<![CDATA[Elder Abuse - Tapalian Law]]> https://www.tapinjury.com/news/categories/elder-abuse/ Thu, 10 Jul 2025 21:57:27 GMT en-us <![CDATA[Nursing Home Abuse Under-Reported Despite Law, Finds Government Audit]]> https://www.tapinjury.com/news/nursing-home-abuse-reported-despite-law-finds-government-audit/ https://www.tapinjury.com/news/nursing-home-abuse-reported-despite-law-finds-government-audit/ Tue, 19 Sep 2017 18:00:56 GMT Rhode Island is home to over 80 certified Medicare and Medicaid nursing homes which provide a vital service to elderly and disabled patients. These facilities contain over 8,500 resident beds, 90% of which are full. As an injury law firm advocating for elder abuse victims who have incurred a personal injury in a nursing home,…

]]> Rhode Island is home to over 80 certified Medicare and Medicaid nursing homes which provide a vital service to elderly and disabled patients. These facilities contain over 8,500 resident beds, 90% of which are full. As an injury law firm advocating for elder abuse victims who have incurred a personal injury in a nursing home, at Tapalian Law we find it unsettling that a recent review by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services found 33 states failed to report incidents of potential abuse or neglect in skilled nursing facilities, as required by Federal Law. The probe discovered more than 1 in 4 cases of possible nursing home abuse allegedly went unreported to police.

Federal Law requires immediate notification of instances of physical or sexual abuse against nursing home patients. Nursing homes should be a comfort to residents who need the medical care, daily assistance, and social opportunities offered by these types of facilities. A nursing home shouldn’t be a frightening experience fraught with elderly abuse and neglect. Tapalian Law is a personal injury law firm helping victims of nursing home neglect and abuse and their families. We realize that nursing homes are a critical element in the lives of many Rhode Island residents and provide a vital service to elderly or disabled patients and their loved ones.

Report Findings by Department of Health and Human Services

According to the report by the Officer of Inspector General, Rhode Island did not appear on the list of 33 states with Incidents of Potential Abuse or Neglect in Skilled Nursing Facilities during 2015 and 2016. Nearby Massachusetts and Connecticut were reported with 2 and 1 incident, respectively. The state with the largest number of unreported incidents is Illinois (17), followed by Michigan (13). The audit seeks to serve as an “early communication to those charged with governance or management”, and “may be important because of their relative significance and the urgency for corrective follow-up action”. The audit faults Medicare for failing to enforce the law and determines that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), are not doing enough to ensure that proper measures are taken following incidents of potential abuse or neglect.

Rhode Island General Law- Duty to Report Abuse in Health Care Facilities

Although Rhode Island nursing homes were not cited in the probe, they are of course required to follow the Rhode Island “Duty to Report” Law. In summary, the law states any physician, medical intern, registered nurse, licensed practical nurse, nurse’s aide, orderly, certified nursing assistance, among many other occupations, is required to report within 24 hours, any knowledge of or reasonable cause to believe that, a patient or resident in a facility has been abused, mistreated, or neglected. The report must include information about the person reporting the alleged incident, information regarding the alleged victim of abuse, mistreatment, or neglect, as well as details, observations, and beliefs surrounding the incident. Other specifics are essential including but not limited to, date and time of incident, names of others who may have knowledge of the incident, name of individual who may be responsible for the incident, and more. Rhode Island has numerous statutes and programs to protect elders, including the Elderly Violence Prevention Act and the Citizen’s Commission for the Safety and Care of the Elderly.

Personal Injury Lawyer Helping Victims of Nursing Home Abuse

If you are the child, or spouse, of a Rhode Island nursing home patient and see your loved one’s health or physical condition deteriorate, seek out the guidance of a RI personal injury attorney. Forms of nursing home neglect or abuse can be physical abuse, emotional abuse, financial abuse, abandonment, sexual abuse, and medical malpractice. Caregivers, nurses, and doctors’ responsible for your loved one’s care at the facility should be able to completely explain how any personal injury or other sign of abuse or neglect has occurred to your family member. If they cannot, this may be a sign that your loved one is being neglected and family will want to explore the incident with the nursing home administrator, authorities, and/or a skilled personal injury lawyer. Designated family members of nursing home or assisted living patients should be kept abreast of the care of their loved one, including any falls, wounds, or sickness. Tapalian Law is a personal injury law firm who helps victims and families of nursing home or elderly abuse, seek compensation for their injuries or mistreatment. If you feel your parent, spouse, or loved one has been hurt due to abuse or neglect in a Rhode Island nursing home, contact Attorney David Tapalian today to discuss your possible elder abuse or neglect case. We provide a free consultation for your personal injury case and will let you know if we think you have a viable claim to seek monetary damages. Call us today at 401-552-5000 or contact us online.

