What Constitutes Neglect in a Nursing Home? Corpus Christi Attorneys

Many family members agonize about moving a loved one into a nursing home. The considerable time commitment, emotional and physical stress, and lack of specialized training can lead relatives to look into options that will keep their aging family members safe and well-supported. Often, however, these nursing homes are substandard in looking after the people in their care. At Carabin Shaw, we believe that victims of nursing home abuse and neglect in Corpus Christi deserve a voice in court. A nursing home abuse lawyer in Texas can help secure justice on their behalf.

Nursing facilities are supposed to guarantee around-the-clock care for our loved ones, but the majority of homes are falling short. According to the Nursing Home Abuse Center, 95% of nursing home residents reported neglect within the past year. But, what constitutes neglect in a nursing home? The most common forms of elderly neglect are:

• Medical neglect: Medical neglect occurs when a nursing facility fails to provide patients with enough attention, prevention, or treatment for concerns like bedsores, cognitive disorders, cuts, diabetes, infections, and mobility issues. Medical neglect may lead to malpractice, so it is crucial to contact a lawyer as soon as possible if you suspect your loved one’s healthcare is subpar.
• Personal hygiene neglect: This type of neglect happens when a nursing facility does not help residents clean, brush their teeth, do laundry, bathe, or follow other hygienic practices. If you visit your loved one and see this neglect in action, call an attorney right away.
• Emotional and social neglect: When overstressed staff repeatedly ignores, leaves alone, or snaps at residents, emotional and social neglect occurs. Your loved one may be hesitant to talk about this behavior because it isolates them, but if they open up to you be sure to listen and react accordingly. Elder abuse lawyers in Corpus Christi have seen this type of mistreatment before and are aware of the negative effect it has on residents’ mood and self-esteem.
• Basic needs neglect: Lastly, basic needs neglect occurs when a nursing home does not provide residents with sufficient food and water or clean, safe living conditions.

Any of the above are grounds for a nursing home negligence lawsuit, and Corpus Christi elder abuse lawyers can help you file the claim.

There are national and state regulations in place to protect the elderly from abuse. The Texas Health and Human Services Commission covers laws throughout the state to protect elderly patients from neglect and verbal, sexual, mental, or physical abuse. Additionally, the Texas Administrative Code requires nursing homes to provide residents with the necessary services for “the highest possible mental, physical, and psychosocial wellbeing.” Carabin Shaw lawyers are familiar with these laws and regulations, and we are committed to upholding and protecting them.

If you need a Corpus Christi attorney, call us. Our mission is to represent injury victims across Texas as aggressively as possible. Elder abuse is wrong, and those who perform it need to be held accountable.

Choosing an attorney when you are distressed can be overwhelming. How do you know if you are selecting the right one? If you live in Corpus Christi and are searching for the “best nursing home abuse lawyer near me,” reach out to Carabin Shaw. Our firm has an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau for defending clients across Texas for decades, and we are ready to leverage our expertise to help you.

We offer a free initial consultation, which we use to listen to you, look over the facts of your case, and answer any of your questions. If we can’t help you, we will connect you with someone who can. Your satisfaction is our goal.

To speak with an attorney in Corpus Christi, dial 361-444-1111 or call us toll-free at 800-862-1260.