. The right attorney can help you recover compensation for your loved one’s pain and suffering, medical bills, or other damages resulting from the abuse.
How Do I Choose Among the Nursing Home Negligence Lawyers in Midland?When choosing among Midland attorneys, you will want to choose a lawyer who has extensive experience handling elder abuse cases, which can be extremely complex and difficult. You will also want to choose a personal injury lawyer with a winning track record, plenty of positive client recommendations, and a professional and courteous staff.
At Carabin Shaw, we meet all of the above criteria and more. Our lawyers have a combined 200 years of legal experience, and we’ve been serving Texans for more than two decades.
To find out how an experienced personal injury lawyer can help you in the aftermath of Midland nursing home negligence, call our Carabin Shaw Midland office today at (432) 620-0544 to receive a free consultation with one of our Midland elder abuse lawyers.