Finding out that your elderly loved one suffers from abuse and neglect in their nursing home can be nothing short of a nightmare. When we move our loved one to a nursing home, we have the right to expect a good standard of care and attention. Nursing home abuse is illegal, immoral, and outright cruel, and it’s more widespread than we would like to imagine.
According to a study published by the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), nursing home abuse could be much more common than figures suggest, as research is limited to date. The study mentions that vulnerable individuals include the elderly suffering from chronic diseases who experience physical and cognitive decline, making them largely dependent on others.
Our seniors deserve respect and dignity in their twilight years. Nursing home abuse is an egregious crime and has no place in our society. If your loved one suffered emotional or physical injuries from abuse or neglect in their nursing home, you do not have to stand for it. Your Aurora nursing home abuse lawyer can fight for your rights and the rights of your loved one. Contact Ben Crump, PLLC now for help at (800) 712-9119.
Nursing Home Abuse in Aurora
Nursing home abuse can come in many different forms. While we might assume that abuse is typically physical violence, our seniors might be facing many other forms of abuse in the nursing home. Ignoring a senior’s requests for assistance or speaking to them harshly, to name just two examples, can be forms of abuse. Types of nursing home abuse include:
Physical Abuse
Physical abuse or violence can be any action that deliberately causes pain and injury to a nursing home resident, such as kicking, shoving, slapping, or pushing a senior. Improper restraint is also a form of physical abuse. Physical violence can be easier to detect than other types of nursing home abuse as the victim typically shows signs such as:
- Extensive bruising
- Fractures
- Cuts and burns
- Dislocations
- Fearfulness
Emotional and Verbal Abuse
Emotional abuse can be anything that causes emotional anguish and distress to a victim, including humiliation or ignoring a resident’s requests. Humiliation in front of other residents, calling residents names, yelling, or isolating the resident, can all be forms of emotional abuse. While this type of abuse can be tough to spot, a senior might show the following changes in character and other symptoms:
- Social withdrawal
- Anxiety and depression
- Fear of certain caregivers
Sexual Abuse
Sexual abuse includes all non-consensual sexual acts. Sexual abuse can include unwanted nudity, filming sexual videos, and taking sexual photographs. According to The National Consumer Voice for Quality Long-Term Care, sexual abuse “frequently goes underreported, under-investigated, and unnoticed.” Cognitively impaired residents may be at a higher risk of sexual abuse than others, as they are less likely to tell on a perpetrator. Sexual abuse may be challenging to detect, but some signs can include:
- Bruising or bleeding of the genitals
- Sexually transmitted diseases
- Bloody or torn undergarments
- Difficulty sitting or walking
- Frequent urinary tract infections
General Neglect
When a nursing home does not meet residents’ basic needs, they may be guilty of neglect. If residents do not receive assistance with their daily needs, such as eating, drinking, and personal hygiene, they are victims of neglect. Signs that a nursing home resident suffers from general neglect can include:
- Dehydration
- Malnutrition
- Unexplained weight and hair loss
- Poor personal hygiene
- Dirty clothes or bedding
Seeing their loved one decline, experience emotional distress, or suffer from physical injuries, can be extremely upsetting for a family. However, remember that the law is on your side when it comes to nursing home abuse and neglect. State and federal laws, such as the Nursing Home Reform Act from 1987, also known as 42 USC § 1395i-3, protect our elderly citizens from abuse and exploitation. A nursing home abuse lawyer can help you fight for justice and compensation.
For a free legal consultation with a nursing home abuse lawyer serving Aurora, call 800-712-9119
Nursing Home Negligence
Nursing home abuse and neglect typically occur when a nursing home fails to adhere to certain standards. In some cases, a nursing home may be more focused on profits than the residents’ physical and emotional health. Profit-focused facilities may have a high resident-to-staff ratio or fail to hire adequately qualified staff.
A nursing home could be liable for a senior’s injuries and financial losses if they:
- Hired staff negligently
- Had too few staff members to ensure adequate care
- Failed to identify and stop abuse in the facility
- Failed to train staff adequately
Nursing homes are responsible for hiring prudently and conducting background checks before employing staff. When a nursing home employs too few caregivers, residents may not get their daily needs met. Finally, a nursing home is generally responsible for what happens on the property. If a third party abuses a resident, the nursing home could still be liable as they should have taken reasonable steps to prevent harm to residents.
Aurora Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer Near Me 800-712-9119
Hire an Aurora Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer for Help
Nursing home abuse and neglect, if it goes on unchecked, can have tragic consequences. A senior may suffer from mental and physical injuries and a shortened life expectancy as a result.
Nursing home abuse is unacceptable, and we are committed to helping victims and their families get justice. While we cannot turn back the time, we can potentially help you receive compensation that could include amounts for pain and suffering, medical bills, out-of-pocket expenses, and other damages.
Holding a nursing home accountable takes legal knowledge of the relevant state and federal nursing home regulations. Taking on a nursing home will also require determination, resources, and time.
While standing up to a nursing home can seem overwhelming, your Aurora nursing home abuse lawyer knows how to tackle a case and can do the work, so you do not have to. Do not let the nursing home get away with treating your loved one badly. Call Ben Crump, PLLC, today at (800) 712-9119 and determine if you could pursue compensation from a negligent nursing home.
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