Nursing Home Lawyer

Most people do not expect for their loved ones to suffer harm in a nursing home. Unfortunately, however, it can happen. Older adults are especially vulnerable to abuse and most likely never report it to their family. Here are the most common types of nursing home abuse.

Physical Abuse

Physical abuse refers to any abuse that causes bodily harm, like punching, kicking and pushing. Common signs of this type of abuse include bleeding, broken bones and bruises. Without prompt medical treatment, physical abuse can lead to severe injuries and even death.

Neglect

Neglect may not result in any physical injuries, but it can still be very harmful to nursing home residents. Neglect usually comes from apathy or carelessness. Medication errors are one of the most common types of neglect in nursing homes and cause significant harm. If staff members forget to give residents their medication or give them the wrong dosages, residents can suffer life-threatening complications. 

Other types of neglect include failing to feed residents properly, not maintaining residents’ personal hygiene, ignoring residents’ complaints and not checking up on patients for long periods of time.

Emotional Abuse

Emotional abuse can cause nursing home residents psychological harm and may include making threats, insulting residents, yelling and keeping residents away from their family. Residents who have suffered emotional abuse may appear more depressed, irritable and withdrawn.

Sexual Abuse

Sexual abuse can include unwanted groping, touching and other sexual contact. It can also cause physical harm, like scratches, bruises and sexually transmitted diseases. Residents who are cognitively or physically impaired are more likely to suffer sexual abuse.

Financial Abuse

Nursing home residents are also at risk of financial abuse. This type of abuse occurs when staff members steal money or possessions from residents. They might steal credit cards or valuables from their rooms, keep them from accessing their bank accounts or even coerce them into changing their will. Financial abuse can cause residents to lose money needed to pay for long-term care.

What to Do If You Suspect Nursing Home Abuse

If you have reason to believe that your family member is experiencing abuse at a nursing home, it is important to act quickly. If you believe that your loved one is in immediate danger, you should contact the police as soon as possible. You should also call an adult protective agency and report the abuse.

Next, get in touch with a nursing home lawyer. What your loved one has experienced is not fair and he or she deserves proper compensation for it. An experienced lawyer can help you pursue a claim against the nursing home and stand up for your family member’s rights. He or she can assist in gathering evidence, identifying liable parties and negotiating with the insurance company. Your loved one has a better chance of receiving a fair settlement.

Schedule a consultation with a nursing home lawyer from Brown Kiely, LLP today to discuss your case in detail.