Texas law requires anyone who suspects abuse,
exploitation or neglect of an elderly or abused person to report
the abuse. If you suspect abuse of an elderly person who resides
at a nursing home, call the Texas Department of Human Services
(long-term care) at 1-800-458-9858. Alternatively, you can report
abuse concerns by calling the Texas Medicaid Fraud Hotline at 1-800-252-8011.
If you call to make a complaint, you should be
prepared to provide the name and address of the nursing home, name
and room number of the patient, a brief statement of the complaint,
and your own name, phone number and address. Anonymity is guaranteed
to anyone who files a complaint or reports abuse and/or neglect.
If a complaint alleges that a resident has died or is in imminent
danger due to conditions in a nursing home, the Texas Department
of Human Services must investigate the complaint within 24 hours.
The facility will not be given advanced notice of the inspection,
and witnesses will be interviewed in private.
Nursing homes may not retaliate against a resident, family member
or employee who makes a complaint. Talk To an Attorney.
If a loved one is injured or dies as a result
of nursing home abuse and/or neglect, Texas law allows you or your
family to file a private lawsuit against the nursing home for claims
resulting from negligence and/or wrongful death.
Do not procrastinate. Memories fade, evidence
such as medical/nursing records can be altered, destroyed or lost.
Bad situations rarely improve on their own. Act now (not a month
or a year from now) to protect yourself, your loved ones and your
rights.
Take notes. If you or a loved one has been injured, keep a log
or diary of problems noted. Keep a record of to whom and when the
problems were reported, the action that was taken, and any other
relevant information. Also take note of your loved one's moods
and behavior.
Do not talk with anyone other than your lawyer.
You should not discuss your case with anyone. This includes insurance
adjusters who may call you, nursing home administrators, nursing
home directors and/or attorneys.
If a loved is in a nursing home and you feel that
have been abused or neglected, please contact The Rasansky Law
Firm immediately to discuss your legal rights and options regarding
your loved one in a nursing home.
For more information about Nursing Home Claims,
you can also visit www.nursinghomelawyer.com,
a Rasansky Law Firm speciality site devoted exclusively to Nursing
Home Claims, Nursing Home Abuse, Nursing Home Neglect, and Nursing
Home Rights.
Signs that a Loved
One In A Nursing Home could be in trouble include Behavioral
Problems, Changes In Physical
Conditions, Dehydration, and Immobility to
name a few.
