Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer

Nursing home abuse is a serious situation that requires a thorough investigation. Family members trust nursing home staff to care for their vulnerable loved ones who cannot speak up for themselves. Patients and residents should receive high-quality care free of negligence or abuse of any kind.   

If you suspect that your family member suffers abuse or neglect from their caregiver, immediately reach out to a personal injury attorney at our firm. An experienced nursing home abuse lawyer could thoroughly investigate your case to determine if any misconduct has taken place. If so, they could fight tirelessly to hold the responsible party accountable for the harm caused to your loved one. 

Defining and Identifying Nursing Home Abuse 

The phrase “nursing home abuse” applies to many kinds of conduct, most of which are not accidental. Nursing home staff may do so out of malice or simply because it is easy to take advantage of an elderly person. Another type of nursing home abuse is negligence. While neglect may not be intentional, it is just as serious as direct abuse. Both types of abuse could result in devastating injuries to the nursing home resident. 

Common occurrences of nursing home abuse include: 

  • Physical harm and abuse 
  • Emotional abuse and trauma 
  • Financial exploitation or theft 
  • Rape, sexual assault, and other sexual misconduct 
  • Isolating residents from family members and friends 
  • Malnutrition and purposeful deprivation of food or water 
  • Failure to change bedding 
  • Unnecessary and illegal confinement 
  • Passive neglect 

Many other types of abuse may also occur. These examples reveal just how serious these situations can be. A skilled elderly abuse attorney knows how to handle these cases and collect the necessary evidence to prove such misconduct in court. 

Identifying Signs of Nursing Home Abuse 

There can be several signs of nursing home abuse in a particular situation. However, these signs are often difficult to see if the family does not know what to look for. For example, a common sign is when valuables constantly disappear.  While people commonly lose objects, they are not usually items of high value. This repetitive occurrence is an indication of financial abuse and exploitation by staff. 

Other behavioral or physical indicators of abuse include: 

  • “Fall” injuries that are poorly explained or occur frequently 
  • Unexplained bruising or other skin damage 
  • New and sudden fearfulness by the resident 
  • Sexually transmitted infections or diseases 
  • Not being permitted to contact or communicate with the resident 
  • Physical wounds and harm 
  • Losing a lot of weight unexplained by a medical condition 

 Any or all of these signs may point to abuse or negligence by the people who are supposed to care for and protect your loved one. 

What to Do If You Suspect Nursing Home Abuse

When a family member suspects abuse, they should immediately contact the authorities in their state. For instance, most states have an elder abuse department, hotline, or other agency they can call. 

The other option is to immediately contact a nursing home abuse attorney. Not only could a legal professional help a family protect their rights, but they also know the proper authorities to contact to prevent any further harm to the nursing home resident.   

Seek the Services of a Nursing Home Abuse Attorney 

The negligent or intentional acts of a nursing home or its staff can result in severe harm. When that happens, the staff or facility deserves to be held accountable for their actions. The nursing home resident and their family may be entitled to financial compensation stemming from their physical injuries and emotional harm. 

Let a skilled nursing home abuse lawyer get to work for you. Contact our law firm today to get started on your case.