Pascagoula Nursing Home Neglect & Abuse Attorneys Champion Victims’ Rights
Established Mississippi law firm holds caregivers liable for elder mistreatment
Staff members at Mississippi nursing homes and long-term care facilities are required to treat residents in accordance with a professional standard of care. When nurses, assistants or other employees fail to uphold their responsibilities, the vulnerable adults in their care may suffer serious physical, emotional and even financial harm. The dedicated attorneys at Cumbest, Cumbest, Hunter & McCormick in Pascagoula represent patients and their families in holding Mississippi nursing homes liable for elder abuse and neglect.
Caring lawyers represent victims of physical, emotional and financial abuse
The Mississippi Vulnerable Adults Act prohibits abuse, neglect or exploitation of any vulnerable person, such as a senior citizen or someone with mental deficiencies. Violating this law can be a misdemeanor or felony, which may punished with jail time and monetary fines. In addition, the wrongful party may be held financially accountable through a personal injury lawsuit in civil court.
A victim of nursing home abuse may suffer in various ways, including physical or mental harm and deprivation of necessary services. Nursing home staff may mistreat residents through:
- Neglect — An employee may fail to administer necessary medications or meals or to keep the patient or their environment clean.
- Physical abuse — Kicking, punching, pushing or inappropriate sexual touching may occur.
- Verbal abuse — An employee may use harsh words and threats to bully a resident and break their spirit.
- Overbilling on a resident’s account — A nursing home may bill for services that were not performed or for products that the resident did not receive.
- Unauthorized withdrawal of funds — An employee who gains access to a resident’s financial information may make withdrawals or funnel money into their own accounts.
- Property theft — Missing personal belongings, whether items of high value or sentimental worth, may be the result of employee theft.
Common risk factors for abuse include physical isolation, lack of opportunities for social interaction, poor physical health, decreased mental health, dementia and substance abuse.
Informed lawyers identify common signs of nursing home abuse or neglect
Elder abuse commonly occurs when individuals do not have the means or ability to defend themselves. Nursing home patients may be too scared, embarrassed or prideful to admit that someone hurt them. If your loved one is in an assisted living facility, there are signs that may help you notice that something is wrong. These include:
- Unusual or unexplained bruises, burns or cuts
- Bed sores or open wounds
- Unexplained weight loss or weight gain
- Increased anxiety or stress
- Sudden or extreme changes in personality
- Depression
- Infections
When you retain our services, we immediately investigate your loved one’s situation so that we can put a stop to any improper treatment and collect evidence that can be used to hold negligent caregivers accountable.
What to do if you suspect elder abuse?
There are important steps you can take to protect your elder loved one from continued mistreatment. Contact Mississippi’s Adult Protective Services (APS) by calling the Vulnerable Person Abuse Hotline at (844) 437-6292 or make a report through the Mississippi Department of Human Services website.
It is also wise to speak to an elder abuse attorney. We believe all nursing home patients are deserving of attentive and respectful treatment. Our goal is to help victims regain their health and safety and to recover compensation for the harm caused by neglect or abuse.
Contact passionate Mississippi nursing home abuse attorneys to schedule a consultation
Located in Pascagoula, the lawyers of Cumbest, Cumbest, Hunter & McCormick help Mississippi senior citizens and their loved ones to sue nursing homes for elder abuse and neglect. To schedule a consultation with one of our attorneys, call 866-461-1591 or contact us online.