Indiana
Nursing Home Injuries

Placing a loved one in a nursing home is a tough decision, built on trust. You expect competent care and safety. Yet, injuries happen far too frequently in these facilities, and frankly, many aren’t simple “accidents.”

Often, injuries stem from negligence, understaffing, or outright abuse. If you suspect something is wrong with the care your family member is receiving in an Indiana nursing home, you’re right to question it. There are steps you can take to protect them and explore accountability.

 

Feeling overwhelmed and unsure where to turn? TopDog Law connects people like you with experienced Indiana nursing home injuries attorneys. Call us now, and we can help you find a lawyer in your area who can look into your situation.

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Your Guide to Indiana Nursing Home Injuries 

James Helm, Personal Injury Lawyer

It Looked Like a Safe Place... Until It Wasn't

You did the research, toured the facility, met the staff. You chose a place you believed would provide the care your loved one needs and deserves. Now, an injury, or a pattern of issues, makes you second-guess everything.

This is a fundamental breakdown in the expected standard of care. Nursing homes have a responsibility to their residents, and when they fail, the consequences can be severe, leaving families feeling betrayed and angry.

The glossy brochures don’t show the potential reality: sometimes staff are overworked, undertrained, or proper protocols aren’t followed. When that happens, residents are the ones who suffer.

Spotting the Red Flags: Common Indiana Nursing Home Injuries & Neglect

So, what should set off alarm bells? Certain injuries are more common than others in nursing home settings, and many point towards inadequate care rather than unavoidable events. Keep an eye out for these warning signs:
  • Bedsores (Pressure Ulcers): These painful sores develop when someone isn’t moved or repositioned regularly. They are almost always preventable with proper attention and indicate serious neglect.
  • Falls and Fractures: While some falls happen, frequent falls or falls resulting in serious injury like hip fractures might suggest inadequate supervision, unsafe environments, or failure to implement fall-prevention plans.
  • Malnutrition and Dehydration: Unexplained weight loss, weakness, or signs of dehydration can mean the resident isn’t getting enough food, fluids, or assistance with eating and drinking.
  • Medication Errors: Giving the wrong drug, the wrong dose, or missing doses altogether can have dangerous health consequences. This often points to poor management or undertrained staff.
  • Physical or Sexual Abuse Injuries: This is horrific, but it happens. Look for unexplained bruises (especially in patterns suggesting restraint), cuts, welts, or behavioral changes like fear or withdrawal. Any suspicion requires immediate action.
  • Infections: Frequent infections, like UTIs or sepsis, might result from poor hygiene practices, inadequate wound care, or unsanitary conditions.
  • Unexplained Bruising or Injuries: Any injury the staff cannot clearly and reasonably explain warrants investigation.
Seeing one of these doesn’t automatically mean neglect occurred, but it’s a serious reason to look closer and ask hard questions. A pattern of such issues is a major red flag.

Your Loved One Has Rights: What Indiana Law Says

Nursing homes in Indiana operate under specific legal obligations. Your loved one doesn’t lose their rights just because they reside in a long-term care facility. Both federal law and state law protect them.

The federal Nursing Home Reform Act (OBRA ’87) sets national standards. Additionally, Indiana law provides specific protections. For instance, Indiana Code Title 12, Article 10, Chapter 13 (IC 12-10-13) outlines the “Rights of Persons in Health Facilities.”

Key rights under these laws generally include:

  • The right to be treated with dignity and respect.
  • The right to be free from physical, mental, and sexual abuse, neglect, and exploitation.
  • The right to appropriate medical care and treatment.
  • The right to a safe, clean, and homelike environment.
  • The right to manage their own financial affairs (or have them managed responsibly).
  • The right to privacy and confidentiality.
  • The right to be informed about their condition and treatment options.

Knowing these rights empowers you to advocate effectively for your family member.

Okay, Something's Wrong. Now What? (Post-Discovery Steps)

Seeing the problem is one thing; doing something constructive about it is the next step. Once you suspect neglect or abuse and have ensured your loved one’s immediate medical needs are addressed, focus on these actions:

  1. Document Everything: Keep a detailed log. Write down dates, times, specific observations about injuries or poor conditions. Note who you talked to and what was said. Take clear photos of injuries or unsafe conditions, if you can do so appropriately and without violating privacy rules excessively.
  2. Talk to Management (Carefully): Schedule a formal meeting with the nursing home administrator or director of nursing. Present your concerns calmly but firmly. Document this meeting – who attended, what was discussed, and what actions (if any) they promised to take. Be aware that their priority might be protecting the facility.
  3. Seek Legal Connection: Reporting is important, but it might not address compensation for injuries or fully hold the facility accountable financially. Connecting with a lawyer who handles these types of cases is a logical next step to explore legal options.
  4. Report Officially: Don’t rely solely on the facility to fix things. You have the right to file formal complaints. In Indiana, you can report concerns to:
    1. The Indiana Department of Health (IDOH), Division of Long Term Care: They handle licensing and investigate complaints related to care quality. You can file online or call their hotline at 1-800-246-8909.
    2. Indiana Adult Protective Services (APS): If you suspect abuse, neglect, or exploitation, especially for vulnerable adults, contact APS. Their hotline is 1-800-992-6978.

Why Bother? Accountability and Holding Them Responsible

You might be exhausted, emotionally drained, and wondering if pursuing this further is worth the energy. It’s a valid feeling. But taking action serves multiple purposes.

It’s about accountability. Nursing homes that provide substandard care need to face consequences. Pursuing a claim can force them to address staffing issues, improve training, or change dangerous practices. This can help prevent similar harm from happening to other residents down the line.

It’s also about seeking justice for what your loved one endured. Compensation obtained through a legal claim can help cover medical expenses resulting from the injury, pay for better care elsewhere if needed, and acknowledge the pain and suffering caused by the negligence or abuse.

A qualified attorney can assess the damages and advise on the potential for financial recovery based on the specifics of the case.

Personal Injury Lawyer

Demand Better for Your Loved One

James Helm, Personal Injury Lawyer

TopDog Law Personal Injury Lawyers

Indiana Office

863 Massachusetts Ave 2nd floor Suite B
Indianapolis, IN 46204

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