We must trust that the professional care our loved ones receive in nursing homes will improve their quality of life or, at a minimum, protect them from harm. Unfortunately, this trust is often broken. Our nursing home negligence attorneys in Wichita have seen the system fail families and residents far too often, resulting in serious injuries or worse. Nursing home negligence often results in severe physical or emotional harm and can even lead to the wrongful death of a resident. Such tragic outcomes can devastate families who believed their loved ones were in safe hands.
In some cases, nursing home abuse or neglect can also lead to medical malpractice claims if a healthcare provider fails to provide adequate care. When the staff or facility's medical professionals do not meet the standard of care expected, residents may suffer from untreated illnesses, infections, or improper medication, adding to the severity of their injuries. These failures are not only medical but also legal violations that demand accountability to ensure other residents are not placed at risk.
Families often face significant financial burdens when caring for loved ones who have suffered due to nursing home negligence, especially if they are uninsured or underinsured. The costs of medical treatments, rehabilitation, and long-term care can quickly add up, further compounding the emotional strain. In some instances, nursing home negligence can also arise from unsafe conditions on the premises, leading to premises liability claims. When facilities neglect to maintain safe environments, residents may be vulnerable to falls, hazardous equipment, or other dangers.
When an elderly resident is injured in an accident, such as a slip and fall, the resulting injuries can be as severe as those in a car or truck accident. These accidents often lead to fractures, head injuries, or other serious medical conditions that can significantly affect the victim’s quality of life. Families need experienced legal guidance to navigate these complex situations and seek the justice their loved ones deserve.
The coronavirus and the aging baby boomer population has further stressed a broken system. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services continues to report critical understaffing within the nation’s long-term care and nursing facilities. Combined with continued consolidation of the industry into the hands of fewer and fewer for-profit nursing home operators, a recipe for disaster has long been brewing in the nation’s elder-care system.
Today, more than 70 percent of the nation’s 15,6000 nursing homes are run by for-profit corporations.
Our nursing home abuse lawyers in Wichita know visitors and guests to these facilities are often the only line of defense when it comes to ensuring the safety and welfare of our most vulnerable older adults. If you see something, say something.
At Riedmiller, Andersen and Scott LLC, our veteran Wichita nursing home neglect lawyers believe victims and families deserve immediate access to experienced legal help without concerns over upfront costs. That’s why we offer confidential consultations and accept clients on a contingency fee basis, which means we get paid only when we are successful in winning compensation for you and your family.
Common types of nursing home neglect and abuse include:
Visitors are often the best safeguard when it comes to protecting residents from unsafe facilities. The vast majority of visitors enter a facility around the holidays. It’s common for these facilities to make improvements, increase staff, or otherwise attempt to hide routine conditions that prevail through the remainder of the year. Fresh paint and strong air-fresheners are common, as is increased staffing. However, unkept or listless residents are unlikely to rebound. If you see questionable conditions during the holidays, you can be assured they do not improve throughout the remainder of the year.
Common warning signs include:
If you have concerns, the best thing you can do is to reach out to an experienced nursing home negligence attorney for a free and confidential consultation. Ignoring the issues only leave defenseless residents at the mercy of a facility that is putting profits ahead of the wellbeing and safety of residents.
The veteran nursing home neglect lawyers at Riedmiller, Andersen and Scott LLC represent injury victims and their families in Wichita, Kansas and the surrounding areas, including Valley Center, Park City, Kechi, Bel Aire, Eastbourough, Andover, Derby, Newton, El Dorado, Arkansas City, Winfield, Haysville, Goddard and Maize. For a confidential consultation to discuss your rights call 316-648-1369.