Milwaukee Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer

Nursing homes are meant to be safe and comfortable places for elderly patients, but unfortunately, this is not always the case. Nursing home abuse can take many forms, from physical violence to emotional manipulation and financial abuse.

Abusive behavior in nursing facilities is a growing problem in the United States and can happen to anyone. If you have an elderly loved one in a nursing home, you must be aware of the signs of abuse and know what to do if you suspect your loved one is being mistreated.

Are you concerned that your loved one is being abused in a nursing home? The personal injury attorneys at Injury Lawyer Team, sponsored by Rosenfeld Law Offices, can take immediate legal steps to protect your elderly or disabled loved one.

National Nursing Home Abuse Statistics and Facts

According to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), more than 1.5 million elders are annually victims of abuse and neglect in nursing homes. This amounts to one out of every ten residents in the United States.

Nursing home abuse can take many forms, including physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, and financial exploitation. It can also include neglect, which is the failure to provide necessary care and services.

• Nursing home residents are more likely to suffer from nursing home abuse, such as bed sores, malnutrition, and dehydration.
• Nursing home residents are also more likely to be physical abused or neglected, resulting in experiencing falls, fractures, and pressure ulcers.
• The average cost of a nursing home stay in the United States is $87,000 annually.
• In 2020, 1.3 million people were living in nursing homes in the United States.
• There are over 15,000 nursing centers in the United States.
• The average nursing home resident has a 64% chance of being admitted to a hospital in any given year.
• Nursing home residents account for over 5.5 million hospital days yearly, costing the healthcare system over $17 billion.
• Nearly 50% of facility nurses claim they failed to notice a resident’s medical health changes due to exhaustion when working in busy nursing home settings.
• While likely under-reported, estimates of financial abuse costs to older Americans range from $2.6 billion to $36.5 billion annually.

There are currently over 3.5 million nurses working in the United States, accounting for nearly 60% of all direct care workers in long-term care facilities. Nurses are essential in providing quality care to nursing home patients, but they are often overworked and underpaid.

Doctors also play an essential role in the care of nursing home residents, and they should be consulted regularly to ensure that residents receive appropriate care and treatment. Don’t let your elderly loved one become a statistic; contact us for a free initial consultation to discuss your case.

Wisconsin Nursing Home Physical and Emotional Abuse Data

According to the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS), in 2020, there were 893 reports of abuse, neglect, and exploitation of residents in nursing care homes. This number is likely underestimated as it only includes cases reported to the department. The actual number of incidents is probably much higher.

All nursing home abuse incidents can have a devastating impact on the victim’s health and well-being.

• The average Wisconsin nursing home resident is over 80 years old.
• Nursing home neglect accounts for approximately 14% of reported elder abuse cases.
• Sexual abuse accounts for 2% of reported incidents in Milwaukee nursing homes.
• Resident-to-resident abuse accounts for 2% of all Milwaukee nursing home abuse reports.
• The average personal injury claim involving Milwaukee nursing home abuse paid by one or more life insurance policies was approximately $87,000.

Common Causes of Nursing Home Neglect and Abuse

Nursing home neglect and abuse are significant problems in the United States. According to the National Center on Elder Abuse (NCEA), neglect and abuse are the most common issues in nursing facilities.

These problems can negatively impact Milwaukee nursing home patients. Remember, if you, a disabled or elderly person you love, were harmed in any of the following ways, contact us for a free consultation with a Milwaukee nursing home abuse lawyer.

Nursing Negligence

Neglect can occur when a caregiver does not provide the necessary care to a disabled resident or elderly person. Negligence could include:

• Failing to provide sufficient food, water, and primary medical care: Without adequate nutrients and health care, nursing home patients suffer significant injuries or develop life-threatening medical conditions that are preventable.
• Leaving the resident in an unsafe environment: If a nursing home does not maintain a safe environment, residents could be seriously injured if they fall or wander off (elope).
• Failing to provide adequate supervision: If a resident is not adequately supervised, they could be at risk for falls, wandering off, and being hurt by various hazards.
• Developing bed sore: Failing to provide appropriate skin care could lead to life-threatening pressure sores.

Nursing Home Abuse

Abuse could occur when anyone, including a caregiver, intentionally harms, mistreats, or bullies a resident through physical abuse, emotional abuse, sexual abuse, or financial abuse. Abuse can also include deliberately denying a resident necessary medical care or services.

Abuse could include:

• Physical abuse: The physical signs of abuse could include hitting, slapping, shoving, or any other type of physical force that results in injury. Broken bones and other physical abuse are among the noticeable signs of mistreatment in Milwaukee nursing home facilities.
• Sexual Abuse: non-consensual sexual contact of any kind is abusive and might involve sexual intercourse, oral sex, sodomy, inappropriate touching/kissing, and forcing the resident to undress or watch others undress. Family members should be concerned about an unexplained sexually transmitted disease.
• Emotional abuse: yelling, name-calling, belittling, threatening, or any other verbal or nonverbal behavior that results in psychological trauma are common signs of bullying. Sudden mood changes and emotional outbursts are noticeable signs of emotional trauma.
• Financial abuse: unauthorized use of a loved one’s bank accounts, access to their bank account information, or stealing personal property for the benefit of someone other than the resident.
• Elder abuse: Typically, elder abuse involves physical or mental harm to an elderly person in their home, in hospitals, at assisted living facilities, or in nursing homes.

