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.
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:
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.
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:
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.
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:
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.
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.