St. Cloud, MN Nursing Home Abuse

Moving your loved one into a Minnesota nursing home is often an emotionally challenging process. Simply by the inherent nature of the relationship, you are forced to put a great deal of trust into the hands of the staff and management of the assisted facility. Unfortunately, in far too many cases, licensed nursing homes break that trust.

According to data from the Minnesota Adult Abuse Reporting Center (MAARC), there were more than 22,000 cases of suspected abuse or neglect reported at licensed facilities in Minnesota in the 2016 fiscal year alone. Worse yet, many studies have shown that nursing home abuse is significantly underreported. There may be far more victims than our state’s authorities even realize.

At Kosieradzki • Smith Law Firm, our dedicated St. Cloud, MN nursing home abuse attorneys are strong advocates for the most vulnerable adults. We fight aggressively to hold negligent nursing homes accountable for their misconduct, so that our clients can access the full financial compensation they rightfully deserve. If you believe that your loved one was a victim of nursing home abuse or neglect in St. Cloud, MN, please contact our law firm today for free legal guidance.

What is Nursing Home Abuse?

Nursing home abuse is the mistreatment, either intentionally or by neglect, of a vulnerable person inside of a licensed assisted living facility. Nursing home abuse is a very serious problem: it can lead to devastating physical injuries and terrible psychological damage. Tragically, in the very worst cases, nursing home abuse or nursing home neglect can be so severe that it can result in the death of an innocent victim. Nursing home abuse comes in many different forms. Some of the most common examples include:

• Intentional physical abuse;
• Intense psychological abuse;
• Caregiver neglect;
• Sexual abuse; and
• Financial exploitation.

Know the Signs of Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect

If your vulnerable loved one is in the care of an assisted living facility in St. Cloud, Minnesota, it is crucial that your remain proactive. Everyone should keep a close eye on how vulnerable adults are being treated in their facility. You need to watch for any potential signs of abuse, neglect, or general mistreatment. Even if you notice a minor problem, you should still follow up on the issue. The key to stopping nursing home abuse is open communication, careful attention to detail, and quick investigation. Some of the most common signs of nursing home abuse and neglect include:

• Open wounds or sores;
• Unexplained bruising;
• Random injuries;
• Soiled clothing or bed sheets;
• Indications of poor hygiene;
• Sudden weight loss;
• Dehydration;
• Odd behavioral changes, including fearfulness or withdrawal;
• Unusual financial transactions on the resident’s bank accounts;
• Problems with staff members;
• General disorganization at the nursing home;
• Direct complaints by the resident; and
• Any other signs that make you feel concerned.

How to Report Nursing Home Abuse in St. Cloud, Minnesota

If you believe that your loved one has been mistreated in a St. Cloud, MN assisted living facility, you need to know how to report nursing home abuse. In our state, all cases of nursing home abuse or nursing home neglect should be reported to the Minnesota Adult Abuse Reporting Center (MAARC).

You have two options to make your report:

• Call the agency at 844-880-1574; or
• Use their internet reporting tool.

Beyond officially reporting the issue, you should always be ready to take whatever action is necessary to protect the health and safety of your loved one. In an emergency, you should always call 911. Immediate medical attention may be required. When the situation has stabilized, the best thing you can do is to reach out to an experienced nursing home abuse lawyer in St. Cloud, MN. Your lawyer will help you take whatever action is best to protect your loved one and get them justice.

We Protect the Rights of Nursing Home Residents

Our St. Cloud, MN nursing home abuse lawyers are committed to protecting the legal rights of residents of assisted living facilities in Central Minnesota. We have a deep understanding of the most important regulations that govern the operation of nursing homes, including the 1987 Nursing Home Reform Act and the Minnesota Health Care Bill of Rights. If a facility violates these laws, they may be liable for any resulting injuries or illnesses.

The bottom line: every nursing home resident deserves high-quality care. There are no exceptions. If your loved one’s legal rights were violated in any way, and they suffered harm as a result, you should consult with our law firm today.

Compensation Available to Nursing Home Abuse Victims

In Minnesota, nursing home abuse victims can hold the negligent facility legally liable for the full value of their damages. Unfortunately, in practice, getting a full recovery is often deeply challenging. Nursing homes and their insurers are known to fight legal claims aggressively. If you or your family member was the victim of nursing home abuse or nursing home neglect in Stearns County, it is imperative that you consult with a qualified legal advocate. At Kosieradzki • Smith Law Firm, our St. Cloud nursing home abuse lawyers help victims get compensation for:

• Costs to relocate;
• All other related economic losses;
• Full medical expenses;
• Rehabilitative care;
• Pain and suffering;
• Mental anguish;
• Disability compensation;
• Reduced quality of life;
• Wrongful death; and
• Punitive damages.

Contact Our St. Cloud Nursing Home Abuse Attorneys Today

At Kosieradzki • Smith Law Firm, we fight aggressively to ensure that elderly patients and vulnerable adults get the proper care and treatment that they deserve inside Minnesota nursing homes. If your loved one was a victim of nursing home abuse or nursing home neglect, our legal team is standing by, ready to hold the negligent assisted living facility liable for their poor conduct.

To set up a free, no obligation review of your nursing home abuse claim, please do not hesitate to contact us today at (763) 260-8637. Our Minnesota nursing home abuse attorneys are proud to serve nursing home residents and their family members in St. Cloud and in communities throughout Stearns County.