Unsafe Nursing Home Attorneys in Memphis
Experienced representation for victims of nursing homes who fail to maintain a safe environment for residents
As the elderly population in this country expands, more Americans will find themselves living in nursing homes and elder care facilities. As the population at these facilities expands, the capacity of their staff may not be expanding at the same pace, which can lead to nursing home residents not getting the care and attention they need to be maintain health and wellbeing.
If you are concerned that your loved one might be facing neglect or abuse in a nursing home, Bailey & Greer, PLLC’s nursing home negligence attorneys in Memphis are here to help you get justice on their behalf. We stand up for those who do not have a voice, seeking justice for those who have been harmed by another person’s negligence.
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- What state and federal safety standards are nursing homes required to meet?
- What are some examples of unsafe nursing home environments in Memphis?
- How do I know if a Memphis nursing home maintains a safe environment?
- The consequences of failing to maintain a safe environment
- How the Memphis nursing home abuse and neglect attorneys at Bailey & Greer can help
- Is there a nursing home abuse and neglect attorney near me?
What state and federal safety standards are nursing homes required to meet?
Nursing home residents often need around the clock attention, care, and supervision, but many end up neglected, abused, and forgotten. In 1987, Congress passed the Nursing Home Reform Law following a report to Congress which revealed widespread issues of abuse, neglect, and inadequate care in nursing homes throughout the country. The Nursing Home Reform Law was enacted to establish national standards and rights that each resident would be provided with services that would maintain their physical, mental, and social well-being.
The Tennessee Division of Health Care Facilities (HCF) through the Department of Health and the Board for Licensing Health Care Facilities, establish the criteria and manage the inspection process for the annual licensing of nursing homes. Because these facilities receive significant federal funding through the Medicare and Medicaid programs, they are also subject to federal guidelines promulgated by the Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). The HCF conducts annual surveys and investigates complaints in order to comply with federal and state regulations for nursing homes.
What are some examples of unsafe nursing home environments in Memphis?
Any of the following circumstances may be considered unsafe if they can potentially lead to a resident getting hurt in any way, shape, or form:
- Wet floors and poorly maintained floor surfaces that can create a falling hazard
- Defective equipment
- Inadequate security
- Unsanitary kitchen area
- Understaffed facility
- Broken lightbulbs, poorly lit hallways
- Unclean environment
You may notice the environment pertains not only to the actual living conditions, but also the people within it who are charged with caring for or supervising the residents. One of the primary requirements of a skilled nursing facility is that they maintain a safe environment that is clean, and where residents are cared for properly. When a nursing home fails to provide a safe environment, accidents and injuries can happen such as:
- Falls
- Elopement or wandering due to lax security measures
- Resident on resident abuse
- Outsiders gaining entrance and hurting residents
- Neglect and overall lack of care, including inadequate nutrition and hydration
- Employee on resident abuse
- Accidental injuries or illness caused by residents unknowingly coming into contact with a dangerous object or substance
How do I know if a Memphis nursing home maintains a safe environment?
Of course, we want to avoid situations of abuse and inadequate care before they happen, which means we want to choose a facility that appears to have the best and safest environment possible. The best way to do this is to compare as many options as possible by reading reviews, researching their services and ways of operation, and asking questions where able. Taking tours with your loved one, or even by yourself, can also be illuminating — especially if you show up unannounced.
Any amount of this research can be a daunting, time-consuming task if you live in an area with several facilities, or if money is an object, but there are resources you can turn to for help. Doing the right kind of research is important when choosing a nursing home in Tennessee. The following resources can help:
The consequences of failing to maintain a safe environment
Surveys are conducted unannounced, and the inspections involve a team of inspectors who spend several days in the facility making sure that it meets federal and state safety regulations, and that they are providing care in an environment that is safe, clean, and managed effectively. When CMS identifies a facility that has a high number of deficiencies, they give the facility the opportunity to correct those deficiencies. If the situation is not corrected to the satisfaction of CMS inspectors, the nursing facility could lose federal funding and face fines.
When you are researching nursing homes, CMS has a Nursing Home Compare website which provides the results of the surveys. When you visit the facility, you can request to see a copy of their latest survey, which should identify the areas in which they were found to be deficient.
If your loved one was injured because of the nursing home’s failure to maintain a safe environment, we want to talk to you. We will advocate for your loved one’s rights and make sure that he or she receives the compensation deserved for any injuries incurred due to an unsafe environment.
How the Memphis nursing home abuse and neglect attorneys at Bailey & Greer can help
This is beyond a simple case of a company or corporation failing to uphold their end of the bargain. When a nursing home or elderly care facility fails to create and maintain a safe environment for every single resident in their charge, they are putting innocent lives at risk that depend on them. Residents may be unable to speak up for themselves or otherwise protect their own rights and dignity, but the Memphis nursing home abuse attorneys at Bailey & Greer know that is no excuse for them to be taken advantage of. We understand how traumatic and serious these situations can be for both residents and their families, and we are committed to helping in any and every way we can. With compassionate, tireless representation, we know how to get you and your loved one the financial compensation and justice you deserve.
Is there a nursing home abuse and neglect attorney near me?
Bailey & Greer, PLLC’s Memphis office is located at 6256 Poplar Ave. Our team is dedicated to being where you need us when you need us.
Contact our Memphis nursing home abuse and neglect attorneys today
When you have a loved one who has been injured or neglected by a nursing home, you want to get justice for them as soon as possible. We can help. We are strong advocates for our clients and their family members in nursing homes throughout Memphis, Jackson, and West Tennessee. Our Memphis nursing home abuse and neglect attorneys at Bailey & Greer, PLLC, are strong advocates for the rights of our elders and their families. We know the pain and anguish that can come from nursing home abuse. Please call 901-475-7434 or fill out our contact form to schedule an appointment with a dedicated West Tennessee nursing home abuse lawyer.
