Delaware Nursing Home Injuries Lawyers Fighting for the Protection of the Vulnerable

We expect nursing homes and other institutional care facilities to provide a safe environment for the people who live there. Unfortunately, this trust can be broken if abuse or neglect occurs. If the abuse or neglect results from poor supervision, inadequate staffing or training, or a lack of commitment to the standard of care that an aged or disabled resident needs, your family may have a claim for damages based on negligence.

The personal injury attorneys at Hudson, Castle, & Inkell, LLC advise and represent clients in lawsuits for damages against nursing homes, assisted living centers, and other residential care facilities. If you are concerned about the welfare of an elderly or vulnerable loved one who might be suffering from abuse or neglect in a nursing home, we can help. Our attorneys have over 50 years of combined experience dealing with these types of claims and can provide you with comprehensive legal representation to help you achieve justice. Call us today at (302) 428-8800 for a confidential, free consultation.

What Kind of Abuse or Neglect May a Nursing Home Resident Experience?

Nursing home negligence may come in many forms. In every situation, negligence can cause elderly people to suffer needlessly. Examples of the injuries that can result from abuse or neglect at nursing homes, assisted living facilities, or skilled nursing facilities include the following:

• Malnutrition or dehydration
• Serious stage 3 or stage 4 pressure sores, bed sores, or other symptoms of prolonged bed rest
• Infections or illnesses caused by unsanitary living conditions or inadequate assistance with personal hygiene
• Physical harm or death caused by medication, such as failure to administer prescription drugs, improper dosing of medications, or failure to take drug interactions into account
• Falls and fractures resulting from unattended or unsupervised walks through hallways or the facility grounds
• Physical or sexual assault by employees or other residents
• Wandering off due to a lack of supervision

What Are Some Possible Warning Signs of Nursing Home Abuse?

Some assisted living facility and nursing home residents, especially those with Alzheimer’s or dementia, may have difficulty communicating about abuse to family members. Others may be afraid of retribution from nursing home staff members or have anxiety about speaking up. This makes it especially important for families and friends to be aware of the potential signs of elder abuse so they can protect their loved ones. Some signs of nursing home abuse may include:

• Unusual agitation or outbursts: You may notice your loved one becoming unusually upset, agitated, or noisy, especially when staff members are around.
• Unexplained injuries: Bruises, welts, cuts, abrasions, or broken bones may be signs of physical abuse. These are especially suspicious if the nursing home has no documentation of a cause and the family was not informed of the injury in a timely fashion.
• Withdrawal: If a family member suddenly refuses to cooperate with requests, becomes oddly quiet and withdrawn, or quits participating in activities they used to enjoy, it may be a warning sign of emotional abuse.
• Behavioral changes: If your loved one begins exhibiting unusual behaviors, such as biting, lashing out, refusing to be touched, and more, this may be their way of communicating that something is wrong.
• Changes in weight: Weight loss or gain, or signs of malnutrition, including easy bruising, dental problems, mouth sores, and difficulty healing, can indicate possible nursing home neglect.
• Frequent illnesses: Stress caused by abuse can decrease the effectiveness of the immune system and make it more difficult for an older person to heal.
• Symptoms of neglect: Your family member may exhibit bed sores, poor hygiene, dehydration, infections, and serious injuries. In the worst-case scenario, the neglect could lead to wrongful death.

If you notice any of these signs and suspect that your loved one may be suffering from abuse, you can contact a nursing home abuse lawyer for a free consultation to help you decide the best course of action to protect them.

What Compensation May Be Awarded to Victims of Nursing Home Abuse?

Nursing homes are supposed to care for our loved ones and keep them safe and healthy. It is difficult to assign a dollar amount to the betrayal and suffering caused when nursing home abuse occurs, but a skilled lawyer can help you get the compensation you deserve which holds the abusers accountable. Some of the types of compensation you and your family may be entitled to include:

• Medical expenses: If the abuse you experienced resulted in medical bills or if you require ongoing medical treatment, you could be recompensed for these expenditures.
• Mental anguish: Abusive behavior from a person you trusted can cause many kinds of mental health issues and trauma, and you deserve to be compensated for this suffering.
• Physical Injury/Pain and suffering: Typically, abuse involves physical pain, especially physical abuse. Whether this pain was short-term or chronic, you may be compensated for what you endured.
• Punitive damages: If the actions of the abuser(s) are deemed to be willful or malicious in nature, or if it was a continuing issue for the nursing home involved and they did nothing to stop it, punitive damages may be awarded to dissuade them from allowing this to happen again.
• Wrongful death damages: If abuse or neglect led to the untimely death of your loved one, you might be compensated for this.

Why Hire a Lawyer?

Our familiarity with the investigation and proof of claims against nursing homes in cases of neglect or mistreatment can help you hold accountable those responsible for your or a loved one’s injury. At Hudson, Castle, & Inkell, LLC, our injury attorneys will work to achieve justice for you and your family. If you or someone you know has been injured due to negligence or abuse while in the care of a Delaware nursing home, we can help you get the maximum compensation. We approach each case ethically, honorably, and skillfully. We begin every nursing home abuse case with a free consultation, continue with the convenience of flexible appointments, and finally, we charge you nothing unless we win or settle. Call Hudson, Castle, & Inkell, LLC for a no-obligation consultation at (302) 428-8800.