Have a question? Call us on 0800 1979 345
Have a question? Call us on 0800 1979 345
This article was published on March 28th, 2022
The decision to move your loved one to a nursing home is a difficult one and it can be a hard adjustment for all of the family that is only made better by the promise that they will be properly cared for. Whilst most nursing homes in the UK adhere to high standards, treating their residents with care and dignity, unfortunately, there can sometimes be instances where residents are neglected. If your loved one has been a victim of negligence, it is important to know the steps that you should take.
Nursing home neglect can be defined as care providers failing to provide patients with the care they require. Four types of negligence can occur when caring for the elderly in a nursing home, including medical neglect, basic needs neglect, personal hygiene neglect, and social or emotional neglect. Neglect can be both inadvertent, due to staff shortages and lack of training or intentional due to incompetence or malice.
Neglect in a nursing home can present itself in many different forms including physical and emotional neglect. Some examples include:
If you suspect your loved one may be receiving negligent treatment you should first address this with your relative to see if they feel they are not being treated properly and you should also write down your observations, take pictures, and keep a log of your conversations with staff about your loved one’s care. However, if you visit again and you still believe that they are receiving negligent treatment the best thing to do is remove them from the situation as soon as it is safe to do so. Once your relative has been relocated to a safer environment it is important to report this negligence to your local authorities and get in contact with a specialist negligence solicitor.
We understand that some older adults that have experienced nursing home neglect will be unable to make this negligence claim on their own. If this is the case you will need to apply to be appointed as a ‘litigation friend’. This will then give you the authority to make decisions about the case on behalf of your loved one, as well attending a court hearing for them if necessary.
If a loved one has died due to negligent care they received in a nursing home, you will have 3 years from when the negligence occurred or from the date the negligence was uncovered. There are also circumstances where you may be granted an additional 3 years from the date of death to bring a claim.
Our expert team of negligence solicitors work with the county’s leading nursing care experts across a wide range of specialisms to ensure that we offer the very best legal advice. They have personally handled thousands of cases involving injuries caused by negligence, including instances of nursing home neglect. If you or someone you love has been the victim of poor nursing care, get in touch today by calling 0800 1979345 or fill out our simple enquiry form.
Our team will give you initial advice on your case and look after you through every step of your claim.
