Bloomington, MN Nursing Home Abuse

Nursing home abuse and neglect remain very serious problems all across the United States. Here in our state, the Minnesota Adult Abuse Reporting Center (MAARC) reports that state authorities receive more than 20,000 complaints each year alleging abuse or neglect of a vulnerable person at licensed medical facilities and nursing homes.

The true extent of the problem is most likely far greater than the official numbers indicate. According to a recent study conducted by the Cornell Medical Center, the majority of nursing home abuse and nursing home neglect cases are never reported at all. This is a great tragedy: vulnerable adults need the best possible care.  

At Kosieradzki • Smith Law Firm, our compassionate Bloomington nursing home abuse lawyers are proud to advocate for the rights and interests of vulnerable adults in Hennepin County, MN. If your elderly parent or vulnerable loved one was injured or killed in a nursing home, we will help you get justice. Our law firm fights aggressively to hold bad acting assisted living facilities liable for their mistreatment of residents.

What is Nursing Home Abuse and Why Does it Happen?

Nursing home abuse is the mistreatment of a vulnerable adult that occurs as a result of the actions or inactions of the staff and management of an assisted living facility. This type of abuse can come in a wide range of different forms. Some examples include:

• Staff members causing physical injuries;
• Staff members abusing residents;
• Sustained caregiver neglect;
• Sexual abuse by staff or other residents; and
• Financial exploitation.

In all cases, nursing home abuse should never be allowed to occur. The facility has a legal obligation to hire a sufficient number of qualified staff members who have been thoroughly vetted, so that they can be relied on to provide high-quality care and to protect the health and well being of the residents. When nursing homes fail to live up to their legal obligations, abuse and neglect can occur. This can lead to serious harm to the residents, and, in the worst cases, the death of an innocent person.

The Most Common Signs of Nursing Home Abuse

All families in Minnesota should watch for the common signs of nursing home abuse or nursing home neglect. If you are visiting your loved one in an assisted living center, you should always keep a close watch at how the facility is operating. Any problems that you see must be followed up on. In addition, if your loved one complains about something to you, take their issues seriously. While not every complaint will be about a serious issue, there are many cases in which there are deep problems hiding directly under the surface. It is always a best practice to carefully investigate any signs that suggest that something might be wrong at the facility. Common signs of nursing home abuse include:

• Unexplained injuries;
• Poorly treated medical issues, including open wounds;
• Dirty clothing;
• Soiled bedding;
• General unsanitary conditions;
• Signs of bad hygiene;
• Poor nutrition;
• Dehydration;
• Odd changes in behavior;
• Problems with specific staff members;
• Lack of staff at the facility;
• Trouble getting answers or help from staff;
• Complaints from the nursing home residents; and
• All other issues that give you a ‘bad’ feeling.

Nursing Home Residents Have Valuable Legal Rights

If you are a nursing home resident, or your vulnerable loved one is a nursing home resident, you should have a basic understanding of the state and federal regulations that govern these facilities. There are very important laws that protect nursing home patients. Specifically, the 1987 Nursing Home Reform Act (federal law) and Minnesota’s Health Care Bill of Rights (state law) both provide critically important legal protections. If your loved one’s rights have been violated in any manner, you should consult with an experienced Blooming nursing home abuse lawyer who can conduct a full investigation and help you explore all of the available legal options.  

How to Report Nursing Home Abuse in Bloomington, Minnesota

The state of Minnesota offers a standardized process for reporting nursing home abuse. To bring the problem to the attention of the appropriate state authorities, you should report any suspected abuse or neglect to the Minnesota Adult Abuse Reporting Center (MAARC). This can be done 24/7/365. Reports can be filed over the phone by calling  844-880-1574, or through the internet using the official nursing home abuse reporting tool.

While MAARC undoubtedly plays a much needed role in protecting the well being of vulnerable adults in Minnesota, the bureaucracy can move slowly. You may need to take additional action to protect your family member. If there is a medical emergency, you should always seek immediate help by dialing 911. When it comes times to take legal action, you will need a professional advocate by your side. In this case, don’t hesitate to get in touch with a top-rated Bloomington nursing home abuse lawyer.

Victims Deserve Full Financial Compensation

Victims of nursing home abuse and neglect must be able to access compensation for the full value of their damages. Negligent assisted care centers must be held accountable. Unfortunately, nursing homes and their insurers fight legal claims aggressively. Getting a full financial settlement in a nursing home abuse case can be extremely difficult. Victims and their families should seek professional guidance. At Kosieradzki • Smith Law Firm, our nursing home abuse attorneys in Bloomington, MN have the legal skills and relevant experience required to help our clients get better treatment for their loved ones and to maximize the total compensation. Damages may be available for:

• Any out-of-pocket costs;
• Medical bills;
• Rehabilitative treatment;
• Pain and suffering;
• Mental distress;
• Long-term disability;
• Reduction in quality of life; and
• Wrongful death compensation.

Contact Our Bloomington Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers Today

At Kosieradzki • Smith Law Firm, our dedicated Bloomington nursing home abuse & neglect lawyers are strong advocates for victims. If you or a loved one was mistreated in an assisted living center in Bloomington or any other community in Hennepin County, we are here to help. To schedule a free, fully private initial consultation, please contact our law firm today at (763) 260-8637 or contact us throughout our website.