Nursing Home Neglect Attorney in Kansas City, MO
It can be surprising how the people we trusted to care for our elderly loved ones are capable of neglecting and hurting them. It is also difficult to imagine how it can impact their health and well-being. It is saddening how some nursing home facilities fail to provide them with the necessary care and take advantage of their vulnerabilities. Tackling your case with a nursing home neglect attorney in Kansas City, MO can benefit you the most.
Dealing with nursing home facility neglect situations can be overwhelming. You may even have a hard time processing the unimaginable things your loved one experienced. But you need to stand up, fight for their rights and prevent similar things from happening to other nursing home residents. To help you hold the nursing home administrators and staff members accountable, you need to get legal assistance from a knowledgeable nursing home neglect lawyer in Kansas City, Missouri.
Speak to us now! You can get a free consultation with our reliable lawyer who’s dedicated to fighting for nursing home neglect victims.
Why Do I Need a Nursing Home Neglect Attorney in Missouri?
If your loved one has been subjected to nursing home neglect it is highly recommended to seek legal advice from a capable nursing home attorney in Kansas City. You need a lawyer who can help you shed light on the neglect committed against your elderly beloved. A law firm that can provide legal representation to ensure you receive the financial compensation your family deserves.
Our law firm has a strong commitment to fighting for those individuals in vulnerable states. We want to be their voice and fight for their legal rights.Â
You can rely on the familiarity of our lawyer in navigating state and federal regulations governing nursing home neglect. Not to mention the hundreds of successful cases we have handled. Ricket Law Firm can assure you that we will maximize your chance of success in this case by
- Conducting a thorough investigation of the incident with the help of experts in nursing home neglect casesÂ
- Determining the maximum compensatory damages claims you can demandÂ
- Filing your claim and ensuring it is within the statute of limitation
- Entering into settlement negotiations with the nursing home facility care providers and aiming that you receive reasonable compensation amountÂ
- Representing your loved one and family in all legal proceedings if filing a lawsuit is your preferred pathÂ
Do not prolong the agony of your loved one under the care of their abusive and negligent nursing home providers. Contact us now and learn how we can bring justice to your beloved!Â
What is Nursing Home Neglect?
Nursing homes have obligations to attend to needs and provide care to their residents. But some nursing homes fail to deliver their job. They are not able to provide their patients with basic needs like proper medical treatment, food, water, good hygiene, a healthy environment, and other services. Â
This act of nursing home neglect can cause severe damage to the residents. Nursing home neglect often results in physical or emotional damage. On some unfaithful occasions, it can even lead to wrongful death. Nursing home neglect has many forms including but not limited to
- Physical mishandling of residents
- Leaving the nursing home resident with mobility issues in their room for hoursÂ
- Failure to call a doctor or nurse when needed
- Failure to change residents’ clothes or beddings regularly
- Failure to clean residents regularly
- Not giving enough food or water to nursing home resident
- Failure to detect malnutrition
- Failure to treat residents’ infections, injuries, or other illnessesÂ
- Failure to maintain sanitary environment conditions
- Feeding nursing home resident with contaminated food
- Lack of supervision
- Administering wrong medications
- Medical dosage errors
- Surgical and aftercare errors
- General neglect and lack of compassion for nursing home residentÂ
If your family member or friends are victims of nursing home neglect you can take legal action. Learn how you can pursue financial compensation and hold the nursing home including their staff members accountable. Contact our legal team right now and let our experienced nursing home neglect and personal injury lawyer in Kansas City guide you in the process.
What are the Types of Nursing Home Neglect in Kansas City?
There are various types of nursing home neglect that your family and loved ones may experience in a nursing home. It is crucial to understand how each type of neglect differs to properly determine if your loved ones are victims. Below are the common types of neglect in Kansas nursing homes.Â
Medical Neglect
Nursing home residents require proper attention when it comes to their medical care. Medical neglect occurs when nursing home care providers are not able to properly treat or prevent health problems and administer correct medications to residents. Failure to pay close attention to a resident who has mobility issues or suffering from dementia, diabetes, and other medical conditions that require monitoring is also medical neglect. Â
Neglect of Basic Needs
We have fundamental basic needs like adequate food and water, heat and air conditioning, clothing, and a clean healthy environment. When nursing home facilities failed to provide residents with these fundamental needs, it is considered neglect of basic needs. Residents may suffer from dehydration, malnutrition, and illnesses. They can also be at higher risk of falling or theft if their environment is not safe and lacks basic needs.Â
Neglect of Personal Hygiene
Nursing home facility residents need to receive adequate help with bathing, laundry, changing their beddings, dental care, cleaning their surroundings, and more. Failure to help residents in their personal hygiene falls under neglect. This may result in residents developing hygiene-related diseases.Â
Emotional or Social Neglect
If nursing home employees are not giving proper attention to the residents, ignoring, leaving them alone, or not allowing them to interact with friends, family, or other residents they may suffer from emotional or social neglect. Nursing home residents with mobility problems face a higher risk of social neglect. They are significantly dependent on their care providers to help them move and socialize with others.Â
If you suspect that your loved one has been suffering any type of neglect in their nursing homes, they are in immediate danger. Call for help right away by dialing 911 or the police. And speak to a skilled nursing home and personal injury lawyer in Kansas City to help you know your legal options and fight for their rights.
