Nursing Home Abuse Attorney in Louisville, KY
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Making the decision to place your parent or loved one in the hands of a nursing home or assisted care facility can be an extremely difficult decision. In wanting the best for your loved one, you chose a nursing home with the expectation that they would provide proper care. Mike Schafer is “The Lawyer Who Wrote the Book” on nursing home abuse and neglect in Louisville, KY. If you or a loved one has been the victim of nursing home abuse or elder abuse, you may have questions. Mike Schafer, Bryan Meader, and The Schafer Law Office have the answers. Contact the Louisville nursing home abuse lawyers at The Schafer Law Office for helpful insight into your Kentucky elder abuse case.
Kentucky nursing home abuse information:
Facts About Nursing Home Abuse in Louisville, KY
How is nursing home abuse defined by Kentucky Law?
How Do I Report Nursing Home Abuse in Kentucky?
Contact an Experienced Nursing Home Abuse Attorney in Louisville, KY
Kentucky Nursing Home Abuse FAQ
The Facts About Nursing Home Abuse in Louisville, KY
Nursing home abuse is a widespread problem that happens all across Kentucky and our country. But, these injustices aren’t only limited to nursing home facilities, they can also happen at home in the form of elder abuse. In the United States, about 3.2 million people reside in nursing homes and are subject to neglect or abuse.
Facts about nursing facilities:
- Around 1 in 10 Americans age 60+ have been a victim of some form of elder abuse.
- It is estimated that nearly 5 million elders are abused each year.
- Out of those 5 million, 1 in 14 of those cases is actually reported.
- In nearly 60 % of incidents, the abuser is a family member.
How is nursing home abuse defined by Kentucky Law?
Elder abuse and nursing home abuse can take many forms including emotional abuse, physical abuse, confinement, sexual abuse, passive neglect, financial exploitation, and willful deprivation. The perpetrators of nursing home abuse or elder abuse can have many identities, such as spouses, siblings, children, other family members, and staff at nursing home facilities, assisted living, and other facilities. Some examples of elder abuse and nursing home abuse in Kentucky include:
- Malnutrition- A proper diet and hydration is important for everyone, but is even more important for people in need of eldercare. This is one of the most common forms of elder abuse and leads to thousands of deaths each year.
- Bedsores- Anyone that is bedridden should be moved and repositioned every two hours. This is the standard when it comes to elders who are confined to their beds. Without doing this, infections can take place that a painful and can lead to serious illness and even death
- Falls- A fall for an elder can be a much more serious occurrence because a broken bone is a much more serious injury the older a person gets. Falls in nursing facilities or under the supervision of home care staff can often be the product of neglect or improper care.
- Wandering- Wandering is something that can become common in elders with Alzheimer’s disease. Understanding this is part of what is expected from nursing home and home care employees because wandering can result in serious or fatal injury in elders.
- Medication errors- Elderly patients often are in need of precise prescriptions that must be carefully documented by eldercare professionals. Communication is key between elder care professionals and pharmacists because any error can be harmful.
How Do I Report Nursing Home Abuse in Kentucky?
Although an estimated 5,000,000 elders are abused each year, one study estimates that only one in 14 incidents are formally reported.
If you suspect that a nursing home resident is being abused, neglected, or exploited financially, you can call the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services, which has a 24-hour hotline at 1-877-597-2331. If necessary, these calls may be made anonymously. This agency is responsible for investigating allegations of elder abuse and notifying law enforcement.
Other resources include:
- The Elder Abuse & Neglect Hotline operated by the Attorney-General: 1-877-228-7384
- The Long Term Care Ombudsman Program: 1-800-372-2973
Non-emergency cases may also be reported online to the Kentucky Child / Adult Protective Services Reporting System online.
If the senior being abused is someone you love, a Louisville nursing home abuse lawyer can help you protect them and pursue compensation. Contact Schafer Law Office immediately at (502) 584-9511.
Contact an Experienced Nursing Home Abuse Attorney in Louisville, KY
If you or a loved one is a victim of nursing home abuse or elder abuse, you’ll need to find a reliable Louisville nursing home abuse attorney as soon as possible. The Schafer Law Office will make sure any evidence that will help your case can still be gathered and not destroyed. A reliable Kentucky nursing home abuse attorney can help you understand your case and Kentucky law. You want an elder abuse attorney who cares about you and can offer you personalized representation. You’ll find all that and much more in Mike Schafer, Bryan Meader, and The Schafer Law Office in Louisville, KY. They will aid you in getting justice for your loved one.
With nursing home abuse lawyers Mike Schafer and Bryan Meader on your side, you’ll be in good hands. The Schafer Law Office has been helping nursing home abuse and neglect victims get compensated for more than 25 years. Unlike big law firms that will have other people work on your case, Mike or Bryan is personally involved in every case.
The Schafer Law Office knows the challenges and pitfalls of nursing home abuse cases in Kentucky, all the tactics of the “other” side, and how to best present the facts. They can handle the brutal tactics of the insurance companies. In fact, before Mike opened The Schafer Law Office, he worked for an insurance defense firm. He really knows all the tactics that the insurance companies have up their sleeves to wreck your Kentucky nursing home abuse case. Contact The Schafer Law Office for questions about how we can aid you in your nursing home abuse case or nursing home neglect case in Louisville, KY.
Kentucky Nursing Home Abuse FAQ
What Should I Do When a Loved One is Abused in a Nursing Home in Louisville?
If an elderly parent or other loved one has suffered unexplained injuries, lost weight, or is showing signs of poor hygiene, they may be experiencing nursing home abuse. Although the thought will leave you angry, it’s important to stay rational as you take the following steps to protect them.
- Address your concerns to the nursing home staff and management. If they can’t or won’t explain the situation to your satisfaction, you’ll want to take further action.
- Speak to your loved one privately. If the nursing home management won’t let you be alone with them, notify a Louisville nursing home abuse lawyer who can help you report your concerns and protect the person. Call the police if your loved one is clearly showing signs of abuse or appears to be in imminent danger.
Reporting neglect and abuse is the only way to stop it, especially if your loved one is unable to speak for themselves. Consulting an attorney will ensure that action is taken swiftly and the person receives the care and protection they deserve.
How Can I Prove Nursing Home Neglect in Louisville?
Many Kentucky seniors rely on nursing home care. Unfortunately, some of them experience neglect and abuse in places that are supposed to take care of them.
In general, you should suspect neglect if your loved one appears dehydrated, malnourished, or withdraws from activities they once enjoyed doing. To gather the proof needed to take action, you should:
- Checking your loved one’s medical records. Review them and look for anything that suggests neglect, such as the use of restraints, unnecessary medications, or treatment for bedsores.
- Taking pictures that prove unsafe living conditions, such as soiled bedding, bedsores, and injuries.
- Check your local ombudsman to see if any complaints have been filed against the nursing home in the past.
- Speaking to other residents and their families, who may have noticed something during a visit.
Proving nursing home negligence can involve significant legal obstacles. You may need to obtain government records or file a motion compelling the nursing home to provide resident information. A Louisville personal injury attorney with experience in nursing home abuse cases can help you address these challenges and get your loved ones the justice they deserve. The Schafer Law Office gives a free consultation so that you can get an answer to your questions without worrying about how to pay for an attorney. Call us today at (502) 584-9511