Northwest AR Nursing Home Abuse Attorneys

Recent weight loss can indicate malnutrition, untreated medical conditions, or emotional issues.

Family members may need to monitor their loved one’s finances and personal belongings for signs of theft.

Any unexplained injury, including bruises, cuts, bedsores, and complaints of pain, may warrant an investigation into the facility’s care.

Mental confusion can be caused by urinary tract infections (UTIs), dehydration, medication interactions, and sedatives.

If the facility makes excuses or the staff becomes defensive when you try to visit, this can be a major red flag.

There are several ways to report abuse and neglect depending on the facts of the situation.

1. Report your concerns to the facility’s administrator in writing.
2. Contact your Area Agency on Aging to reach the long-term care ombudsman that serves your county. These impartial advocates communicate with your family and the facility to investigate and correct potential issues.
3. File a complaint with the Office of Long Term Care by calling 800-582-4887 or emailing complaints.OLTC@arkansas.gov.
4. Speak with a nursing home abuse lawyer to understand your rights and ensure that the allegations are properly investigated.
5. If your loved one is in danger, call 911 for immediate assistance.
6. For seniors living at home, abuse, neglect, or exploitation should be reported to the Adult Maltreatment Hotline at 800-482-8049.

First and foremost, visit your loved one often and at different times. Keep an eye on their finances and belongings. Document any potential warning signs by taking photos and notes. Speak to your loved one or take them to the doctor if you notice any changes in health or behavior.

Moving your loved one to a safer location is a potential solution, but it’s important to make sure that new arrangements are in place first to ensure a smooth and safe transition. When vetting a new facility, check its state license for past violations and look at the staff-to-resident ratio. Confirm that the new facility can provide all necessary services, such as medication management or physical therapy. Try to speak to other residents and their families to get an honest assessment of the care provided.

Yes, in most cases, you can file a civil lawsuit for abuse occurring in a nursing home or residential setting. However, more long-term care providers are requiring residents to sign arbitration agreements that require disputes to be settled out of the court system. Common grounds for taking legal action include negligent hiring or training, understaffing, inadequate/improper medical care, breaches of the Resident Bill of Rights, and intentional torts, such as assault and battery.

Our attorneys can help you seek compensation for financial and emotional losses related to the abuse. Compensation may cover medical expenses, pain and suffering, relocation costs, and more. Surviving family members may be able to file a wrongful death lawsuit in case of fatal injuries. Contact our nursing home abuse attorneys today to see what compensation may be available.