First Steps to Take After a Loved One Suffers a Nursing Home Injury
You recently learned that your loved one was injured at the same home you entrusted with their safety and wellbeing. Now what? In addition to ensuring they receive the medical care they need; you may have a long list of tasks to complete. Do you need to move them out of the nursing home for safety purposes? How do you find another nursing home that you trust? What do you do with your loved one in the meantime if you decide to move them out?
Navigating a nursing home injury can be difficult and overwhelming. Here are a few steps to take following a nursing home injury:
Evaluate the Situation
Every nursing home injury doesn’t always indicate abuse or neglect. It may simply be an accident in which your loved one slipped or fell, leading to their injury. It’s important to consider the details and evaluate the likeness of wrongdoing.
Gather Information
Once you’re sure that your loved one is safe and secure, it’s time to begin collecting information so you can learn more about what happened. Talk to your loved one’s caregivers and medical providers. Review their patient records to decide what happened.
Document the Process
Regardless of what happened, it’s always a good idea to document everything. Even if it was just an accident, documentation can help your loved one receive the medical care they need.
Take Action
If you believe that your loved one’s injury is due to an accident, your primary action will be to get them medical care. However, if you are suspicious about what happened, you may report the accident or talk with a personal injury lawyer.
How to Take Action Against Nursing Home Abuse
If your loved one’s injury was caused by nursing home abuse or neglect, you’ll want to take action. This includes notifying the nursing home administrators so they can open an official report. It also means reporting the injury and potential abuse to the New Jersey Department of Health. You can file a report by phone or online.
If you think that your loved one’s immediate safety may be at risk, you can also always call the police. In the meantime, you may consider moving your loved one out of the dangerous environment.
When to Talk With a Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer
If your loved one is injured due to nursing home abuse or neglect, it may be worth your time to talk with a nursing home abuse lawyer. While the police and state will handle the initial report and charges, a lawyer may be able to help you recover any necessary funds.
There are many costs involved with moving your loved one out of their current residence. You may also have to take time off work to care for them in the meantime. Depending on the nature of the injury, it’s also possible that your loved one experienced pain and suffering. A nursing home abuse lawyer can also help you with collecting important information and building your case against the nursing home.
Contact a Clifton Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer to Discuss Your Case Today
Seniors in nursing homes and other care facilities deserve to be treated with respect and dignity. Additionally, nursing home staff needs to ensure that patients are safe and secure at all times. If your loved one suffered an injury, or worse, due to nursing home negligence or abuse in New Jersey, you need to speak with a qualified attorney. The experienced nursing home neglect attorneys at Sugarman Law Firm represent clients throughout New Jersey, including Clifton, Trenton, Camden, and Elizabeth. Call (732) 877-1975 or fill out the online contact form to schedule a free consultation today. We have an office conveniently located at 80 East Main Street, Somerville, NJ 08876, as well as an office in Marlton, NJ.
The articles on this blog are for informative purposes only and are no substitute for legal advice or an attorney-client relationship. If you are seeking legal advice, please contact our law firm directly.
