Was Your Loved One Rushed to the ER from Their Nursing Home? 

If your loved one was rushed to the ER from their nursing home, you may question whether neglect or abuse was responsible. In many cases, signs of substandard care—such as untreated infections, malnutrition, or repeated falls—go unnoticed until a serious medical crisis prompts emergency care. While the facility may provide a hasty explanation, the hospital’s independent evaluation can often reveal deeper issues. If the medical staff has raised concerns about possible neglect of your family member, it’s important to take them seriously. 

Our compassionate Dallas nursing home abuse lawyers at Crowe Arnold & Majors, LLP, do not tolerate the ill-treatment of the elderly. That is why we have dedicated ourselves to restoring safety and security in their lives throughout North Texas. If you suspect your loved one’s emergency hospitalization was caused by nursing home negligence, contact us today for a free consultation. 

Recognizing When an Emergency Hospital Visit May Signal Nursing Home Negligence 

While not every emergency room visit indicates neglect, some incidents clearly signal conditions that proper supervision and care could have prevented, including the following: 

• Unexplained fractures or bruises: These may result from preventable falls, rough handling, or physical abuse. 

• Severe dehydration or malnutrition: The resident may not be receiving adequate food or fluids, a fundamental aspect of proper care. 

• Advanced pressure sores (bedsores): These wounds develop when immobile patients are not turned or monitored properly and can signal prolonged neglect. 

• Head trauma or facial injuries: These serious injuries could indicate a fall, abuse, or unsafe conditions. 

• Infections progressing to sepsis: Preventable infections that become life-threatening often result from poor hygiene or untreated wounds. 

• Sudden behavioral changes or fearfulness: Drastic shifts in demeanor, such as withdrawal, agitation, or visible fear, may suggest emotional or physical abuse. 

As noted, these issues often point to broader patterns of substandard care within a facility. While many nursing home residents live with fragile health or complex medical conditions, facilities still have a legal and ethical duty to prevent foreseeable harm.  

It can take legal and medical insight to distinguish between a true medical emergency and a failure of care. At Crowe Arnold & Majors, LLP, we understand the standards nursing homes are required to meet and how to identify when those standards have been violated. 

What You Can Do Immediately After a Loved One Is Hospitalized 

When a loved one is rushed to the emergency room from a nursing home, the experience can be emotionally overwhelming and bring unexpected legal and logistical challenges. 

Here is what you can do next: 

• Get the Full Medical Picture. Start by speaking directly with the ER doctors and nurses. Emergency medical staff often provide a clearer, more objective picture than the nursing home. Their notes and observations can later serve as crucial evidence. 

• Document Everything. Take photos of visible injuries, bruises, pressure sores, or anything concerning. Write down information from the hospital staff, the date and time of the ER visit, and any details shared by the nursing home—even if vague or conflicting. 

•  Request Medical Records. Ask the hospital and the nursing home for your loved one’s medical records. You have a legal right as next of kin or health care proxy. Compare what the nursing home claims versus what the hospital finds. Discrepancies can reveal gaps in care. 

• Report Your Concerns. If something feels wrong, trust your instincts. You can file a complaint with the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) or local Adult Protective Services. 

Finally, consult an experienced nursing home neglect attorney. At Crowe Arnold & Majors, LLP, we act quickly to preserve evidence, request records, and launch an independent investigation.  

Legal Rights of Families When a Nursing Home Fails Their Duty 

In Texas and Oklahoma, families have the legal right to hold nursing homes accountable when they fail to provide the standard of care residents are entitled to. Whether the issue is understaffing, delayed medical attention, unsanitary conditions, or nursing home abuse, civil law gives you tools to seek justice and demand change. 

Who Can File a Lawsuit in Texas or Oklahoma? 

The right to file a nursing home abuse or neglect lawsuit generally belongs to: 

• The injured resident, if they are mentally and physically competent to pursue legal action. 

• Immediate family members, such as spouses or adult children, particularly when the resident is incapacitated or unable to act on their own behalf. In some cases, siblings or legal guardians may also have standing. 

• The personal representative or executor of the resident’s estate in cases involving wrongful death. This person brings the claim on behalf of the estate and eligible beneficiaries under state wrongful death statutes. 

Texas and Oklahoma have specific legal procedures governing these claims, including statutes of limitations, notice requirements, and potential pre-suit conditions (such as expert reports or affidavits of merit in medical negligence cases). If a loved one has been harmed or has died due to a facility’s failure to meet the legally required standard of care, legal options may be available.  

A qualified nursing home abuse attorney can evaluate the circumstances and advise on who has legal standing to bring a claim and how best to move forward. 

How We Families Hold Negligent Nursing Homes Accountable 

Nursing home neglect and abuse cases require specialized legal and medical expertise. These matters often involve navigating complex medical records, interpreting strict federal and state long-term care regulations, and confronting facilities and insurers that may resist accountability or obscure evidence of wrongdoing. 

At Crowe Arnold & Majors, LLP, we have the knowledge and experience to: 

• Identify patterns of systemic neglect or abuse, including chronic understaffing, falsified medical records, medication errors, and failure to follow care plans. 

• Collaborate with medical and forensic professionals to analyze injuries, determine causation, and evaluate long-term impact. 

• Secure and preserve critical evidence early, such as surveillance video, nursing logs, incident reports, facility inspection records, and witness statements. 

• Advocate for families with compassion and clarity, providing legal guidance during an emotionally difficult and often overwhelming process. 

• Pursue full compensation for damages through aggressive negotiation with insurance companies and facility counsel, and if necessary, litigate the case in court to hold responsible parties accountable. 

We have secured millions for families whose loved ones suffered serious, preventable injuries or complications due to nursing home neglect and abuse. If your loved one’s safety and dignity have been compromised, please do not hesitate to reach out. Our dedicated and compassionate team is here to advocate for you and leverage our significant resources on your behalf. 

Take the Next Step—Let Us Investigate What Happened to Your Loved One 

A nursing home emergency hospitalization may be the first real sign of neglect. If you suspect your loved one is not safe, please contact a nursing home neglect lawyer in Dallas at Crowe Arnold & Majors, LLP, and get the nursing home negligence legal representation your family deserves. Start the conversation by scheduling a free, no-obligation consultation.