Nursing Home Neglect

• Physical abuse
• Verbal assault
• Psychological/mental abuse
• Assault or battery
• Sexual abuse
• Pressure sores
• Falls involving fractures, especially hip fractures
• Failure to properly clean the patient’s dressing or bed clothes
• Dehydration
• Malnutrition
• Understaffing
• Failure to provide patient with proper diet and nutrition
• Failure to follow doctor's orders
• Medication errors
• Improper use of medication
• Unnecessary physical restraint
• Treat resident in a way that lowers his/her self esteem, self worth, or dignity
• Failure to develop and maintain and comprehensive care plan for the resident
• Failure to provide adequate supervision or assistance to the resident
• Financial exploitation and/or abuse
• Unqualified, incompetent, or poorly trained staff
• Failure to notify physician and family of significant changes in condition

• Signs of malnutrition or dehydration
• The staff denies or delays family members and friends from visiting the resident
• The staff denies visitors “alone time” with the resident
• Unexplained bruises, cuts, bumps, fractures, sprains, burns, broken bones, etc.
• Unexplained accidents, injuries, falls
• Pressure sores
• Infections
• Soiled clothing or bedding
• The resident is over medicated
• The resident suddenly has a change in behavior
• The resident suddenly changes his/her will, trust, life insurance policy, or other financial documents
• Unexplained change in banking habits
• Unexplained money withdrawals or transfers from bank accounts
• Loss of the resident’s possessions

At Pitman, Kyle & Sicula, we understand that dealing with nursing home neglect & abuse can seem overwhelming. However, if you or someone you love has been abused or neglected in a nursing home, there are several steps you can take to improve the situation. Most importantly, all nursing home residents have legal rights under both federal and state law. These rights include:

• The right to a care plan that meets all of the resident’s needs
• Nursing homes cannot discriminate against a resident for any reason, such as race, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability, etc.
• The right to be treated with dignity and respect. Depending on the resident’s care plan, he/she has the right to make their own decision regarding meals, bedtime, activities, etc. The resident also has the right to be in an environment that enhances his/her quality of life.
• The right to be free of verbal, sexual, physical, and mental abuse and involuntary seclusion.
• The right to be free from physical restraints of any kind, such as a mechanical device, materials, or equipment that attaches to the body in order to prevent the resident from moving. The use of a chemical to restrain a resident is also against the law.
• Couples have to right to live together
• The right to be informed of all fees and services.
• The right to manage money, and access any accounts, cash, or other financial documents. The residents also have the right to choose someone to manage their finances if they wish.
• The right to privacy, property, and living arrangements
• The right to competent medical care, and the right to make decisions regarding medical care.
• The right to see and spend time with visitors at any reasonable time.
• The right to social services
• The right to leave the nursing home, as long as it is acceptable under the health insurance plan
• The right to make complaints against the staff, facilities, other residents, etc. without fear of repercussion.
• Protection against unreasonable or unfair transfer or discharge from the nursing home

Contact our Wisconsin Nursing Home Neglect & Abuse Lawyers