Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer

One of the hardest decisions that a family may have to make is whether the time has come to place their elderly loved one into a nursing home. Maybe their loved one is unable to care for themselves anymore or their medical issues have become too much for the family to be able to take care of. When the family finally finds a facility for their loved one, they are not only entrusting the care of their loved one to the facility, but they are also depending that their loved one will be provided that care with the dignity and respect they deserve.

Tragically, too many families discover that incidents of nursing home abuse and neglect happen far too often. In fact, it is estimated that more than two million seniors are victims of some form of elderly abuse every year. If you suspect or discover that your elderly loved one is a victim, contact a nursing home abuse lawyer for legal help.

What Are the Types of Elderly Abuse?

There are several different categories of nursing home and elderly abuse – physical, emotional, sexual, and financial.

Physical abuse is when another party uses physical force or the threat of physical force in order to cause the elderly victim pain and/or harm. As horrific as this type of abuse is, it is also one where the signs are easier to identify than the other types. Bruises, cuts, broken bones, etc., are all signs that someone may be causing harm to your loved one.

Emotional abuse is harder to identify, but it can cause just as much harm as physical abuse. Name-calling, insulting, and belittling, are all ways that nursing home staff can inflict emotional abuse on an elderly resident. Some of the signs that something is wrong to include your loved one isolating themselves, and showing signs of anxiety, depression, or other mood swings.

Although not as common as the other two types of abuse, sexual abuse is still a significant issue in nursing homes. Perpetrators can be staff, but can also be another resident. The majority of residents who are sexual abuse victims are those that are not able to give consent, such as dementia patients or those that are in a vegetative state.

Financial abuse involves a staff member stealing money or other valuables from the resident or forcing them to sign over property or other assets.

Contact a Nursing Home Abuse Law Firm for Legal Assistance

If you think your loved one has been a victim of nursing home abuse, do not delay in contacting a nursing home abuse lawyer. Your lawyer will help navigate you to reporting the abuse to the nursing home management, as well as any municipal, state, and federal agencies. Your lawyer will also help you pursue any legal action against those responsible for the injuries your loved one has suffered.