Experienced North Carolina Attorney Provides Compassionate Representation in Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect Cases

Former prosecutor takes decisive steps to redress harm to patients

When a family member requires long-term care, you want them to receive quality medical care and compassionate, attentive service. You perform your due diligence, investigating nursing homes in your area to select an appropriate facility. Then, you hope for the best. Unfortunately, too many nursing home residents receive substandard care, many are neglected, and some are deliberately abused. At the Law Office of Anthony R. Morrow, we believe that any mistreatment of nursing home residents is intolerable. Our experience includes directing investigations and civil prosecutions of elder abuse as a social services Staff Attorney. We are prepared to pursue justice for your elder loved one, holding facilities and individuals fully accountable.

Signs of nursing home abuse in North Carolina

Residents of nursing homes are often powerless to speak up against neglect and abuse, so it’s vitally important that family members take a keen interest in how their loved ones are being treated. To be an effective advocate, you should:

• Visit often, varying the days and times at which you arrive
• Talk to your loved one privately
• Observe any changes in your loved one’s mood or demeanor
• Observe any signs of poor hygiene
• Inspect your loved one’s body for bruising or red marks that could lead to bedsores

If you see signs of neglect or abuse, you must take action immediately to protect your loved one. Nursing home administrators are often dismissive of complaints; they claim an older adult’s “failure to thrive” is due simply due to the natural decline of old age. You must be persistent in your advocacy and get professional assistance if the facility fails to address your concerns.

Experience with a wide range of nursing home injuries

If a nursing home resident is injured due to negligent conduct or deliberate abuse, the victim is eligible for personal injury compensation. Injuries that tend to indicate neglect or abuse include:

• Bedsores
• Infections
• Injuries from falls
• Injuries from restraints
• Dehydration and malnutrition
• Complications from medication errors
• Emotional distress and/or depression

Although it’s unthinkable, nursing home residents have also been subjected to sexual abuse, verbal abuse, intimidation, and extortion. Nursing home facilities are generally liable for negligent injuries and can even be liable for deliberate abusive acts by their staff. Your loved one can receive personal injury damages and appropriate care. The sooner you act, the sooner we can help protect your loved one from further harm.

Know your rights as a nursing home resident in North Carolina

The North Carolina Division of Aging and Adult Services wants nursing home residents to know they have rights protected by state law. These rights include:

• To receive respectful, dignified treatment.
• To receive adequate and appropriate care, treatment, and services.
• To receive a written statement of services provided by the facility, specifying charges not covered under Medicare and Medicaid
• To have a physician’s orders with proposed schedule of medical treatment on file.
• To privacy and confidentiality with regard to medical care.
• To be free of mental and physical abuse, as well as chemical and physical restraint unless medically indicated and authorized for a specified period of time.
• To a reasonable response to all requests from the administration or staff.
• To free, private association with people and groups of the patient’s choosing at any reasonable hour.
• To send and receive mail promptly and unopened.
• To telephone access where the patient may speak privately.
• To have access to writing instruments, stationery and postage.
• To manage finances unless other legal arrangements have been implemented.
• To have privacy during visits with a spouse, and to share a room if both are patients in the same facility.
• To enjoy privacy.
• To present grievances and recommend changes in policies and services without fear of reprisal, restraint, interference, coercion, or discrimination.
• To not be required to perform services for the facility without personal consent and the written approval of the attending physician.
• To retain and to use personal clothing and possessions, whenever reasonable.
• To not be transferred or discharged except for medical, financial, or safety reasons.
• To be notified within ten days after the facility’s license is revoked or made provisional.

If your loved one’s nursing facility is interfering with any of these rights, you can file a complaint with the state’s Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program or retain an attorney to assist you in resolving the matter.

Contact an experienced and determined attorney to fight nursing home abuse and neglect

The Law Office of Anthony R. Morrow has the knowledge, skill and experience to pursue effective remedies in cases of nursing home abuse and neglect. To schedule a free consultation, call us at 828-919-9590 or contact us online. We are located at 185 N. Main Street, Suite L, Rutherfordton, off U.S. 221.