Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect
Nursing homes are big business. An increased emphasis on profits has led to a distressing rise in neglected and abused seniors. With regulatory and legislative bodies unable to cope with a groundswell of nursing home abuse and neglect the civil justice system has stepped into the breach. Attorneys who represent our nation’s seniors and their families play a critical role in uncovering nursing home abuse and neglect.
Nursing Home Statistics
Stories of abuse and neglect are all too common in American nursing homes. 14,000 nursing home patients died nationwide of malnutrition and dehydration. Nearly 160,000 residents had at least one pressure ulcer, also known as bed sores and decubitus ulcers, yet only 35 percent of those with the most severe pressure ulcers received special care for their wounds. As many at 1.5 million seniors are abused and neglected every year, and experts believe that for every case of reported abuse, five go unreported because nursing home residents are afraid of repercussions. Trial attorneys have proven to be the most effective advocates of abused and neglected seniors.
The civil justice system is the most effective force to compel corporate nursing homes to fix their conduct. For more information go to www.thepecklawgroup.com.
About the Author
Attorney Steven Peck has been practicing law since 1981. A former successful business owner, Mr. Peck initially focused his legal career on business law. Within the first three years, after some colleagues and friend’s parents endured nursing home neglect and elder abuse, he continued his education to begin practicing elder law and nursing home abuse law.