Keeping an Eye on Nursing Homes

New York law takes abuse of nursing home residents very, very seriously. Not only is it a crime to abuse, mistreat or neglect a nursing home resident, but anyone in a position to even observe or suspect such abuse (and the law lists no less than 25 possible observers, from contractors to chiropractors to coroners) faces severe penalties if they fail to report it immediately to the Health Department. In one New York City nursing home, installation of security cameras led to the arrest of 19 employees for failing to provide adequate care to residents of the facility.

If you suspect your loved one has been a victim of nursing home abuse, you too have a right to report your suspicions to the authorities. You also have a right to pursue a medical malpractice civil suit against the facility in question and any suspected practitioners or employees, with the assistance of a nursing home abuse lawyer in New York City. Taking legal action can achieve justice for your loved one and provide the financial means for improving his or her situation, while helping to ensure the future health and safety of other nursing home residents.

Look for the following as possible signs of nursing home abuse or neglect:

• Bedsores
• Falls
• Excessive weight loss
• Dehydration
• Wounds, bruises, or other injuries
• Unsanitary environment
• Agitation or fearfulness
• Excessive use of restraints
• Repeated emergencies

Nursing home abuse is not always a matter of physical or emotional cruelty. New York State guarantees nursing home residents a wide range of rights that are not to be violated, such as the right to vote and exercise religious liberty, the right to safeguard property and money, the right to privacy in communications and the right to have access to a formal grievance procedure. Violations of any of these rights can be grounds for a New York City nursing home negligence case. To learn more, contact Rich & Rich, P.C. for a free consultation.