Elder Abuse Lawyer NJ 

If you suspect or have proof of elder abuse or neglect in a long-term or skilled care facility, help is available. If you have questions or concerns about nursing home abuse and what action you should take to put an end to this horrible mistreatment of someone you love, make sure to seek immediate help from an attorney who concentrates their practice on nursing home abuse and negligence. 

The lawyers at Davis & Bruca, LLC are proud to be one of only a small handful of attorneys in New Jersey who truly concentrate in this important practice area.  And, outlined below, our highly-silled New Jersey elder abuse lawyers have offered answers to some of the most commonly asked questions:

How do nursing home staffers take advantage of the elderly?

The elderly citizens who reside in nursing homes are frequently in a fragile state – whether mentally, physically or both.  After all, if they were able to fully care for themselves, they would not be in a skilled nursing facility.  These people are dependent, often highly or completely dependent, on the help of nursing home staff for many of their needs and daily tasks.  Everything from getting out of bed, grooming, toileting, getting dressed, eating, incontinence care, and much more. Vulnerable people are “easy prey” to those with evil intent, as they are unlikely to be able to fight back or otherwise report abuse.

Because of this imbalance in power, aging nursing home residents may find themselves at the mercy of nursing home staffers.  Fortunately, most folks working in nursing homes do not have evil motives at heart.  However, some do.  And in these troubling and appalling circumstances, nursing home personnel may take advantage of the fragility and vulnerability of the residents under their care to abuse them -physically, sexually, emotionally, or financially.

If you see an instance of abuse or are suspicious of foul play in an elderly loved one’s skilled care facility, you are well-advised to take action immediately. Call a NJ elder abuse lawyer, like Davis & Brusca, for help as soon as possible. 

What are the common signs or symptoms of nursing home abuse?

If you have a loved one in a nursing home or other elder care facility, you need to remain on high alert for signs of neglect or abuse.  Taking action promptly can literally make the difference between life and death.  Some of the common signs of potential abuse include:

• Recurring bruises
• Cuts, scrapes, or lacerations
• Fractures or broken bones
• Falls
• Bed sores
• Malnutrition
• Dehydration
• A lapse personal hygiene
• Dirty clothes and bedding
• Unusual or sudden change in personality or behavior
• Being unwilling to eat or interact with others
• Isolating oneself or emotional distancing
• Abnormal displays of fear or other odd behaviors around particular staffers

If you notice any of these signs, or any other suspicious or unusual behaviors, it is time to take action. 

What should I do if I suspect nursing home abuse?

If you suspect or observe nursing home abuse, you need to take immediate action.  If you have cause to suspect criminal abuse, you may report the issues to the police and other state or local authorities.  Bear in mind, you may be your loved one’s only voice.  And the health and well-being of elderly nursing home residents may already be tenuous.  If they do not receive adequate care, their very lives can be at risk. If the situation is intolerable, you may need to remove your loved one from the care of that facility, at least temporarily.  At least you will know he or she is no longer under threat. 

Once his or her safety is secured, report the facility to your state’s nursing home abuse hotline so they can investigate and assess the nursing home. Contacting a knowledgeable and experienced Elder Abuse Lawyer NJ families trust from Davis & Brusca, LLC  can also help protect the rights of your loved one. Taking legal action can also serve to help all of the elderly residents in that facility, as violations of care are usually not restricted to just one resident. As a top nursing home injury lawyer NJ clients trust, Davis & Brusca, LLC takes great pride in helping to protect our elders and will go to trial, when necessary, to fight for the care they need and deserve.