Nursing Home Abuse Attorneys in St. Louis, MO

Advocating for the Victims of Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect

Many Missouri residents entrust the care of their elderly family members to nursing homes, hoping to provide them with a pleasant and attentive home toward the end of their golden years. Unfortunately, the nursing home industry is a business, which means profit is sometimes prioritized over the well-being of residents. This has made nursing home abuse and neglect all too common.

If you or someone you love has been the victim of abuse or neglect while under the care of a nursing home, you may have the right to file suit against that nursing home. At DiPasquale Moore, we know the wounds left by elder abuse cannot be healed with money, but compensation can help put you in the right position to move forward. What’s more, a successful lawsuit can protect other families from falling prey to the same nursing home.

Lawyers Who Truly Care About Your Family

DiPasquale Moore is home to an award-winning team of St. Louis trial lawyers. We have been met with much acclaim in the duration of our practice, which amounts to more than 100 years combined. We are known for recovering six- and seven-figure verdicts and settlements for our clients across the nation. When you need help, we stand ready to fight for you.

Schedule your free consultation with a St. Louis nursing home abuse lawyer today! call (888) 743-1030 or reach us online here.

What is Nursing Home Abuse?

Nursing home abuse can take many forms, all of which can be difficult to spot when you do not know the warning signs. It is crucial to look out for any signs of abuse, as victims often stay silent due to a fear of retaliation or feelings of shame.

The five main forms of elder abuse and their warning signs are:

Emotional/Verbal Abuse

• Depression
• Mood swings
• Unexplained behavioral changes
• Withdrawal from social activities (i.e. isolation)

Physical Abuse

• Burn marks
• Broken bones
• Bruises and welts
• Unexplained changes in behavior
• Unexplained injuries, particularly in hard-to-spot locations

Sexual Abuse

• Memory loss
• Unexplained STDs
• Stained or torn underwear
• Difficulty sitting or moving
• Suddenly fearful of being touched
• Injuries, particularly near the hip, thigh, or genital area

Neglect

• Pressure ulcers/bedsores
• Malnutrition or dehydration
• Rapid weight loss or weight gain
• Unsanitary living conditions
• Poor personal hygiene
• Missed doses of medication

Financial Abuse

• Missing funds
• New lines of credits
• Unusual ATM withdrawals
• Unexplained changes to wills, powers of attorney, property titles, life insurance policies, etc.

Factors That Increase the Risk of Abuse in Nursing Homes

Factors that increase the likelihood of abuse in a nursing home include:

• Understaffing. When a nursing home is understaffed, caregivers are spread too thin to pay enough attention to each resident. Understaffing can lead to neglect, as well as increase the likelihood of falls and other injuries.

• Stressed or exhausted caregivers. Understaffing can cause caregivers to become stressed or exhausted, which raises the chances of the caregiver neglecting or intentionally harming an elderly person.

Additionally, an elderly person’s condition may put them at higher risk for nursing home abuse. For example, if the elderly person cannot communicate well, they may not be able to report incidents of abuse.

Reporting Nursing Home Abuse

By law, doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals are required to report any signs of nursing home abuse. If you notice or suspect any signs of nursing home abuse, bring it to the attention of the facility’s staff immediately.

Your relative’s doctor has easy access to their charts and will be able to confirm or deny your suspicions. If you directly witness abuse in a nursing home, contact the authorities.

After you report the abuse, contact an experienced nursing home abuse attorney in St. Louis who can help you navigate this complex legal process and ensure the responsible parties are held accountable.

Your attorney will help you document the evidence needed to support your case, including:

• Writing down the descriptions of the elderly person’s injuries
• Taking photos of the elderly person’s injuries
• Noting any changes in the elderly person’s behavior
• Collecting written statements from any witnesses
• Collecting a written statement from the elderly person

Statute of Limitations in Missouri

It’s important to keep in mind that nursing home abuse cases are subject to a statute of limitations; plaintiffs have a certain period of time to file a claim and start a civil action. In Missouri, you have five years to file a personal injury action for nursing home abuse or neglect and three years to file a wrongful death claim.

Certain exceptions to the statute of limitations may exist in some cases, including:

• Where the plaintiff had a mental or physical incapacity following the abuse and was not able to file a claim.
• Where the injury resulting from the abuse did not manifest until a later time.
• Where there is intentional misrepresentation or fraudulent concealment on the part of the defendant.

It’s in your best interest to work with a qualified nursing home abuse lawyer in St. Louis who can help you navigate this complex legal process and recover the financial compensation your loved one deserves.

Victims of Elder Abuse Have Rights

No one should be subjected to elder abuse. But if it does occur at a nursing home, the state grants the victim the right to sue for damages. Alternatively, a surviving loved one or personal representative may take action on behalf of the victim.

We at DiPasquale Moore are equipped to help you throughout the legal process. We will investigate your case to determine whether nursing home abuse has occurred; if it has, we will work tirelessly to win you justice and closure. A successful case may also result in compensation for medical expenses, pain and suffering, funeral and burial expenses, loss of quality of life, loss of care, guidance, and companionship, and/or other damages.

Contact a St. Louis nursing home abuse attorney online for a free case review. if we don’t win your case, you won’t have to pay a dime!