Nursing Home Neglect & Abuse Attorneys in Liberty & Kansas City, Missouri
When you place a family member in a nursing home, you are entitled to expect that they will be treated with dignity and properly cared for. When negligence or abuse occurs at a facility, putting your loved one's health or life in danger, the facility and its employees need to be held accountable.
At Dougherty & Holloway, our attorneys have brought many nursing home neglect and abuse lawsuits to successful conclusions for our clients. We have the deepest respect for what you and your family are going through, and we understand how difficult it is to learn that someone you trusted with your loved one's care has failed them.
By pursuing a claim against those responsible, we can help you obtain compensation for the harm done to your family member and work to prevent the same thing from happening to other residents.
Recognizing the Signs of Nursing Home Neglect and Abuse
Many nursing homes will dismiss your concerns by saying things like "that happens at this age" or attributing problems to the normal aging process. That does not mean your concern is not valid or that your family member is not suffering from neglect or abuse.
If you notice any of the following, it may be a sign that something is wrong:
- Untreated bedsores or pressure ulcers
- Open wounds, cuts, or unexplained bruises
- Significant or unexplained weight loss
- Dehydration or malnutrition
- Poor hygiene or unsanitary living conditions
- Bruises suggesting the use of physical restraints
- Finding your loved one left in soiled clothing or bedding
- Complaints of physical, verbal, or sexual abuse
- Sudden changes in behavior, mood, or appearance
- Withdrawal, fearfulness, or reluctance to speak openly
Trust your instincts. If something feels wrong when you visit your family member, it may be worth investigating further.
Neglect vs. Abuse: Understanding the Difference
Neglect
Neglect occurs when a facility fails to provide the level of care a resident needs. This can include failure to assist with basic hygiene, failure to provide adequate food and water, failure to administer medication properly, failure to reposition immobile residents to prevent bedsores, and failure to maintain a safe and clean environment. Neglect is often the result of understaffing, poor training, or a facility prioritizing cost savings over patient care.
Abuse
Abuse involves intentional harm or mistreatment of a resident. This can include physical abuse such as hitting, pushing, or improper use of restraints; emotional or verbal abuse such as threats, intimidation, or humiliation; sexual abuse; and financial exploitation. Abuse may come from staff members, other residents, or outside individuals who have access to the facility.
How We Handle Your Nursing Home Case
Review Medical Records
We obtain your loved one's complete medical records from the facility and review them for evidence of missed care, medication errors, unreported incidents, and patterns of declining health.
Investigate the Facility
We research the facility's history, including any prior complaints, state inspection reports, citations, and staffing records. A pattern of violations can strengthen your case significantly.
Consult Geriatric Care Experts
We work with qualified experts in geriatric care and nursing home standards to evaluate whether the care your family member received fell below accepted standards and whether that failure caused harm.
Hold Them Accountable
We pursue compensation for your loved one's injuries, pain and suffering, and any related medical costs. We hold the facility, its ownership, and its staff accountable through settlement negotiations or trial if necessary.
Nursing Home Neglect & Abuse FAQ
How do I know if my loved one is being neglected in a nursing home?
Warning signs include unexplained weight loss, dehydration, untreated bedsores, poor hygiene, unexplained bruises or injuries, soiled clothing or bedding, and sudden changes in mood or behavior. If your loved one seems fearful, withdrawn, or reluctant to speak openly around staff, that may also indicate a problem. Trust your instincts and document what you observe.
Can I sue a nursing home for neglect in Missouri?
Yes. Missouri law allows families to pursue claims against nursing homes and their staff for neglect, abuse, and violations of resident rights. These claims can seek compensation for medical expenses, pain and suffering, and in cases involving death, wrongful death damages.
What if my loved one passed away due to nursing home neglect?
If your family member's death was caused by or contributed to by nursing home neglect or abuse, you may have a wrongful death claim against the facility. Missouri's wrongful death statute allows certain family members to pursue compensation. Contact an attorney as soon as possible, as evidence can be difficult to obtain once time has passed.
Will filing a lawsuit affect my loved one's care at the facility?
Federal and state laws prohibit nursing homes from retaliating against residents or their families for filing complaints or lawsuits. If you are concerned about retaliation, discuss your options with an attorney. In some cases, it may also be appropriate to transfer your loved one to a different facility while the case is pursued.
Related Practice Areas
Request a free consultation or call (816) 891-9990.
About Dougherty & Holloway, LLC
Dougherty & Holloway, LLC is a personal injury law firm based in Liberty, Missouri, serving clients throughout Kansas City, Clay County, and the surrounding communities in Missouri and Kansas. Our partners, Ed Dougherty and Philip Holloway, bring more than 70 years of combined trial experience to every case we handle.
We focus exclusively on personal injury law, including car accidents, motorcycle wrecks, semi-truck collisions, traumatic brain injuries, medical malpractice, wrongful death, slip and fall, nursing home abuse, product defect, construction site, highway and guardrail, and other personal injury claims. Every consultation is free and confidential, and we work on a contingency basis — you pay nothing unless we win your case.
Ed and Phil personally handle every case from intake through trial. You will never be passed off to a junior associate or a call center. To learn more, read who we are, review our verdicts and settlements, or contact us directly. You can also request a free consultation online or call (816) 891-9990.