Louisville, KY Nursing Home Medical Restraints Lawyer

Medical Restraints in Nursing Homes

You’ve recently visited your loved on in the nursing home and noticed they are more groggy than usual. Perhaps even knocked out entirely. After a number of visits you’ve begun to notice a frightening pattern – your normally active or excitable family member is now always asleep. This is more commonly referred to as “medically restraining” a patient and in most instances is a precursor or clear sign of elder abuse.

If you have reason to believe your loved one is being persistently sedated or over medicated – don’t wait a moment longer. Contact the personal injury specialists at the Thomas Law Offices today. We believe those that abuse our elders and take advantage of their weakened state must be dealt with quickly. Louisville, KY nursing home medical restraints lawyer Tad Thomas has extensive experience taking on incompetent or willfully ignorant care facilities and will work tirelessly to help your family recover any damages suffered. While the past cannot be undone, Mr. Thomas will ensure those responsible are held to the highest letter of the law.

But don’t delay. Nursing home abuse is serious problem within our health care system, both locally and nationally, and is often covered up by those who run the homes in question. The longer you wait, the more danger your loved one could be in. Additionally, the statute of limitations in Kentucky leaves little room for stalling. Within one year of discovering the problem you must file your suit or risk losing your legal opportunities.

Contact the Thomas Law Offices today for more information and to schedule a free case evaluation.

What Does Medical Retraining Look Like?

Unfortunately, it looks very much like it sounds. When a person is medically restrained, or over medication in some cases, they are essentially sedated and put into a stupor to make them docile. Nursing homes staff members who are undertrained, underpaid or simply uncaring, will use sedation as a way to avoid dealing with residents on a regular basis. In some cases, you may not even be aware that your loved one is being silenced with heavy medication. There are however signs to be mindful of:

• Not behaving like themselves, unresponsive, lethargic
• Seem to be in a constant state of confusion, delirium or semi-conciseness
• Fighting to stay awake or overly fatigued

What Can I Do If I Suspect A Loved One Is Being Medically Abused?

First and foremost, you’ll want to remain calm. In many instances, when individuals realize their family member has become the victim of abuse, there is a near uncontrollable reaction that goes hand-in-hand. To avoid the staff covering up their tracks and losing your case before it even begins, refrain from aggressive confrontation or agitation with the hospital workers. Then consider some of the following steps:

• Request to see a complete list of drugs that are administered to your family member on a daily basis and how often.
• Request to speak with the facility manager and voice your concerns.
• Speak with your doctor or an outside physician to discuss the list you were provided.

If your family member’s condition persists or the care facility staff is less than helpful, contact Adult Protective Service in your county for assistance. They will follow up with surprise checks and inspections to evaluate your concerns. On the other hand, if you believe your loved one to be in immediate and life threatening danger call 911 immediately.

For additional information or to schedule an appointment, call the Thomas Law Offices at (877) 955-7001.

For more information on how to protect your elderly loved ones, click here to download our eBook.