The Wisconsin Center for Investigative Journalism recently published an article about how tort reform in Wisconsin may be putting vulnerable nursing home residents at risk.  The law made state inspection reports of nursing homes and other health care facilities inadmissible as evidence in civil and criminal cases, which could make it significantly more difficult to prove nursing home abuse in Wisconsin.  Read the full article here….

Nursing home Abuse and Neglect in Wisconsin: What are the signs?

Nursing home abuse can be physical, such as assault, rape, forced restraint, or the unauthorized administration of drugs.  Emotional abuse may include insulting, humiliating or threatening the resident, or ignoring or isolating him or her. Abuse can also be financial in nature — the stealing of property or writing checks from the resident’s account, for example.  Nursing home neglect can consist of withholding food, water, and/or medication as well as failure to change bedding or take care of hygiene needs.

Signs to look for include:

• unusual bruising or bleeding
• open wounds, bed sores or cuts
• burns and abrasions
• sudden change in weight
• soiling, poor hygiene, smell of urine or feces
• infections
• loss of hair
• torn, stained, or bloody clothing or bedding
• listlessness or unresponsiveness
• infantile or other strange behaviors
• physical or emotional withdrawal
• disappearance of personal items
• unusual financial transactions

If you suspect nursing home abuse and neglect in Wisconsin:

IF SOMEONE IS IN IMMEDIATE, LIFE-THREATENING DANGER, CALL THE POLICE OR 9-1-1 IMMEDIATELY.

If it is not an emergency situation, you can (1) report the suspected abuse or neglect directly to the appropriate regional office; or  (2) file a complaint online; or (3) call Wisconsin’s Health Care Hotline (1-800-642-6552) to file a complaint.

Nursing home Abuse and Neglect in Wisconsin: Taking legal action

If the unthinkable happens and your aged parent or relative suffers injury, bed sores, disability, or even death because of nursing home abuse, contact an attorney experienced handling cases of nursing home abuse and neglect in Wisconsin.  Call 715.843.6700 to speak with a lawyer about nursing home abuse and neglect in Wisconsin.