Nursing Home Negligence | Wrongful Death Attorney in New Mexico

If you have an elderly parent or loved one and you can’t provide the round the clock care they require, you know the decision to trust their care to a nursing home is one of the most difficult to make. You choose a nursing home carefully and hope that the other residents and staff become a second family to your elderly loved one, but sometimes neglect still happens and can cause illness, injury or even death. If you have an elderly parent or loved one who’s been neglected at a nursing home in New Mexico, call a lawyer at Carabin Shaw to fight for the compensation you deserve.

If you suspect your loved one is suffering from New Mexico nursing home negligence, you should understand what constitutes neglect and know the signs to look for. Neglect is the failure to provide appropriate care that results in injury, illness or death to the neglected individual. The difference between neglect and abuse is intent. Abuse is inflicting intentional harm, whereas neglect is inflicting harm unintentionally as a result of the failure to prevent it.

Neglect can be systemic or individual. An example of systemic neglect would be when the nursing home doesn’t hire enough staff for the number of residents in the nursing home. If the facility is understaffed, the existing staff may not be able to provide each resident with the appropriate care, leading to illness or injury and, in severe cases, even death. Our New Mexico elder abuse lawyers are knowledgeable about elder abuse and neglect laws. They can assess your case and determine if the nursing home is liable for neglect because they don’t have enough staff to provide care. In cases where an individual is negligent, often the nursing home is still liable, but there may be situations where the individual employee is liable.

If you suspect your loved one is suffering from New Mexico nursing home negligence, you shouldn’t hesitate to report the situation to the appropriate governmental entity in New Mexico. Elderly people are often medically or mentally fragile, and in this case they may not be able or willing to communicate their neglect to you. You’ll want to consult nursing home negligence lawyers serving New Mexico to determine where to report suspected neglect and whether you have a case and deserve compensation for your loved one’s suffering. Some things you should be on the lookout for that signify neglect include:

• Lack of proper hydration and nutrition
• Ulcers or bed sores
• Lacerations, bruises or other signs of physical distress
• Broken bones
• Changes in mood or behavior

Neglect of any kind can result in injuries or illness. New Mexico elder abuse lawyers have years of experience protecting victims of elder abuse and neglect and their families. They can help you file necessary reports, gather evidence and find expert witnesses to corroborate neglect. Once you’ve filed a suit, your lawyer will negotiate with the nursing home and advise you as to whether you should settle your lawsuit or continue to trial.

Unfortunately, even if you take appropriate action as soon as you’re aware of neglect, your elderly loved one might pass away. A wrongful death attorney in New Mexico will have the expertise to investigate your loved one’s death and determine if you should file a wrongful death lawsuit. If the nursing home or its employees were negligent and that negligence caused or accelerated your loved one’s death, you may be entitled to compensation.

If your elderly parent or loved one has suffered from New Mexico nursing home negligence, don’t hesitate to contact an attorney at Carabin Shaw today at 915-779-2301. Our attorneys have the experience and expertise to guide you through the legal process of reporting negligence and filing a lawsuit. They’ll protect your interests and they won’t stop until you’ve received all the compensation you deserve.