Lawton Nursing Home Abuse & Neglect Attorneys

The Lawton nursing home abuse and neglect attorneys of Nursing Home Law Center LLC realize that a perfect world in which nursing negligence is a thing of the past is far from reality. Tackling the current epidemic of abuse requires knowledge of how we got here and using that information to prevent future occurrences. It is rather clear that the flood of for profit nursing chains into the industry during a period of political hostility toward funding social programs has allowed many of these for profit organizations to get away with placing profits above dignity and respect. We can fight fire with fire, however, by advising the public toward seeking treatment for their loved ones at quality nursing facilities rather than those with a reputation of abuse and neglect.

Medicare routinely releases information to the public on every nursing home in Lawton, Oklahoma based on data collected through inspections, surveys and investigations. According to the database monitored by the government, investigators identified serious violations and deficiencies at five (23%) of these twenty-two Lawton nursing facilities that harmed residents. If your loved one was injured, abused, mistreated or died unexpectedly from neglect while living in a nursing facility in Oklahoma, your family has legal rights. We invite you to contact the Lawton nursing home abuse & neglect attorneys at Nursing Home Law Center (800-926-7565) today to schedule a free, no obligation case evaluation to discuss a financial compensation lawsuit.

Lawton Senior Demographics

The city of Lawton is the fifth largest city in Oklahoma and its relationship with Fort Sill has a significant impact on its economy. Efforts to diversify the economy have resulted in the addition of factories, colleges, large retail companies and health care companies. Its largest private sector employer is Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company while government and education encompass a large portion of work.

Lawton’s population has seen steady growth and is currently just shy of 97,000. Senior citizens make up 9.4% of the total and the introduction of many more retirees in upcoming years will only see this segment of the population grow. It is for this reason that discussions need to take place concerning the welfare and treatment of our elderly population and how we can best protect their rights and interests. While many seniors will continue to live healthy and active lives well into their golden years, there are also those who will lose their independence due to medical conditions or injuries.

Lawton Nursing Homes

There are five nursing homes in the immediate Lawton area, which means that residents have limited options when it comes to who can be trusted with their loved ones’ care. Our Lawton nursing injury lawyers have compiled the following information by using the Medicare nursing home compare tool found at https://www.medicare.gov/nursinghomecompare. The homes we are reviewing are all inside of a 25 mile radius of Lawton, but the tool does allow you to expand your search to a greater distance if you are willing to relocate your loved one to a higher quality home that is a little farther away.

Overall Rating of 22 Nursing Homes
Rating: 5 out of 5 (6) Much above average
Rating: 4 out of 5 (5) Above average
Rating: 3 out of 5 (6) Average
Rating: 2 out of 5 (1) Below average
Rating: 1 out of 5 (4) Much below average
August 2018

Cedar Crest Manor
1700 Northwest Fort Sill Boulevard
Lawton, OK 73507
(580) 355-1616

Ownership— For profit corporation

Participates in Medicare/Medicaid: Yes

Overall Rating— 3 stars out of 5

Primary concerns: The most concerning issue revealed by Medicare’s evaluation is the complete disregard shown toward quality measures. This score evaluates how well staff evaluates patients’ needs and risk factors before putting together a personalized care plan and executing it in a manner that keeps the patient happy, comfortable and healthy. Cedar Crest received only one star in this area and some minor health inspection infractions are another reason for pause.

Comanche County Memorial Hospital Skilled Nursing
3401 West Gore
Lawton, OK 73505
(580) 355-8620

Ownership— County government

Participates in Medicare/Medicaid: Medicare only

Overall Rating— 5 stars out of 5

Primary concerns: It is slightly surprising to see a government facility so highly rated in light of severe cuts to funding over the last fifteen years. This center passed Medicare’s evaluation with flying colors by returning five star scores in all areas of assessment. If there is a downside, it is that patients hoping to use Medicaid as a source of payment are unable to do so.

