Pittsburgh Nursing Home Negligence Lawyers
According to the National Center on Elder Abuse, at least one out of every 10 senior citizens faces abuse in their care facility every year. As shocking as this statistic is, the NCEA reports that the real scope of the problem is unknown due to issues collecting data from victims of abuse who do not possess the capacity to discuss their treatment or are simply afraid to do so.
Families whose loved ones have experienced mistreatment don’t need statistics, they need swift and effective legal representation. The Pittsburgh nursing home negligence lawyers at Hal Waldman and Associates are here to help your family during this tragic time. We will take immediate action to protect your loved one against further negligence and fight tirelessly to see that all responsible parties are held accountable for their actions.
To speak with one of our Pittsburgh nursing home negligence attorneys, please call (412) 338-1000 today.
Identifying Abuse and Neglect in Pittsburgh Nursing Homes
The mistreatment of nursing home residents takes many forms, all of which may have lasting consequences. This makes it important to know how to identify signs of negligence.
You should immediately contact the Pittsburgh nursing home negligence lawyers at Hal Waldman and Associates if you notice:
- Signs of physical abuse such as unexplained injury. If you notice any injuries, be sure to question the nursing home staff extensively to find out how it occurred, whether or not staff documented the injury, and the staff’s treatment plan to address the injury. You may want to consider trying to talk to other residents to find out what the general consensus is among residents about the quality of life in the nursing home.
- Signs of sexual abuse including STDs and bruises around genitalia. Sexual abuse can also include forcing a resident to look at pornographic material or sharing naked pictures of a resident.
- Weight loss, skin thinning, and other signs of malnutrition and dehydration. Elderly individuals are less resilient than younger folks, and poor diet and dehydration can exacerbate existing medical conditions or leave an elderly resident in critical condition. Pay close attention to your loved one’s living situation and make sure he or she has easy access to clean drinking water and nutritious food.
- Bed sores, poor hygiene, or similar indications of neglect. Some nursing home residents are confined to bed rest, but lying in the same position for extended periods can cause bed sores, painful pressure sores that can easily become infected. Nursing home staff must regularly reposition bedridden residents to reduce the chances of bed sores. They should also regularly change residents’ sheets and clothing and bathe residents to ensure good hygiene.
These signs of negligence are commonly accompanied by emotional and behavioral changes such as adopting new habits, withdrawal from the nursing home community, and visible discomfort around nursing home staff.
Why Choose Our Nursing Home Negligence Attorneys
Hal Waldman is both a nursing home attorney and the former owner of an assisted living facility – a combination that gives our firm unique insight into these often complex and heartbreaking cases. Strongly dedicated to helping victims of mistreatment get justice, our Pittsburgh nursing home negligence lawyers are prepared to take decisive action to protect your loved one and ensure dignity and safety are restored.
To schedule a free consultation at our Pittsburgh office, please contact Hal Waldman and Associates online or call (412) 338-1000 today. We represent victims of nursing home negligence throughout Southwestern Pennsylvania.