Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect

Abuse in the Nursing Home

Abuse can happen to anyone, anywhere. Abuse of an elder can happen in their own home, in a family's home, a boarding home, or nursing home facility. There are several different kinds of abuse. Abuse can be physical abuse, sexual abuse, neglect, mental or emotional abuse, abandonment or exploitation. Abuse doesn't pertain to only the poor but includes the wealthy, the physically disabled, sick, mentally ill or mentally competent, alone or surrounded by friends and family. Elderly adults residing in nursing homes are highly vulnerable and are a high risk for abuse.

Types of Nursing Home Abuse

The types of nursing home abuse can be divided up into the following categories, Click a link below to learn more about nursing home abuse:

Reporting Nursing Home Abuse is the Law

Texas law requires anyone who suspects nursing home abuse, exploitation or neglect of an elderly or person, or nursing home resident, to report the incident. It's important you learn how to identify nursing home abuse. If you suspect abuse of an elderly person who resides at a nursing home, contact the Texas Department of Human Services (long-term care) at 1-800-458-9858. Alternatively, you can report nursing home abuse concerns by calling the Texas Medicaid Fraud Hotline at 1-800-252-8011.

If you call to make a complaint about nursing home abuse, you should be prepared to provide the name and address of the nursing home, name and room number of the nursing home resident, a brief statement of the complaint, and your own name, phone number and address. Anonymity is guaranteed to anyone who files a complaint or reports nursing home abuse and/or neglect. If a complaint alleges that a resident has died a wrongful death or is in imminent danger due to conditions in a nursing home, the Texas Department of Human Services must investigate the complaint within 24 hours. The nursing home facility will not be given advanced notice of the inspection, and witnesses will be interviewed in private.

It is against the law for nursing homes to retaliate against a resident, family member or employee who makes a complaint of elderly abuse. Talk to an experienced nursing home attorney about your rights if you suspect nursing home abuse.

If a loved one is injured or dies as a result of nursing home abuse and/or neglect, Texas law allows you or your family to file a lawsuit against the nursing home for claims resulting from negligence and/or wrongful death.

Hire an experienced nursing home lawyer that understands and is sympathetic to victims of nursing home abuse and their family. Jeff Rasansky has a wealth of complex litigation experience. Jeff has successfully handled numerous nursing home abuse, negligence and wrongful death cases.

Do not procrastinate when reporting nursing home abuse. Memories fade, evidence such as medical/nursing home records can be altered, destroyed or lost. Bad situations rarely improve on their own. Act now (not a month or a year from now) to protect yourself, your loved ones and your rights when overcoming nursing home abuse.

One of the best defenses against nursing home abuse is detailed notes. If you or a loved one has been injured while staying in a nursing home, keep a log or diary of problems noted. Keep a record of to whom and when the abuse was reported, the action that was taken, and any other relevant information. Also take note of your loved one's moods and behavior while staying at the nursing home.

Do not talk with anyone other than a nursing home lawyer about your concerns about the nursing home's care. You should not discuss your case with anyone. This includes insurance adjusters who may call you, nursing home administrators, nursing home directors and/or the nursing home attorneys. Also, be mindful of what you say to surveyors from the Texas Department of Human Services. The words you use will be the basis for a complaint and investigation against the nursing home.

Commitment to Nursing Home Abuse Victims and Their Families

Nursing home lawyer Jeffrey H. Rasansky has one mission: to fight for the rights of victims of nursing home abuse, negligence, neglect and other injustices against our elderly. Jeff has successfully won nursing home lawsuits and negotiated millions in settlements defending the rights of nursing home residents.

Jeff Rasansky is licensed to practice before all state courts in Texas, the United States District Courts in the Northern and Eastern Districts of Texas and the Fifth United States Circuit Court of Appeals.

Click here to contact a lawyer at the Law Offices of Jeff Rasansky to discuss your nursing home abuse case. We will fight for the rights of you and your loved one.