Arkansas Injury Lawyer Blog
Nursing home neglect in Arkansas is, unfortunately, not a new phenomenon. Cases date back decades and have resulted in avoidable deaths. Nursing home abuse is 100% avoidable, and our loved ones should not be subjected to mistreatment at the hands of their caretakers. Victims and their family members have the right to stand up and demand responsible parties be held accountable—regardless of whether or not criminal charges are filed. The experienced Arkansas nursing home abuse lawyers at the Pfeifer Law Firm can help.
Elder Neglect in Little Rock Nursing Home Results in Tragedy
The latest nursing home neglect case in Little Rock involves a facility operated by Arkansas Elder Outreach named Pleasant Valley Nursing & Rehabilitation. According to reports, the patient began living at the nursing home in 2012. Almost immediately she began suffering falls at the facility—a problem that would plague her for years and, eventually, result in her untimely death.
The victim’s family is alleging that nurses and supervisors at the facility failed to do enough to protect the nursing home resident from those falls. Court documentation states that even after several incidents (one of which resulted in severe bleeding) the facility didn’t install proper safeguards. Sadly the nursing home patient was discovered deceased in her room last year. The nursing home’s official statement was that she died of natural causes, however, an autopsy revealed the true cause of death to be positional asphyxia, meaning the deceased nursing home patient had fallen in such a manner that her breathing was obstructed.
Hard evidence collected during an investigation into elder abuse at this Little Rock nursing home suggests that if staff had installed a bed alarm, or simply transitioned her to a different type of bed, this tragic accident may have been avoided.
What You Can Do to Protect Your Loved Ones
The best way to protect a loved one living in a nursing home in Arkansas is to be observant. Visit your loved ones regularly. Visit at different times so that the employees of the nursing home won’t know when to expect you. Keep your eyes, ears, and nose open during your initial visit and every time after that. Speak with your loved one about the conditions at the facility. Follow up on any concerns your loved ones may voice.
As former Arizona nursing home administrator Maryglenn Boals told AARP, “every person in a nursing home needs an advocate . . . there are going to be mistakes.” If you notice issues, speak up! As Boals noted: “. . . every resident needs his own ‘squeaky wheel.” Be sure you’re contacting the right party and don’t settle for cookie-cutter responses that are designed to placate bothersome family members. If problems persist, don’t be afraid to file a complaint with the Arkansas Department of Human Services.
When we entrust the care and safety of our loved ones to the employees of a nursing home, we expect that our loved ones will be taken care of. When they are not, and the actions of the employees fall below the standard of care, the nursing home and its employees should be held responsible for their actions.
What to Do if You Suspect Nursing Home Abuse in Arkansas
While many people are reluctant to take legal action, finding an elder abuse attorney in Arkansas may be the best way to get the help you need. Experienced nursing home abuse attorney Paul Pfeifer at the Pfeifer Law Firm can offer expert advice and aggressive legal representation every step of the way. Contact us online or call 501-374-4440 today to schedule your free consultation. There is no charge for the consultation, and you don’t owe us anything unless we recover for you.