Patient Rights in Lexington Nursing Homes

Before residing in a nursing home, many people have lived full and enriching lives where they received love and respect from family members, neighbors, friends, and other people they encountered. When people relocate to nursing homes, they should continue to be treated with dignity.

If you suspect your loved one’s caregivers have violated their patient rights in a Lexington nursing home, you should speak with a knowledgeable lawyer at Circeo Law Firm. Our compassionate nursing home abuse attorneys can carefully explain what rights nursing home residents have and help you determine whether you may pursue legal action for harm or neglect done to them.

What Are Some Basic Rights for Nursing Home Residents?

Both federal and state laws set forth standards regulating the treatment of residents in nursing homes. Essentially, long-term residential care facilities must respect each resident’s basic human rights. When people live in an assisted living facility or nursing home, their rights include:

• Living in a clean space
• Feeling safe with the staff
• Privately communicating and having visits with family members and friends
• Not being subjected to abuse, whether physical, emotional, financial, or sexual
• Receiving dignified personal care, such as assistance with grooming and dressing
• Receiving necessary medical care, participating in their care, and requesting personal medical records

If you believe your loved one’s nursing home has violated patient rights by failing to meet one or more of these standards, you should consult with a trusted Lexington attorney to discuss your legal options.

For instance, residents should be able to manage their own bank accounts and other financial information, or be entitled to designate a representative to handle their finances. If a nursing home dictates a resident’s financial decisions, it violates their rights. We can investigate the situation, gather evidence, and help you determine whether pursuing a legal suit is a viable option.

What to Do if You Suspect Your Loved One’s Rights Have Been Violated

Warning signs of abuse or neglect in a nursing home resident may present differently depending on the harm being done. Signs can include:

• Frequent infections
• Unexplained bruises
• Significant weight loss
• An unclean appearance
• Major and sudden bank withdrawals
• Personality changes, such as acting withdrawn

If you have noticed any of these indicators in your loved one, you might be suspicious that their nursing home is abusing or neglecting them. You should try to gather as much information as possible if you believe your family member’s rights as a patient have been violated.

Document What You Observe

Take pictures of any visible injuries or physical changes to your loved one, including unhygienic clothing or bedding. Write down descriptions of physical or behavioral changes, as this proof helps us build a clear picture of abuse or neglect.

Seek Medical Attention

If you believe your loved one has suffered a decline in health, have them receive an evaluation from a doctor not associated with the facility. Our attorneys can use physicians’ reports as evidence linking their decline or injuries to what has happened in the nursing home.

Make a Report

You should also send an official written report to the nursing home’s administrator expressing your concerns.

Our compassionate Lexington lawyers have extensive experience upholding the rights of nursing home residents. We have successfully helped other families obtain multimillion-dollar verdicts against other nursing homes, including the largest verdict awarded for nursing home abuse in Kentucky.

Speak to a Lexington Lawyer About Patient Rights in Nursing Homes

Our seasoned legal team at Circeo Law Firm knows how to stand up for and protect patient rights in Lexington nursing homes, as exemplified by our successful verdicts. If you believe your loved one is being abused, neglected, or passed from abuse, our compassionate team is here to support you and help you pursue justice.

Contact our experienced attorneys today. We operate on a contingency basis, which means you do not have to pay us upfront, and we only collect fees if we win your case.