Memphis Nursing Home Negligence Lawyers

If your loved one is in a nursing home, you should be alert to potential signs of neglect or abuse. Some common indicators include bedsores, unexplained fractures or bruises, malnutrition, dehydration, and wandering. For example, bedsores develop in people who are not turned every two hours to avoid putting undue pressure on the legs, feet, and buttocks. When a resident loses excessive weight, has parched lips, or develops many urinary tract infections, these may be signs of malnutrition and neglect.

A nursing home that is improperly administered or staffed may be held liable if its failure to use reasonable care and comply with laws results in an injury to a resident. State and federal laws prohibit neglect or abuse of the elderly and disabled in nursing homes. In Tennessee, nursing home administrators must have at least one of three types of certification in order to take on an administrator role. Meanwhile, nursing home staff members must undergo criminal background checks if they provide direct patient care or have direct patient contact. This process includes fingerprinting and authorizing the nursing home to obtain information pertaining to criminal history.

Nursing home abuse consists of the infliction of injuries, mental anguish, or pain on a resident. All employees are required to report an incident or suspicion if they have reasonable cause to believe that another employee has abused a resident.

Residents have many legal rights under both state and federal laws. For example, all nursing home residents are entitled to receive nutrition meals, snacks, and hydration. Moreover, each nursing home must employ an organized nursing service for 24 hours a day. The service should be furnished or supervised by a registered nurse. A licensed registered or practice nurse needs to be on duty to care for residents at all times. Two nursing staff must also be on duty at all times. Furthermore, a physician and a dentist must be available. If the nursing staff or a physician deviates from the accepted standards and practices of the medical community in providing treatment to a resident, it may be appropriate to also bring a medical malpractice claim.