]]> <![CDATA[Prevent Nursing Home Falls To Avoid Head Injuries]]> https://www.tapinjury.com/news/prevent-nursing-home-falls-to-avoid-head-injuries/ https://www.tapinjury.com/news/prevent-nursing-home-falls-to-avoid-head-injuries/ Sat, 28 Jan 2017 00:55:45 GMT A fall can cause a traumatic brain injury or TBI, which includes concussions. Elderly people are more susceptible to falls because the ability to balance decreases with age, and they may have more difficulty walking without assistance. For this reason, falls in nursing homes are common because of the number of elderly and incapacitated patients.…

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A fall can cause a traumatic brain injury or TBI, which includes concussions. Elderly people are more susceptible to falls because the ability to balance decreases with age, and they may have more difficulty walking without assistance. For this reason, falls in nursing homes are common because of the number of elderly and incapacitated patients. However, falls in nursing homes can be prevented if the staff takes reasonable measures to ensure safety.

Basic Requirements for Resident Safety

A nursing home facility should provide a safe place for residents to move around by meeting specific guidelines to prevent falls. This includes removing tripping hazards, such as rugs and electrical cords from traffic areas, as well as keeping clutter out of hallways and other walk areas.

Non-slip mats should be installed in bathrooms, especially in showers and bathtubs. Handrails in showers and grab bars near toilets and along stairways should also be installed to help prevent falls. Chairs with padded arms provide more stability to assist a person while rising out of the chair until he or she is able to gain his or her balance. Proper lighting throughout the resident’s room and common areas ensure residents have better visibility of their surroundings to reduce the risk of trips and falls.

In addition, nursing home staff members should be aware of medications that residents may be taking that could impact balance or cause dizziness or lightheadedness. Some medications increase the risk of an injury from a fall because of the side effects associated with these medications. Staff members need to have procedures in place to provide fast response to calls for help, so residents don’t attempt to get up on their own, especially in the case of residents who have conditions that make standing and walking without assistance dangerous.

Signs of Traumatic Brain Injury

In addition to setting up procedures to prevent falls, it’s important for staff members to recognize signs of a concussion and other brain injuries right away to obtain immediate medical help. Some of the most common signs of a brain trauma include:

  • Headaches
  • Dizziness
  • Vertigo
  • Vomiting and nausea
  • Confusion
  • Inability to concentrate
  • Reaction time is slower
  • Fatigue
  • Loss of consciousness even if it is only for a moment
  • Double vision
  • Blurred vision
  • Changes in the ability to taste or smell
  • Irritability
  • Anxiety
  • Changes in personality
  • Inability to remember facts or events
  • Changes in speech
  • Difficulty with fine or gross motor skills

If you notice any of these signs after a fall, even days later, it’s important to take the person to a medical provider for a diagnosis.

A TBI can cause long-term problems and result in permanent disability or death. If a person falls, he or she needs to rest and move with caution, even after a doctor releases the person for normal activity. Close monitoring is essential to ensure the person returns to normal activity after a fall in a nursing home.

Do You Need a Rhode Island Nursing Home Abuse Attorney?

Some falls in nursing homes are due to neglect or negligence. It is important to investigate the cause of the fall to determine if your loved one has a claim against one or more parties. A monetary award cannot undo the damage caused by nursing home abuse; however, it can provide for extended personal care and additional medical care to help your loved one recover fully from the fall. In addition, it brings the abuse to light so that other patients may not have to suffer the way your loved one has suffered.

Contact Tapalian Law by calling 401-552-5000 or use our online contact form. Our law firm represents clients in Rhode Island and Massachusetts. We offer free consultations 24/7 for your convenience. If you cannot come to us, we will come to you!

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