There comes a time when you may have to leave your loved ones in a long-term care facility known as a nursing home. These are comfortable places where elders are well taken care of 24/7. In some instances, the abuse happens at a nursing home, against which you can file a complaint. If you wish to file a complaint against a nursing home, you need strong evidence to support your case with the help of a nursing home abuse lawyer in Des Moines. This article highlights five critical pieces of evidence that will strengthen your nursing home abuse case. Let’s dive in!
Top 5 Evidence that will Strengthen Your Nursing Home Abuse Case
1. Medical Records
The patient’s medical report is one of the most important pieces of evidence, as it provides a complete overview of the patient’s care and any abuse. Records include imaging, diagnostic tests, and hospitalization records. Any disease, fracture, or mental or physical abuse is also recorded in medical reports.
2. Nursing Logs
Almost all nursing homes are equipped with nursing logs. This is a tracking system that displays every interaction that occurs between the nursing staff and your loved ones. If the records remain unaltered, tracking the culprit and the sufferer becomes easier. Since it requires a thorough investigation, you will need an attorney to handle your case.
3. Surveillance Footage
At times, the physical and mental abuse get recorded on camera by chance. This footage will feature everything; thus, it is strong evidence in your favor. Since the footage belongs to the nursing home, chances are high that it will not provide you with it. Nursing home attorneys are professionals who can help you get this footage hassle-free.
4. Photographs
During your visit to your loved ones in nursing homes, check if they are injured or if there are signs of bruising, swelling, redness, or abuse. If you find any signs, click pictures of them, as they are strong evidence that your loved ones are not treated well in the nursing home.
5. Eyewitness Accounts
If anyone in the nursing home is abused mentally, physically, or neglected, eyewitnesses play an essential role. These include other residents, visitors, family members, staff, or anyone who witnessed this crime. If your family member can speak up and make a statement, this is more than enough.
Wrapping Up
Nursing homes are meant to take care of your loved ones. In case of any abuse, you can hire a nursing home abuse attorney who can help guide you throughout the procedure.