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Negligence in Nursing Homes
As the population of the United States ages, more and more people are spending their final years in nursing homes. Unfortunately, not all nursing homes are created equal, and some nursing homes do the unthinkable: neglect your loved one. This happens with enough regularity that you need to be aware of all the warning signs of neglect if you have a loved one in a nursing home.
The 2011 Wisconsin Act 2, a tort reform law enacted in 2011, prohibits families from using state health investigation records in state civil suits filed against nursing homes. It also makes state health records inadmissible in criminal cases against healthcare providers accused of neglecting patients or accused of abusing patients. Proving a nursing home or the workers in the nursing home neglected your loved one can be an uphill battle in the wake of this law. You should report any suspected neglect or abuse of your loved one in a nursing home to the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, and contact a personal injury attorney to help further protect your loved one.
What Are Warning Signs Your Loved One Might Be a Victim of Nursing Home Neglect?
There are many warning signs that suggest your loved one may be suffering from neglect in his or her nursing home. The most obvious example is if you begin to notice uncommon bruises and lacerations (cuts), bedsores or pressure sores, or the heavy administration of medications. Other red flags of possible nursing home neglect affecting your loved one include extreme weight loss or gain, lethargy, and personality changes. Any broken bones may also be warning signs that your loved one is being neglected, and may even be more sinister signs of nursing home abuse. Dehydration, malnutrition, or starvation; unexplained drug overdose from improper dosage or type of medication; or the inappropriate use of physical restraints are all further signs of nursing home neglect or nursing home abuse, and should not be ignored.
How to Protect Your Loved One from Nursing Home Neglect
The 2011 Wisconsin Act 2 is a large obstacle to protecting the elderly and other vulnerable people from harm. Unfortunately, those state reports also include witness statements, which are irreplaceable in subsequent actions. It is very important to keep meticulous records and photographic evidence if you believe your loved one is being neglected in a nursing home.
Our Skilled Personal Injury Attorneys Can Assist You Today
The above is not an exhaustive list of nursing home neglect situations that your loved one may face from medical professionals or caretakers. Our attorneys have successfully litigated personal injury cases across Wisconsin. We stand up for the rights of nursing home negligence victims, and we are aggressive about getting results that matter to our clients.
If you or a loved one has been the victim of nursing home neglect or nursing home abuse, call us today at 414-271-1440 or send us an e-mail. Our passionate Milwaukee personal injury lawyers are ready to pursue fair compensation for or on behalf of your loved one.
Sources:
https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/2011/related/acts/2.pdf https://dhs.wisconsin.gov/dqa/bnhrc-regionalmap