McMahon-Tomlinson Nursing Center
2007 Northwest 52^nd Street
Lawton, OK 73505
(580) 357-3240

Ownership— County government

Participates in Medicare/Medicaid: Yes

Overall Rating— 1 star out of 5

Primary concerns: This government run center hasn’t received the same glowing reviews as its counterpart and more accurately displays the devastation that can be wrought on centers relying on government funding when lawmakers are unforgiving in their dismantling of the social safety net. A one star health inspection rating, one star quality measures score and two star staff rating say it all.

Willow Park Health Care Center
7019 Northwest Cache Road
Lawton, OK 73505
(580) 536-1279

Ownership— For profit corporation

Participates in Medicare/Medicaid: Yes

Overall Rating— 3 stars out of 5

Primary concerns: Understaffing is rampant for this facility and the tendency for nursing corporations to prioritize profit often results in the reduction of staff to levels that are not capable of addressing patients’ needs or concerns. The resulting one star quality measures rating could be due to an overworked staff stretched for resources.

Montevista Rehabilitation and Skilled Care
7604 Quanah Parker Trailway
Lawton, OK 73505
(580) 536-2866

Ownership— For profit corporation

Participates in Medicare/Medicaid: Yes

Overall Rating— 2 stars out of 5

Primary concerns: The staff here is considered mediocre, but is also passable by Medicare’s standards. What is not, however, is a two star health inspection record blemished by numerous recorded deficiencies.

Our Lawton nursing injury lawyers understand how frustrating it can be to have limited options when it comes to the care of your loved ones. We are happy to help you find more qualified nursing centers and to help you in the transition if your loved one is currently residing in an environment that is detrimental to his or her safety or emotional wellbeing.

How to Detect Abuse or Neglect

Detection of nursing negligence can be difficult when the symptoms often mimic well-known neurological disorders that patients are predisposed to developing. It is worth noting that these disorders rarely exhibit a sudden or rapid change in your loved one’s personality or health and are more progressive. If your loved one experiences more sudden and rapid changes in mood, weight or personality, you are right to look into the matter with more scrutiny.

Some clear signs of neglectful treatment, unacceptable conditions or outright abuse include the following.

• Living quarters that are not regularly cleaned and inattention to hygiene. Your loved one should be bathed regularly and have access to bedding that is cleaned on a routine basis. If he or she does not, the home is liable for any resulting injuries; both physical and emotional.
• The development of pressure ulcers due to neglect. Patients with limited mobility due to medical conditions or injuries are considered high risk for bedsores, but these sores can be prevented and treated through the regular repositioning of patients and by checking in regularly to ensure sores haven’t developed or worsened.
• The presence of bruises, marks or other physical wounds. Restraint, physical assault and sexual abuse are all serious offenses and are often revealed by physical signs rather than an admission by the victim. Your loved one may not alert you to his or her plight out of fear or shame, so you need to be aware of the signs and ready to act on his or her behalf.
• Hospitalization due to medication errors. These errors are extremely common due to the limited time nursing have to spend with each patient and the number of medications many seniors are taking. Most errors only result in minor side effects, but others can be catastrophic.
• Your loved one loses weight without explanation or suffers from fatigue, confusion, dizziness or loss of consciousness. Malnourishment or dehydration could be to blame.
• You notice sudden changes in mood, angry outbursts, paranoia, silence in the presence of caregivers, depression or any other psychological indicator of stress or trauma.

Nursing Home Law Center LLC is a leading defender of nursing victims’ rights across the nation and has helped thousands of families hold nursing homes accountable for the injuries their loved ones have suffered under their watch. If you suspect your loved one is being mistreated, we can help you get answers, assist you in relocating your loved one and pursue justice on your loved one’s behalf through the aggressive pursuit of damages.

Contact us today to arrange a free consultation with one of our award winning Lawton nursing home abuse and neglect attorneys so that we can gather the information we need to properly review your claim. We will cover all of your legal options with you so that you can make an informed choice on how to proceed and we guarantee never to require a retainer or attorneys’ fees upfront. Our success is directly connected to your own and if we fail to secure compensation on your behalf, our services will be free of charge.