Moving someone you love into a nursing home is a big decision. In many cases, families reach that point because a parent, grandparent, or spouse needs more help than they can safely receive at home. You expect the nursing home to provide that help. If that trust is broken, a nursing home abuse lawyer in Maple Grove may be able to help.
At Postman Law, we believe that your loved one deserves justice. We have helped families like yours recover over $3 billion in damages owed to them. As your dedicated personal injury lawyer in Maple Grove, it is our mission to get you and your family the justice you deserve.
Changes in Your Loved One’s Condition Can Be Signs of Neglect
Nursing home neglect is not always obvious when it starts. A family may notice several smaller problems before realizing there could be a larger issue with the care their loved one is receiving. Some warning signs include:
- Bedsores or worsening skin injuries
- Dehydration or significant weight loss
- Frequent falls or unexplained bruising
- Poor hygiene or dirty clothing and bedding
- Infections that are not being properly treated
- Missed or incorrect medication
Not every health problem in an older person is caused by neglect. Residents often have complicated medical conditions before entering a facility. The concern is whether staff responded appropriately to those conditions and provided the care the resident was supposed to receive. If any of these signs sound familiar, contact our team at Postman Law to see if you may have a case.
For a free legal consultation with a nursing home abuse lawyer serving Maple Grove, call 844-767-8626
Keep Track of What You See and What Staff Tell You
Families often notice things that do not make it into the nursing home’s records. You may remember that your mother’s bedding was dirty during three visits in a row or that your father’s bruises appeared shortly after he became afraid of a particular employee. Write those observations down while they are still fresh. It can also help to save:
- Photos of injuries or poor living conditions
- Dates of falls, injuries, or other incidents
- Names of employees you spoke with
- Notes about the explanations you were given
- Medical or care records already in your possession
- Financial records if money or property is missing
Do what you reasonably can, but don’t make evidence collection your first priority during an emergency. If your loved one needs medical attention or is in immediate danger, deal with their safety first. Once they are safe, contact a Maple Grove nursing home abuse lawyer to help.
Maple Grove Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer Near Me 844-767-8626
The Facility’s Own Records Can Help Explain What Happened
A nursing home’s records often provide a much clearer picture than one conversation with a staff member. Residents are assessed when they enter a facility and as their needs change. Their care plans should reflect things such as fall risks, mobility limitations, dietary needs, medications, and skin concerns.
Other records show what happened from shift to shift. Medication logs can show whether doses were given. Fall reports can document previous accidents, while nursing and wound notes can show when a physical problem was first noticed and what staff did about it.
Those records do not always tell the entire story. A lawyer may compare them with hospital records, photographs, witness accounts, and other evidence. Medical professionals can also review the care and explain whether an injury aligns with the resident’s health conditions or indicates a failure in care.
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Families May Be Able to Recover Compensation for Harm Caused by Abuse or Neglect
A nursing home injury can lead to expenses the resident would never have faced with proper care. Someone who develops an infected bedsore may need hospitalization and extensive wound treatment. A resident injured in a preventable fall may need surgery followed by rehabilitation. A claim may seek compensation for losses such as:
- Additional medical care
- Rehabilitation and therapy
- Pain and physical suffering
- Emotional harm
- Disability or loss of independence
- Costs associated with moving to another facility
Some nursing home cases involve the loss of a resident’s life. When abuse or neglect contributes to a death, the family may have separate legal rights. An attorney can explain what claims are available based on what occurred.
A Maple Grove Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer Can Get Answers From the Facility
Families are at a disadvantage when they try to investigate a nursing home on their own. The facility has the charts, employee records, internal reports, schedules, and other information that could explain what happened. Families generally only see a small part of that information. A nursing home abuse lawyer can assist with the following:
- Obtain medical records and facility documents
- Look into staffing and supervision problems
- Speak with witnesses and review relevant complaints
- Bring in medical experts when needed
- Determine who should be held responsible
- Negotiate a claim or take the case to court
You do not need to walk into a lawyer’s office with proof that someone abused or neglected your loved one. That is what the investigation is for. Unexplained injuries, recurring problems, conflicting employee accounts, or a decline that does not make sense can be enough reason to start asking questions.
You Can Ask for Help Before You Know Exactly What Went Wrong
Families sometimes hesitate to contact a lawyer because they are not sure abuse actually occurred. You might have a bad feeling about the care your loved one is receiving but no way to prove it. Minnesota allows six years from the occurrence of the abuse to file a claim (Minn. Stat. § 541.05), but the sooner you file, the better your odds of a successful outcome.
You do not have to diagnose the problem yourself. If your loved one’s injuries are not being explained, their health has changed unexpectedly, or the same problems keep happening, those concerns are worth looking into.
A Maple Grove nursing home abuse attorney can review what you know and investigate information you cannot access yourself. If the evidence shows that abuse or neglect caused harm, your attorney can then take steps to hold the responsible parties accountable.
Speak With a Nursing Home Abuse Attorney in Maple Grove
Navigating the legal process should be the least of your concerns when helping a loved one who is experiencing abuse. Let our Maple Grove nursing home abuse attorneys at Postman Law take on the legal tasks so you can focus on your loved ones and help them recover.
Contact us today to schedule your free, no-obligation consultation and see how we deliver case results that help you and your family.