Neglect and abuse can have severe consequences for nursing home patients. These problems can lead to physical and emotional injuries and financial exploitation. Many cognitively impaired residents that exhibit unusual behavior like emotional outbursts could indicate elder neglect or abuse.

Any family member who suspects an elderly loved one is being neglected or abused in a nursing home should report the problem to authorities. Contact an experienced Milwaukee nursing home abuse lawyer to discuss your legal options and potential remedies in a free consultation.

Both neglect and abuse can have a significant negative impact on the health of nursing home patients. Residents who experience neglect are more likely to experience malnutrition and dehydration.

They are also more likely to develop bed sores and other infections. Residents who experience abuse are more likely to suffer from physical injuries, emotional distress, and sexual assault.

The National Center on Elder Abuse provides information and resources on protecting yourself from nursing home neglect and abuse. It is essential to be aware of the signs of neglect and abuse and report any concerns you may have.

Nursing Home Negligence and Developing Bedsores

According to the National Center on Elder Abuse, nursing home patients are often susceptible to developing life-threatening bedsores (pressure sores, pressure wounds, pressure ulcers, decubitus ulcers).

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) recognized developing bedsores as “never events,” meaning they should never develop when the nursing staff follows established skin care protocols.

Why Bedsores Develop

Continuous pressure on a body part for longer than 90 minutes restricts blood flow and nutrients to the area. Without movement, readjusting the body, or alleviating the pressure, bedsores can develop quickly, causing significant harm.

Bedsores are most likely to occur on areas of the body with little flesh or padding over bony prominences. These areas include the following:

• Back of the head
• Shoulders
• Elbows
• Hips
• Buttocks
• Heels

The Stages of Bedsores

There are four stages of bedsores, with stage four being the most severe:

• Stage 1: The area is red and painful. The skin may be warm to the touch. This stage can last for hours or days.
• Stage 2: The sore deepens, causing the top layer of skin to break open and form an ulcer. The surrounding skin may appear shiny and moist. Stage 2 can last for days or weeks.
• Stage 3: The sore continues to deepen, reaching the fatty tissue beneath the skin. The surrounding skin may appear sunken in. Stage 3 can last weeks or months before degrading from a lack of appropriate wound treatment.
• Stage 4: The sore extends through all layers of skin, down to the bone. The sore may also be infected. Stage 4 can last for months or years.

How to Prevent Bedsores

The best way to prevent bedsores is by keeping the skin clean and dry and moving the person every two hours, so they don’t lie in one position for too long. Other ways to prevent bedsores include:

• Using pillows, sheepskin, or foam wedges to keep pressure off of bony prominences
• Keeping the person’s nails trimmed and clean
• Exercising the person’s joints and muscles
• Using unique beds, mattresses, or cushions designed to reduce pressure
• Monitoring the person’s skin daily for signs of redness or soreness

What to Do If Bedsores Develop

If you notice that nursing home patients have developed a pressure sore, it’s essential to notify the staff immediately. The sooner the bedsore is treated, the better. Treatment will vary depending on the stage of the skin wound.

Early stages can be treated with topical ointments and creams, while more advanced stages may require surgery. In some cases, antibiotics may be necessary to clear up an infection.

Bedsores can be extremely painful and lead to serious health complications, so it’s essential to take measures to prevent them from developing in the first place.

If you suspect that a nursing home resident is not being adequately cared for and bedsores are present, don’t hesitate to contact an experienced Milwaukee nursing home abuse lawyer who can help protect their rights.

Hiring Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers to Resolve Compensation Claims

Do you suspect that your disabled or elderly loved one’s injuries and changing eating habits result from nursing home abuse or negligence? Did you notice unexplained broken bones, poor hygiene, or the staff’s failure to maintain adequate care led to your family member’s declining mental health or death?

Our Milwaukee, WI nursing home abuse lawyer can take immediate legal action to hold the nursing home or assisted living facility financially accountable. Contact our Wisconsin law office to schedule a free case evaluation to discuss your loved one’s poor health, confusion, or trauma causing emotional distress.

Our nursing home abuse lawyers sponsored by Rosenfeld Law Offices accept all personal injury cases and wrongful death lawsuits through contingency fee agreements. This promise ensures you will pay nothing until we secure financial compensation on your behalf through a negotiated settlement or jury award.

During your free consultation, all confidential or sensitive information you share with our Wisconsin elder abuse attorneys remains private through an attorney-client relationship.

Resources:

• Older Adult Abuse in Nursing Homes  | NCBI
• Elder Abuse | WHO