David G. Hughes Attorney

NURSING HOME ABUSE STATISTICS

Posted on by David G. Hughes

Statistics reflecting incidents of abuse involving elderly residents in nursing homes and care facilities in Missouri and throughout the United States are both staggering and disheartening.  More than 2 million cases of elder abuse are reported annually, and almost one out of every ten elderly individuals will experience some form of elder abuse.  Additionally, the overwhelming majority of elder abuse incidents remain unreported.

When nursing homes assume their responsibility of caring for an elderly individual, a trust relationship is created by the facility and the elderly person and his or her family members. When that trust relationship is broken, the elderly individual and his or her family members may have a right to file a lawsuit against the nursing facility to recover damages for injuries.  Nursing home care facilities owe both the elderly individual and their family members a duty of care, and if said duty is breached by way of negligence or perhaps criminal intent, ensuing damages can be sought against the nursing home facility.

We have successfully handled nursing home cases throughout the state of Missouri.  If you or a family member has been injured or died as the result of nursing home neglect, please call me at 314-241-4477. David G. Hughes, Attorney at Law.

ST. LOUIS MISSOURI AREA NURSING HOME LAWYERS – LAWSUITS

Posted on by David G. Hughes

Nursing home neglect varies according to each case, and therefore, there are four different types of nursing home neglect including: 1) Medical neglect when the nursing home facility fails to attend adequately or prevent medical concerns of the resident, including care for bed sores, infections, mobility issues, and lacerations; 2) Neglect of basic needs where the nursing facility fails to provide the resident with a reasonable amount of water and food or fails to provide a clean and safe environment; 3) Neglect of personal hygiene where the nursing home residents do not have adequate assistance with cleaning, brushing their teeth, laundry, bathing or other types of hygiene; 4) Social or emotional neglect where staff members repeatedly ignore the resident and leave them alone without care.

Neglect can be identified by changes in the resident such as: 1) Malnutrition; 2) Sudden weight loss; 3) Bed sores or pressure ulcers from failing to adequately turn the resident; 4) Falls resulting in various types of injuries; 5) Dehydration for failing to keep the resident adequately hydrated; 6) Withdrawn behavior of the resident or abnormal changes in behavior; 7) Alterations in appearance or personal hygiene; 8) The presence of hazards such as slippery falls, bad lighting, unsafe wheelchairs and walkers, and unsafe furniture in the resident’s room.

We have successfully handled nursing home cases throughout the state of Missouri. If you have a loved one that you believe suffered an injury, or even death, as the result of a nursing home’s failure to provide adequate care, please contact me at 314-241-4477. David G. Hughes, Attorney at Law.

Missouri Pedestrian Accident Attorney – Pedestrians Killed By Cars at Highest Rates Since 1990

Posted on by David G. Hughes

Pedestrian deaths in the United States reached a 30 year high in 2018, as an estimated 6,227 people died on foot from car crashes nationwide last year. Pedestrian deaths account for about 16% of motor vehicle crash deaths. Many of the deaths are due to the growing shift away from passenger vehicles to sport utility vehicles and light trucks, which generally cause greater injury to pedestrians than cars at the same speed. The number of pedestrian deaths involving sport utility vehicles has grown by 50% from 2013 to 2017, compared with a 30% increase for passenger cars. Also, distractions caused by smart phones are a growing concern causing pedestrian deaths.

If you or a loved one has been struck by a motor vehicle and are in need of a Pedestrian – Car Accident Lawyer in the St. Louis area, please call me, David Hughes, at 314-241-4477 to discuss your potential case. The consultation is free and I do not charge a legal fee unless I recover on your behalf.