Staff negligence and misconduct result in hundreds of thousands of injuries and deaths in nursing homes across America each year. Each day, many members of our elderly community are abused in nursing homes. Rather than receiving care, the people we cherish are being abused and or neglected in these facilities. Some factors that contribute to abuse are inadequately trained staff, staff with a history of abuse and an inadequate number of personnel. Abuse can be defined as:
- Physical abuse
- Sexual abuse
- Neglect
- Psychological and emotional abuse
Signs of Abuse
As victims may be unable to speak out or afraid to speak out, it is crucial to look for warning signs of abuse.
- Physical injuries such as bed sores, internal bleeding, medication overdose, head injury, bruises, broken bones, pressure ulcers, and malnutrition.
- Signs of neglect include malnourishment, poor hygiene, dehydration, soiled bedding, unattended medical needs and hazardous or unsanitary living conditions.
- Emotional or behavioral changes such as withdrawal, agitation, fear or anxiety, frequent sobbing, strained relationship with nursing home staff or complaints of improper treatment.
John K. Zaid & Associates, PLLC is your best weapon to bring those responsible for nursing home abuse and neglect to account and to ensure deserved compensation should a nursing home abuse lawsuit be necessary. In 2007, federal inspectors received 37,150 complaints about nursing home conditions.
Thirty-nine percent were substantiated, with about one-fifth of those involving abuse and neglect. In 2008, federal investigators found that 94% of the nation's nursing homes were in violation of federal health and safety standards. Though nursing homes are inspected annually to ensure compliance with federal standards, such inspections often fail to expose cases of abuse and neglect.
Nursing homes owe a duty of care to residents. When the facility fails to meet that duty, they are liable for damages that the resident has sustained. If you suspect that a loved one is being harmed, abused, or mistreated as a result of nursing home abuse or nursing home negligence, retain the professional services of John K. Zaid & Associates, PLLC who can confront those responsible in a court of law with a nursing home negligence lawsuit.
You may call us 24 hours a day, seven days a week to let us know how we can help you: 281-333-8959. Reach us through our Web site by completing the brief contact a lawyer form.
With two offices in Houston, Texas, John K. Zaid & Associates, PLLC, of Houston, Texas, represents clients who have been injured and/or killed in nursing homes in Houston, Clear Lake, League City, Pasadena, Baytown, Beaumont, Galveston, Texas City, Alvin, Friendswood, Pearland, Webster, Dickinson, Angleton, Deer Park, La Porte, Channelview, La Marque, South Houston, Spring, Katy, Conroe, Sugar Land, Richmond and Rosenberg.
John K. Zaid & Associates, PLLC handles cases in counties throughout Texas, including: Harris County, Galveston County, Brazoria County, Liberty County, Chambers County, Montgomery County, Fort Bend County and Jefferson County.
