Do you have an elderly relative suffering from negligence in a Brownsville, Texas nursing home? You are likely wondering how to cover medical bills, as well as the cost of rehoming. Nursing home abuse litigation can be complex and difficult to navigate, and you will need legal representation with extensive, specialized knowledge and experience. Carabin Shaw can provide that representation. Call us toll-free at 1-800-862-1260 to speak to one of our Brownsville nursing home negligence lawyers today.
Signs of Nursing Home NegligenceBrownsville elder abuse lawyers can help you determine whether your case is viable, and can help you throughout the process of proving liability in a Brownsville nursing home negligence claim. Texas tort reform laws have made it difficult to pursue nursing home abuse cases, and you will want the help of a professional to make sure that your case is airtight before bringing it to court. Your first step is keeping an eye out for signs of negligence and gathering evidence.
Make sure that your relative’s living space appears sanitary and organized. Note any messes, spills, or clutter. Inspect the bathrooms to make sure that they do not appear dirty. Unsanitary facilities leave your relative vulnerable to infections and illnesses, as well as a decreased standard of living. Clutter or spills on the floor can lead to slip-and-fall accidents, which can be deadly. Note any bedsores or unpleasant odors, and make sure that your relative’s clothes and bedding are clean. You should also ensure that your loved one is being bathed and changed as needed. Failures on the part of the nursing home to keep up with these necessary standards of care is negligent, and an attorney can help you use the information you have gathered as evidence in your case.
Look for signs of financial abuse as well, one of the most commonly-reported types of Brownsville nursing home negligence. The decreased cognitive abilities and increased dependence on others that come with age leave the elderly especially vulnerable to this type of exploitation. Note any missing cash, strange charges on debit or credit cards, or an unusual amount of ATM withdrawals.
You likely entrusted your relative to the care of a Brownsville nursing home because you recognized that they could no longer perform necessary daily tasks without assistance. They may need help with such simple activities as getting dressed, eating, and moving from place to place. If they are losing weight, staff may not be monitoring or assisting with their eating enough. If they are complaining about being bedridden, make sure that they are receiving adequate help with their mobility. Brownsville elder abuse lawyers can help you determine whether you have sufficient evidence that the nursing home is negligent.
Determining LiabilityDetermining liability in a Brownsville nursing home negligence case can be complex. It is likely that the target of your case will be the nursing home, even if an individual staff member was responsible for the abuse. The nursing home is responsible for vetting its employees, and by hiring them takes responsibility for any actions that they perform as part of their job. However, liability is less clear when the fault is on the part of independent contractors—for example, a third-party cleaning company failing to adequately clean the nursing home’s facilities. Your attorney can help you navigate these intricacies.
Free Initial ConsultationCarabin Shaw’s team of nursing home negligence lawyers serving Brownsville can help you sort through all of these details, and determine how winnable your case is. We have several years of combined experience with these cases, and our record shows dedication to our clients. Call us today at 956-664-7255 to schedule a consultation with a lawyer and see what we can do for you.