Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers in White Plains, NY — Seeking Justice for Your Loved Ones
No one enjoys needing assistance in their elder years, but for most, it’s a simple fact of life. Fortunately, assisted living facilities offer an opportunity for aging and disabled adults to live somewhat of a normal life. Unfortunately, not all of these communities live up to the trust we place in them.
If a loved one is harmed or neglected while in assisted living, you might wonder about your options. A nursing home abuse lawyer in White Plains, NY may be able to help.
At Greenspan & Greenspan, we understand that placing a loved one in assisted living is often a difficult decision. However, these situations can become even more disheartening when you discover that abuse is occurring.
Fortunately, this is not something you simply have to accept. There are laws protecting you and your loved one, and you may be entitled to substantial compensation. Contact our law firm today to schedule a free consultation.
What Is Nursing Home Abuse?
A White Plains, NY nursing home abuse attorney can help you differentiate between abuse and normal conditions. However, it’s still ideal to understand what this term means so you can more easily identify wrongdoing. Nursing home abuse is intentional or unintentional harm inflicted upon residents of assisted living facilities. Abuse comes in many forms, and some are more difficult to identify than others.
Here are just a few examples of nursing home abuse:
- Physical abuse
- Emotional abuse
- Abandonment
- Neglect
- Sexual abuse
- Self-neglect
- Financial abuse
Unfortunately, rates of nursing home abuse and deaths caused by such abuse surged during the COVID-19 pandemic. This was primarily related to understaffing and overworked employees.
However, the reasoning behind this statistic doesn’t matter. These facilities take on a responsibility when they promise to provide care for those who need it. If they don’t take this duty seriously, let our nursing home abuse lawyer in White Plains, NY hold them accountable.
Are Nursing Home Abuse and Nursing Home Neglect Different?
The terms nursing home abuse and nursing home neglect are often used interchangeably. In reality, they are very different things — and it’s important to know about both so you can better understand your rights.
Nursing home abuse is a deliberate and intentional act that directly causes harm to residents or puts them at risk. Slapping, stealing money, yelling, and sexual assault all fall under this umbrella.
However, nursing home neglect causes harm because caregivers fail to fulfill their responsibilities. Not changing bedsheets, leaving residents completely alone, failing to ensure food is eaten, and other negligent actions are part of this category. Whether abuse or neglect is occurring could affect your loved one’s eventual compensation, but if either are happening, it’s time to speak with a nursing home abuse lawyer in White Plains, NY.
How to Identify Abuse in Nursing Homes
One of the most distressing issues related to potential abuse in nursing homes is simply identifying it. There are many instances when it may not be clear whether negligence or wrongful acts are occurring at all. For instance, a bruised arm could be a sign of abuse — or merely indicative of a clumsy loved one.
If you notice any of the following red flags, though, it’s time to start asking questions:
- Unexplained bruising
- Strong odors
- Dirty facilities
- Changes in loved one’s behavior
- Bed sores
- Unclean linens
- Missing property/money
- Lack of social activities
- Understaffing
- Unsafe conditions
- Patients left alone for long periods
- Call lights going unanswered
Many of these red flags could have perfectly innocent explanations. This is why it’s pertinent to have a nursing home abuse lawyer in White Plains, NY on your side. A skilled legal professional can help figure out whether these signs might be sinister in nature, and if the answer is unclear, their experience can lead to a revealing investigation.
Don’t just make guesses as to what’s going on. Let Greenspan & Greenspan advocate for your loved one.
What Can You Do if You Suspect Your Loved One Is Being Abused?
If you notice flags or have any suspicions that abuse is occurring, there are some important steps you should take. First, remain calm. You’ll want to keep a level head for what’s to come.
Start by speaking with nursing home staff members regarding your concerns. What may appear to be abuse could be nothing more than a misunderstanding. While this step is important, it’s also important that you don’t immediately take the word of staff members.
You’ll also want to discuss your concerns with your loved one. Do this in a one-on-one setting. If the facility refuses to allow this, you should immediately escalate the situation.
In New York, you can do this by filing a complaint with the Department of Health. However, you should contact police immediately if you believe your loved one or any residents are in immediate danger of harm — or if you believe physical or sexual abuse has occurred.
After ensuring your loved one is safe, reach out to our nursing home abuse attorney in White Plains, NY today.
Contact a Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer in White Plains, NY Today
When a loved one enters an assisted living community, we expect them to be properly cared for. If a facility fails to live up to this expectation, it’s important that they’re held accountable. Residents can suffer substantial injuries and worse.
And even if such injuries or neglect are minor, failing to speak up increases the risk that further abuse will occur. Even if you’re unsure what’s going on, it doesn’t hurt to speak with a personal injury attorney.
At Greenspan & Greenspan, our team of legal professionals is committed to seeking justice for our clients and their loved ones. Assisted living facilities have legal standards they must abide by, and while the pandemic may have made this more difficult, it does not excuse abuse or neglect. Contact us today by calling (914) 946-2500 to schedule a free consultation. Our nursing home abuse lawyers in White Plains, NY are on your side.