What is the Difference Between Nursing Home Abuse and Nursing Home Neglect?
Nursing home abuse and neglect are both forms of severe nursing home mistreatment of residents but they are different. The main difference between the two is intent. Nursing home abuse is a deliberate, intentional act carried out against a resident causing them pain and injury. On the other hand, nursing home neglect is a type of abuse characterized by a lack of action to fulfill duties as nursing home providers.Â
Nursing home abuse is an intentional act of violence that can inflict physical or emotional pain on the residents. It can also include sexual acts, extortion, calling them names, or insulting them. Common forms of nursing home abuse include
- Physical abuse. Punching, hitting, slapping, pushing, pinching, grabbing, assaulting, any forms of restraint, or anything that can cause body injuries
- Emotional/psychological abuse. Degrading, insulting, verbal abuse, isolating, or anything that can harm residents’ mental health
- Sexual abuse. Touching, groping, rape, oral sex, forcing to watch pornographic materials, any unconsented sexual actsÂ
- Financial abuse or exploitation. Stealing residents’ money and properties, befriending residents to gain access to their finances, forcing them to sign financial documents, and other forms of exploitationÂ
- Neglect. Failure by the staff member to provide for the basic needs of the residents like food, water, clothing, bathing, healthy environment, and more
- Abandonment. The act of leaving residents alone for a long period especially those with mobility issuesÂ
Nursing home neglect is often due to unintentional failure to provide the necessary care. But it can also be either passive or active, depending on the employee’s intent. It is neglect if employees failed to uphold their standard procedures in giving reasonable care for and protecting residents causing residents to suffer from harm.Â
If you have suspicions that your loved one suffering from nursing home abuse or neglect, you should not think twice. Let the authorities know and contact a Kansas City nursing home abuse lawyer as soon as possible. Your top priority should be ensuring the protection and safety of your family member. A credible attorney can help you protect your elderly loved one while pursuing justice on their behalf.
What are the Common Nursing Home Negligence Injuries in Kansas City?
If the nursing home residents are in a vulnerable condition. Providing adequate care and protection to them regularly is necessary. Any form of neglect will have a significant impact on their health and well-being. And it can lead to serious bodily injuries and mental health conditions if not addressed as soon as possible.Â
Some of the common health issues and bodily injuries that neglected nursing home residents face include but are not limited toÂ
- Malnutrition/dehydration
- Depression or emotional withdrawal
- Bedsores/ulcers
- Physical injuries, such as broken bones, bruises, scratches, cuts, or burnsÂ
- Fall-related injuries
- Post-traumatic stress disorder
- Sepsis/septic shock
These conditions can have life-changing effects to victims and their loved ones. The pain and trauma that residents suffered because of negligence and misconduct are unimaginable. Ricket Law Firm specializes in nursing home neglect and we provide representation to nursing home neglect victims and their families. Reach out to our law firm and learn how we can help you achieve the justice and compensation you deserve.
How Can I Tell if Nursing Home Neglect is Occuring?
It can be difficult to identify nursing home neglect if you don’t have an idea of its warning signs and how are they manifested. Paying close attention to your loved one during visits is crucial. It is also important to keep in constant communication with them. Nursing home residents may hesitate in reporting what is happening to them. They may feel intimidated to speak up.Â
Watch Out for Warning Signs
It is your responsibility to make sure that the nursing home that takes care of them is living up to its standards. You need to keep an eye on any signs of neglect and carefully look for evidence if you suspect that something is not right. Below are some of the warning signs of neglect that can help you determine if your loved ones are in danger.Â
- Unexplainable health problems
- Unexplainable weight loss or gain
- Negative changes in mood or behavior
- Increased agitation
- Questionable new restrictions while visiting residents
- Physical injuries like bruises, burns, cuts, scrapes, and more that can’t be explained by the employeesÂ
- Signs of physical or chemical restraint
- Sudden fear of particular staff member/employee
- Elopement
- Unclean or unsanitary environmental conditions
- Sudden changes to the power of attorney, wills, trusts, and others
- Questionable withdrawals and other bank transactions
Always put your elderly loved one safety a priority. Do not be complacent that nursing homes will take care of them properly all the time. Nursing home abuse and neglect can occur when you least expect it. Make sure to always check with them and ask them if everything is okay. If they have complaints or accusations towards a staff member or fellow residents, take them seriously.Â
If you don’t know how to deal with nursing home neglect committed against your beloved, seek legal advice from a trusted nursing home neglect attorney in Kansas City!Â
What are the Possible Causes of Nursing Home Neglect?
