Deciding to place a family member in a Virginia nursing home is one of the hardest decisions a family will ever have to make.
You hope that the home you choose will provide excellent care and treat them with the respect they deserve.
Many nursing homes employ competent and compassionate staff; however, that’s not the case in every facility.
Sadly, abuse and poor care is common in Virginia and many seniors are victims of nursing home abuse and neglect all across the country.
If you or someone you love is suffering at the hands of a nursing home, please contact a nursing home injury lawyer right away. Our attorneys can help you file your Virginia nursing home complaints.
At Lantz & Robins, PC, our Virginia nursing home injury lawyers have significant experience with personal injury, medical malpractice, and nursing home abuse and neglect cases.
Let us meet with you so that we can learn more about your situation.
We want to help you or your family member who is in danger.
Our priority is to eliminate the risk of any further injuries and keep the facility from causing harm to anyone else.
We will be there with you every step of the way.
Rights to Residents in Richmond, VA
As a resident of a nursing home, you have certain rights as outlined in Virginia law.
Nursing home malpractice in Richmond cap on damages available on any case involving healthcare, this cap goes up by $50,000 each year.
Residents have the right to:
- Participate in their medical treatment planning;
- Refuse medical treatment;
- Maintain confidential records;
- Be treated with sensitivity and dignity;
- Pick their own health care providers;
- Be free of restraints, unless they pose a threat to themselves or other people;
- Manage their personal finances and see statements that show any transactions made by the nursing home;
- Privacy;
- Be free of emotional, physical, sexual, emotional, and economic abuse or exploitation;
- Engage in religious, community, and social activities, unless their participation creates a medical risk; and
- Voice complaints about services and policies in the nursing home without the fear of discrimination, threats, or retribution.
These are only some of the legal rights nursing home residents have.
When a loved one is transferring into a nursing home, familiarize yourself with all the rights afforded to nursing home residents under Virginia law.
That can help you spot problems early on—hopefully before they escalate and your family member suffers additional harm.
Common Types of Nursing Home Accidents and Injuries in Richmond, VA
There are several common accidents and injuries we see in Virginia nursing homes.
Falls
The older we get, the greater the risk of falling becomes.
Falls account for several million emergency room visits across the country every year.
Nursing homes that do not adequately supervise their residents put them at risk of severe injuries.
Residents should all be assessed for their fall risk.
Those who have a high risk of falling are supposed to be monitored when getting out of bed, going to the bathroom, etc.
The residents should not be left alone when standing up.
Our bones become more fragile, and a fall could result in multiple broken bones.
Hip fractures are especially problematic and painful.
Invasive hip surgery for an elderly patient could have catastrophic consequences.
Pressure Sores
Nursing home residents tend to be very sedentary.
That means they are in bed much of the day or in a wheelchair.
Staff must adjust a non-mobile resident’s position regularly. Failure to do so can result in excruciating pressure sores, commonly called bedsores.
Pressure sores develop when the skin is damaged because the person was stuck in the same position too long.
If pressure sores are left untreated, they can become infected. Some patients have died due to complications from pressure sores.
Issues with Medications
Medication issues in nursing homes range from a failure to medicate to overmedicating.
Some unscrupulous nursing homes may use medication as a way to control residents.
Overmedicating a patient can result in severe consequences, including injuries and medical complications.
Physical Abuse
Physical abuse of residents in nursing homes results in numerous injuries.
You may see bruises and contusions where your family member was restrained.
Look for other unexplained wounds, such as cuts, welts, and bruises that may be in different stages of healing.
Head injuries, infections, and bone fractures also suggest that physical abuse may be going on.
Sexual Abuse
While sexual abuse is less prevalent when compared to other types of abuse, it does happen.
Sexual abuse can include assault, rape, unwanted touching, and more.
Perpetrators of sexual abuse typically are staff members, other residents, or even third-parties visiting the facility.
Signs to look for include unexplained STDs; bruises in the thighs, breasts, or genital area; and unusual bloodstains that could suggest injuries to the genital area.
Signs of Abuse and Neglect to Look Out For
Nursing home abuse and neglect in Richmond are responsible for many nursing home injuries.
If you suspect something is wrong, please contact Lantz & Robins, PC, right away. We can show you how to file a complain against a nursing home in Virginia.
Our Richmond nursing home injury attorneys are here to help.
The sooner you meet with us, the sooner we can start working on your case to ensure no further harm comes to you or your family member.
Look for potential warning signs and red flags that can point toward nursing home neglect or abuse.
How clean is the room?
Is the trash not dumped for days at a time? Are food trays left there all day?
Answers to these questions can already provide clues on how attentive the staff is.
If the nursing home is so understaffed that food trays are left sitting all day, it is very likely that a resident isn’t getting the care they need.
Numerous other red flags can suggest there is abuse going on as well. Wounds, bruises, and dramatic changes in attitude are worrisome.
If the resident cannot speak up for themself about what is taking place in the nursing home, family members must advocate on their behalf.
Compensation After a Virginia Nursing Home Injury
Pursuing compensation against a nursing home for abuse or neglect can be complicated.
Depending on the circumstances, multiple parties could be liable.
That is one reason why working with an experienced nursing home injury lawyer in Virginia is crucial.
A skilled attorney can show you how to report a nursing home in Virginia and help you seek compensation from all responsible parties.
Potential compensation in a nursing home injury case includes:
- Resident’s medical expenses, including hospitalization, diagnostic tests, prescription medications, physical therapy, rehabilitation, and mental health services;
- Expenses incurred with transporting your family member to another nursing home facility or private residence;
- Their physical pain and suffering;
- Emotional distress; and
- Potential future medical costs if the injury requires ongoing treatment.
In some cases, the court may award punitive damages.
If the nursing home intentionally caused harm to a resident or acted with gross negligence, punitive damages could apply.
Contact a Virginia Nursing Home Injury Attorney Today
Choosing the right nursing home takes extensive research. However, even the best-rated facilities can have problems.
Nursing home residents deserve the best care possible.
If that is not happening, you have the legal right to stand up against suspected abuse and neglect.
Your suspicions should be reported to the facility right away.
By registering your concerns, you can prevent your loved one from suffering additional injuries.
It can also save another family the heartache of having their loved one go through the same turmoil.
Next, contact a nursing home injury attorney who can help protect you and your family’s rights.
If you are searching for nursing home attorneys in VA, contact our legal team at Lantz & Robins, PC.
When you have questions on what constitutes nursing home abuse or neglect and who regulates nursing homes in Virginia, we can answer them.
If you are ready to pursue a nursing home abuse or neglect claim, let us put our years of experience to work for you.
Contact our office today to discuss your circumstances and learn more about how we can help.