Determining Nursing Home Neglect or Abuse in Corpus Christi

Nursing homes should be places of safety, where you or your loved one can feel secure and well provided for. Unfortunately, this is not always the case. Even in a state that prides itself on respecting its elders, over 30% of Texas nursing homes are cited every year for infractions related to nursing home abuse. The law surrounding neglect and abuse in these communities is not easy to grasp, but knowing key red flags is important--especially with the high number of these communities in Corpus Christi.

Residents and their loved ones need to know these red flags in determining nursing home neglect or abuse in Corpus Christi, though it is always advisable to contact an attorney with the legal know-how and experience in these cases – which the lawyers of Carabin Shaw have.

There are specific standards of care that the state of Texas expects from nursing homes. Failure to meet these standards could constitute Corpus Christi nursing home negligence .

The law protects nursing home residents from

• Mental abuse, physical abuse,
• Involuntary seclusion,
• Inappropriate use of property,
• Breaches of privacy not tied to medical necessity,
• Unneeded loss of dignity,
• Failure to be properly accommodated for,
• Unsanitary conditions,
• And living in what is legally recognized as subpar standards of cleanliness.

If one of these factors immediately seems to be occurring for you or a loved one, the attorneys of Carabin Shaw highly recommend contacting a Corpus Christi nursing home abuse lawyer and filing a claim.

Failure to give adequate and proper access to individualized healthcare is another key factor in determining nursing home neglect or abuse in Corpus Christi. Associated with this should be a personally tailored plan of care that factors in an individual’s specific needs. This plan should factor in the resident’s desire and ability to receive proper exercise, fluid needs, and a nutritious diet that fits their medical needs. In addition to physical conditions, any mental or social disabilities or conditions a patient might experience should receive appropriate care and accommodation.

All of those needs should be met via professional expertise available to the patient. If you or a loved one are in a Corpus Christi nursing home, there should be access to a registered nurse for eight hours a day, seven days a week. In addition, there should be at least one dietician, dentist, mental health professional, and physician available regularly. If you think that this is not the case, contact a lawyer immediately.

As residents can often have compromised immune systems, nursing home spaces must be vigorously maintained to control the risk of infection or the spreading of disease. There must be a clear regime in place to prevent residents from getting infected or ill due to negligence. This extends to even having a clean living space.

In determining nursing home neglect or abuse in Corpus Christi, there are some clear guidelines with checking to see if a resident is in a clean living environment. Floors should be maintained in a clean manner, meaning they should be swept and mopped, or vacuumed and cleaned, on a regular basis. This especially true for kitchen and bathrooms, with all surfaces being kept in sterile conditions at all times.

Dining facilities should likewise have tables, chairs, counters, and service areas that are wiped down with sanitizing materials regularly throughout the day. This is also true for dishes and cutlery. Even outdoor areas should be kept free of obstruction and in an orderly state. In addition, for residents in Corpus Christi, there should be reasonable expectation of hurricane damage being repaired and resolved in a prompt manner.

In addition to the physical spatial needs of cleanliness, residents should also expect clean linens that are washed and changed regularly. This is true also for their clothing, with it needing to be free of stains and unnecessary wear-and-tear.

If you or a loved one think that you may be experiencing nursing home abuse or neglect, the lawyers of Carabin Shaw highly advise you reach out to someone with the legal expertise and experience to help you. We have offices all over Texas and work with clients from all over the state. Whether you’re in Amarillo, Nacogdoches, or Corpus Christi, the law in Texas is on your side and considers any form of nursing home abuse as a wrongdoing.

Don’t bear nursing home abuse in silence; call the law offices of Carabin Shaw in Corpus Christi at 361.444.1111 today.