Seattle, Washington Area Nursing Home Negligence Lawyers

The decision to place a loved one into the care of a nursing home is fraught with emotion. Family members often feel an intense sense of guilt when they can no longer care for their loved ones unaided, and they experience fear of loss when the physical condition of their elderly family members deteriorates. The decision to seek long-term care is further complicated by the knowledge of the prevalence of nursing home abuse. Our lawyers in Washington State are aware that with the rapid increase of senior citizens in our population, the rate of nursing home abuse rises. It is our sincere desire that education of the public on the realities of nursing home negligence will help decrease the pervasiveness of this tragic form of abuse. If you or someone you love is currently dependent on nursing home care, please use the following page as a resource to educate yourself on the ways to prevent and stop nursing home abuse. If you suspect abuse, contact Phillips & Webster immediately to speak with one of the Seattle, Washington area nursing home negligence attorneys at our firm.

• Rights of Nursing Home Patients
• Signs of Nursing Home Negligence
• Protecting Loved Ones from Nursing Home Abuse

Rights of Nursing Home Patients

Nursing homes and other long-term care facilities receive funding from the federal government, and must comply with federal laws and regulation regarding the standard of care they administer. In the 1980s, nursing home care in the United States fell under criticism, as alarming reports of nursing home abuse became more and more common. In 1987, the Nursing Home Reform Act was passed, creating more stringent and comprehensive regulations for the care of nursing home residents.

The Seattle, Washington area nursing home negligence lawyers at Phillips & Webster know that the legalities of nursing home care may be confusing to residents and their families. We believe that the best way to protect your loved one who is in the care of a nursing home is to be fully informed of his or her rights. The following rights are afforded to all residents of nursing homes and long-term care facilities:

• All nursing home residents are afforded the right to be fully informed of the services, charges, rules, and regulations of their nursing home facility. Residents are also legally required to be kept informed of the existence and availability of advocacy groups, and they have the right to daily verbal communication and assistance for sensory impairments (such as blindness) from their caregivers.
• Residents have the right to participate in their own care. This includes the right to plan their care, to be informed of any changes in their course of treatment, to have full access to their medical records, and the right to refuse care.
• Residents have the right to make independent decisions regarding their own wardrobe, diet, counseling, exercise, and the selection of a physician. Nursing homes must also reasonably accommodate the decisions of residents.
• Nursing home residents have the right to confidentiality regarding all of their affairs, including visitation and medical care, as well as the right to privacy.
• All residents have the right to freedom, dignity, and respect.
• Residents have the right to the security of their possessions, both financial and material.
• Nursing home residents are afforded the right to safe transfers between facilities, and the right to a 30-day notice before any transfer or discharge.
• Residents have the right to complain without fear of reprisal, and nursing homes are required to reasonably attempt to remedy all grievances.
• All nursing home residents have the right to receive visits, whether they are personal, social, medical, or legal in nature.

If you feel that you or your loved one who is a resident of a nursing home is being denied any of these rights, contact our nursing home abuse lawyers in Washington State to have your case reviewed free of charge.

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Signs of Nursing Home Negligence

Victims of nursing home abuse are frequently too weak or frightened to report their abuse to family members or nursing home authorities. It is the responsibility of friends and family members to closely monitor the care of their loved ones, and to be alert to any signs of abuse. Our nursing home abuse lawyers, serving Seattle and all of Washington State, have compiled the following list of signs of nursing home negligence as a resource. If you suspect that a nursing home resident you love is being subjected to abuse of any kind, we urge you to contact our attorneys immediately. Some signs of nursing home abuse may include:

• Bed sores
• Weight loss
• Bruises
• Broken or fractured bones
• Burns
• Open wounds
• Poor skin condition
• Dehydration
• Hunger
• Broken eyeglasses
• Internal injuries
• Overdose
• Under-medication
• Evidence of restraint
• Poor hygiene
• Sudden behavioral changes, including agitation, anger, dissonance, confusion, or depression
• Limited visitation rights or lack of unsupervised visits

In addition to physical and emotional abuse, it is also common for residents of negligent nursing homes to suffer financial abuse. If you see or suspect any of these signs of financial abuse regarding a loved one in a nursing home facility, contact local authorities immediately, then seek the representation of the nursing home abuse lawyers Phillips & Webster:

• Unauthorized withdrawals, especially ATM withdrawals
• Alterations in banking routine
• Missing funds or belongings
• Unpaid bills
• Addition of names on bank signature authorization papers

If you suspect that someone you love who is a resident of a nursing home is being abused in any way, please contact the firm of Phillips & Webster. Our Seattle, Washington nursing home negligence and abuse lawyers represent all of Washington State. We can help you seek justice and protect the health and dignity of your loved one.

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Protecting Loved Ones from Nursing Home Abuse

There are a number of ways you can protect your loved one from the terrifying realities of nursing home abuse. It is vitally important for friends and family members to remain active participants in the lives of nursing home residents, not only for the obvious reasons of providing companionship and monitoring their health. Visit the facility on a regular basis, and make it a point to get to know staff members, especially those who are in regular contact with your loved one. It is also a good idea to visit at varying times of day, to get to know the routines and staff members that correspond to each shift, and to keep all staff aware of your presence. Make sure you are involved with all aspects of the planning and management of your loved one's care. You should also be aware you have the right to request medical records documenting care or treatment your loved one receives at the facility. Finally, if you suspect at any time that your loved one has become the victim of abuse, contact one of our nursing home abuse lawyers immediately. Washington State does not take such abuse lightly, and we can punish abusers to the fullest extent of the law.

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Contact Leading Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers in Washington State

Nursing home abuse is far too common in the United States, with people preying on our elderly loved ones every day. By reporting elderly abuse and taking legal action against transgressors, our Seattle, Washington nursing home negligence attorneys hope to contribute to the eradication of this type of medical malpractice. If you have even the slightest suspicion that someone you love has been subjected to nursing home abuse, contact our lawyers in Washington State today.

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