- Understaffing
- Poor hiring process (unqualified and inexperienced workers)
- Poorly trained staff members
- Employee burnoutÂ
- Staff member experiencing chronic fatigue and intense stress caused by overworking
- Substance abuse while workingÂ
What Should I Do If I Suspect Nursing Home Neglect?
If you fear your loved one is in danger because of suspected neglect in a nursing home, dial 911 and report to the police right away. Do not delay it any further because unimaginable things might happen if you will not take action immediately. You should also contact Kansas Department of Aging and Disability Services and Kansas Long Term Care Ombudsman Office to file a formal complaint against the facility.Â
Send Your Loved One for a Medical Checkup
After reporting the incident to the authorities, make sure to provide necessary medical care to the victim. Bring your loved ones to the hospital to check her medical condition and if there is immediate treatment necessary. Do not forget to properly document everything. Photograph their current condition, all bodily injuries, and any evidence that can help your case later on.Â
Report to Authorities and Submit a Formal Complaint
Reporting to the police and submitting a formal complaint can strengthen your case. The medical reports from the hospital will be a great help too. If there are witnesses from the nursing home who can provide testimony about the neglect, it’s best to get their contact details. Coordinate with the nursing home administration but if they refused to cooperate, take note of all communications with them as this can also be used against them.Â
Lastly, get in touch with a respected Kansas City nursing home neglect lawyer. You can discuss in detail your case with us and we will help you establish your case. Ricket Law Firm is known for helping victims hold nursing homes accountable for their negligence and secure maximum compensation claims.Â
What are Compensation Claims in Nursing Home Neglect?
Filing compensation claims in Kansas can be tricky. There are various factors to be considered and evidence to be presented. How much and the extent of recoverable damages will depend on the level of injury inflicted to the victim and the proof you can submit to support the claim. Legal assistance and representation from a reputable nursing home and personal injury lawyer are necessary.Â
Neglect can be hard to prove. But with the extensive experience of Ricket Law Firm in the practice area, our attorney knows exactly what to be presented in order to get your case moving. We will help you review and file your case correctly. And we will provide accurate information to the court and investigators.Â
Resolving through Settlement or Lawsuit
Nursing home neglect claims can either be resolved by settlement or lawsuit. Whichever path you wish to take, Ricket Law Firm will work hard to arrive at a favorable decision for your lawsuit case or maximum settlement amount. Compensation claims you can demand on behalf of your loved one can include:Â
- Moving to another nursing home or home care
- Medical bills
- Personal injury claims for physical harms inflicted
- Personal injury claims for emotional/psychological pain and sufferingÂ
- Therapies and rehabilitationÂ
- Wrongful death claim (if neglect resulted to sudden death)
- Replacement of stolen properties
- Reimbursement of nursing home billsÂ
- Legal fees
Nursing Home Neglect Statute of Limitations
The statute of limitations is the deadline or time limit on how long an individual can take legal action about a nursing home neglect case. The deadline for filing a legal lawsuit against the nursing home is only two years. The two-year period begins from the date of the neglect that caused bodily injury or emotional damage.Â
Importance of Filing a Lawsuit Before Statute of Limitation Expire
If you failed to file a lawsuit before the statute of limitation expired, you can no longer demand recoverable damages and hold the nursing home responsible for the suffering of the victim.Â
Engaging a seasoned Kansas City nursing home neglect attorney can help you ensure that your case will be processed on time. Ricket Law Firm can take care of your legal case while you focus on the well-being and health of your loved ones. We have a track record of speedy legal trials that can ensure you get the compensation and justice you deserve at the earliest possible time.Â
Call our Qualified Nursing Home Neglect Attorney in Kansas City, MO Now!
Elderly loved ones are often susceptible to nursing home neglect. Their old age and medical and physical condition leave them unable to tend to themselves. They can’t protect themselves when exposed to nursing home abuse and neglect. They are heavily dependent on their families and loved ones, friends, and care providers.
It is never easy to cope knowing your vulnerable loved one suffered unthinkable neglect while in the hands of your trusted nursing home care providers. It can be painful and difficult to deal with. And it is more devastating if nursing home negligence caused you to lose the life of your beloved.Â
We at Ricket Law Firm understand the complexity of your situation. And we genuinely want to help you. Our law firm believes in the importance of protecting people from abuse and neglect. And we work to bring justice to your loved ones and receive proper compensation claims. It will not be an easy battle but we are prepared and we know how to fight you for.Â
Ricket Law Firm is just a phone away. Call us today and let’s discuss how we can help you!Â
