Arizona — particularly the Scottsdale area — is a haven for older adults who want to escape harsh winter weather and enjoy the sun. While the environment may be the perfect place for retirement, people who move into nursing homes in Scottsdale for their safety can fall into the hands of negligent long-term caregivers.
Unfortunately, nursing home abuse and neglect cases are not rare in Arizona. At Mushkatel, Gobbato & Kile, P.L.L.C., our experienced attorneys advocate for nursing home residents, older and vulnerable adults, and their families. We understand that nursing home negligence takes many forms, and we work with families and their loved ones to protect the rights of older adults.
We have extensive experience pursuing nursing home negligence cases and seeking meaningful compensation for victims of abuse and neglect. Our experience and dedication to solving our client’s legal issues are evident in everything we do and how people respond to our personalized service. If you suspect abuse, neglect, or negligence on the part of a nursing home, contact our Scottsdale office today for help.
Table of Contents
- What Are Different Types of Nursing Home Negligence?
- What Are Signs of Possible Negligence in a Nursing Home?
- What Should I Do If I Suspect Negligence at My Loved One’s Scottsdale Nursing Home?
- How Do You Prove a Scottsdale Nursing Home Has Been Negligent?
- What Legal Action Can You Take Against the Nursing Home?
- Does Arizona Have a Statute of Limitations for Filing a Nursing Home Negligence Lawsuit?
- Contact a Scottsdale Nursing Home Negligence Lawyer
What Are Different Types of Nursing Home Negligence?
Arizona’s aging population is one of the fastest-growing segments of the state. As older adults age, the need grows to accommodate their physical and mental health issues in nursing homes and long-term care facilities. During one recent year, Arizona Adult Protective Services received 64,655 communications, with 41,645 reports of alleged elder abuse, neglect, or exploitation.
Nursing home negligence presents a growing concern for communities like Scottsdale. Nursing home negligence refers to situations where a nursing home or long-term care facility fails to provide adequate care for its residents or provides substandard care. Abuse and neglect can fall into the realm of nursing home negligence. Still, most people don’t realize that several different types of nursing home abuse can impact vulnerable residents.
Types of Scottsdale nursing home abuse and negligence include the following:
- Physical abuse
- Sexual abuse
- Emotional abuse
- Financial abuse.
Neglect is also a form of abuse. It occurs when caregivers fail to provide essential services to a nursing home resident. Neglect can take the form of medical neglect, neglect of basic needs, or neglect of personal hygiene.
What Are Signs of Possible Negligence in a Nursing Home?
Fear of retaliation, the stigma of being a victim, or the inability to voice issues due to cognitive decline or other medical conditions can make it challenging for a nursing home resident to come forward with allegations of neglect or abuse. Sometimes, friends and family members must advocate for the people they love. However, detecting the subtle signs of abuse and neglect can be challenging.
How can you tell if a loved one is experiencing abuse or neglect due to the negligence of a nursing home or long-term care facility? Watch for these possible signs:
- Unexplained marks, bruises, cuts, or burns
- Multiple falls or unexplained falls
- Frequent illnesses and infections
- Marks on the arms and legs that show signs of restraint
- Bedsores
- Untreated open wounds
- Sudden onset of a sexually transmitted infection
- Blood on bed sheets or in underwear
- Dehydration
- Malnutrition
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Suicidal thoughts or actions
- Changes in mood or behavior
- Changes in sleeping or eating patterns
- Sudden weight loss
- Withdrawing from family or friends
- Withdrawing from favorite activities
- Refusing to cooperate with specific caregivers
- Items of value missing from their room
- Sudden change in their financial situation
- Dirty clothing
- Dirty bed linens or unchanged bed linens
- Poor hygiene or unkempt appearance.
If you notice any of these signs or are worried about a change in your loved one’s attitude, mood, or behavior, talk to a compassionate nursing home negligence attorney at Mushkatel, Gobbato & Kile, P.L.L.C., today.
What Should I Do If I Suspect Negligence at My Loved One’s Scottsdale Nursing Home?
If you suspect nursing home negligence is harming the health or safety of your loved one, you must act as soon as possible. Contact an experienced Scottsdale nursing home abuse lawyer and take the following steps:
- Review the signs of abuse and neglect and document your concerns.
- Document everything and keep detailed logs of staff interactions with your family members, including dates, times, and staff names.
- Take photographs of unusual injuries or marks.
For additional help and resources, you can contact an Arizona Long-Term Care Ombudsman. A LTCO can advocate for older adults, provide family members with helping tools and resources, and intervene for long-term care residents when needed. You can also contact the Arizona Adult Protective Services office to report allegations of abuse and neglect.
How Do You Prove a Scottsdale Nursing Home Has Been Negligent?
You must offer compelling evidence to prove a nursing home is negligent and has failed to address a resident’s needs. To build a successful case, you must gather evidence demonstrating that negligence on the part of the nursing home, staff, or caregivers directly caused harm to a nursing home resident.
Collecting and preserving the evidence it takes to prove a nursing home was negligent can be challenging for families. Working with a knowledgeable nursing home abuse attorney is the best way to get your family members the help they need and build a solid compensation claim.
What Legal Action Can You Take Against the Nursing Home?
Suppose you or a family member experiences abuse or neglect at the hands of a negligent facility or caregiver. In that case, you may file a personal injury lawsuit against the facility seeking compensation for your injuries. If a family member lost their life due to nursing home negligence, you could potentially file a wrongful death lawsuit against the at-fault party. An attorney from Mushkatel, Gobbato & Kile, P.L.L.C., can review the specifics of your situation and explain your legal options for pursuing compensation.
Does Arizona Have a Statute of Limitations for Filing a Nursing Home Negligence Lawsuit?
In Arizona, nursing home abuse and nursing home wrongful death cases fall under the umbrella of personal injury cases. In most cases, the state gives people two years from the date of the incident to file a lawsuit pursuing compensation for their injuries.
Contact a Scottsdale Nursing Home Negligence Lawyer
With over 50 years of combined legal experience, the attorneys of Mushkatel, Gobbato & Kile, P.L.L.C., have the knowledge and resources to help Scottsdale families seek justice and fair compensation. If you suspect that nursing home abuse or neglect has occurred, contact us today for a consultation.
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