Some of the most vulnerable people in our society are senior citizens who are unable to care for their own day-to-day needs. Their relatives may be unable to provide the necessary treatment or attention that they require, resulting in these people living in nursing homes or assisted care facilities. These facilities have a duty to provide competent nursing care and a safe environment for all their residents. Sadly, they often fail in this duty by allowing neglect or outright abuse. The resulting physical and emotional injuries can have a profound effect on people who are already in frail health.
Nursing home residents have the right to demand compensation after an incident of abuse leaves them with injuries. An Iberville Parish nursing home abuse lawyer is ready to take the lead in investigating these incidents and demanding proper payments from negligent nursing homes. If you suspect your loved one is being mistreated in a care facility, get in touch with the injury attorneys at Tomeny | Best to learn about your legal options.
What Does it Mean for a Nursing Home to Commit Abuse?
Every nursing home and assisted care facility in Plaquemine and around the state has the same duty to keep their residents safe. The state’s nursing home resident bill of rights is contained in Louisiana Revised Statute § 40:2010.8. While the statute does provide a general right to live in a safe environment, it also specifically mentions:
- The right to visits from immediate family
- The right to be free from physical or chemical restraints
- The right to receive or refuse medical treatment
- The right to be free from physical, mental, verbal, or emotional abuse
If a nursing home’s employee commits any of these acts, the nursing home’s owner is jointly liable. Because a company is vicariously liable for any actions taken by its employees while on the job, a claim will name the offender and the nursing home as codefendants. An Iberville Parish nursing home abuse attorney could provide more information about the rights of nursing home residents and how a violation could serve as the basis for a lawsuit.
Examples of Abuses that Can Occur in Nursing Homes
Nursing home abuse comes in one of two main forms. The first is abuse that is the result of negligence. Nursing homes may not properly train staff or provide adequate maintenance in rooms or common areas. This can result in injuries that occur from slips and falls, the development of bedsores, or an employee using an improper technique to move a resident from a bed to a wheelchair.
The other source of nursing home injuries is intentional abuse. It is not unheard of for workers to strike, berate, or punish residents. Just like in the case of accidents, a nursing home shares liability for these criminal acts that occur within its walls. A nursing home abuse attorney could research the cause of an injury in Plaquemine or elsewhere in Iberville Parish and determine if grounds exist to demand compensation.
Let an Iberville Parish Nursing Home Abuse Attorney Protect the Welfare of Loved Ones
People who make a move to an assisted living facility or a nursing home are in a vulnerable position. Many of these people are unable to care for their own needs, require-around-the clock nursing care, or may be unable to interact with their surroundings. This can leave them at high risk of being mistreated or neglected by the very people who are supposed to care for them.
Our team at Tomeny | Best Injury Lawyers could work to investigate the cause of an unexplained injury and pursue compensation from negligent nursing home owners. Take a step towards protecting the welfare of a loved one and seeking justice from at-fault nursing homes. Contact an Iberville Parish nursing home abuse lawyer today to learn more.
