Known Nursing Home Chain is Being Accused of Nursing Home Abuse
The well known nursing home chain is being accused of nursing home abuse. The company currently has several facilities throughout New Mexico including homes in Las Cruces, Santa Fe, and Gallup.
Gary King, a former Attorney General, hired investigators to look into how this company’s facilities were operating. Court documents state that the facilities were understaffed and poorly managed. There have also been additional alleged incidents of both neglect and abuse from 2011 through to 2014 in several New Mexico facilities.
Poor Care Can Lead to Death or Injury
A former employee shared with investigators that she would often find patients in soiled undergarments and that it was common for them to be soaking wet because the previous shift workers did not change them. Inspectors had also found that some residents had not been showered in over a week.
The complaint continues to allege that when patients would fall and cry out for help, they would be forced to wait an exorbitant amount of time to receive assistance. A former cook blamed the abuse and neglect on poor staffing levels.
Common Signs of Nursing Home Abuse
Nursing home abuse is not always easy to detect. These are the signs to watch for if you do suspect that a friend or loved one is being abused:
- Bedsores
- Unexplained bruises
- Unexplained bleeding
- Physical discomfort
- Changes in behavior (i.e. emotional withdrawal, being silent around caretakers, etc.)
- Changes in a patient’s will and/or changes in the power of attorney
- Sudden or unexplained financial problems
- Sudden or unexplained diseases, viruses or infections
Report the Incident Immediately
If you suspect that an elderly person is being abused, it is important to report the incident as soon as possible. Adult Protective Services in New Mexico can be reached at (866) 654-3219 or (505) 476-4912.
The next step is to contact a El Paso personal injury attorney who is familiar with nursing home abuse cases. Nursing home abuse can be difficult to prove and the markers for this type of abuse are often time-sensitive. An El Paso Nursing home abuse attorney will make sure that all evidence is properly documented and preserved so that those at fault can be held accountable for their negligence.
Call the Ruhmann Law Firm Today
The Ruhmann Law Firm is committed to protecting those who are the most vulnerable in our communities. We have offices in El Paso and Las Cruces, and we represent nursing home victims in Southern New Mexico, Arizona, and West Texas.
To arrange for a free consultation with a nursing home abuse attorney today, please call (575) 525-8542.
Related Links:
- New Mexico Nursing Homes Facing New Allegations of Fatal Elder Abuse
- Video Revealed Elder Abuse in Nursing Home