When a family makes the difficult decision to place their elderly loved one in a nursing home, they typically do so after much thought and research. A family wants the best environment for their loved one, and as a result, they look for a place in which their loved one will feel happy, safe, and cared for on a daily basis. Unfortunately, some families make the horrific discovery that their loved ones suffered abuse in their nursing homes. If you suspect or have proof that your loved one suffered any kind of abuse as a nursing home resident, contact our legal team today to learn more about how a Baltimore nursing home abuse lawyer at Ben Crump Law, PLLC at (800) 712-9119 can help your family during this difficult time.
Understanding the Different Types of Nursing Home Abuse
There are different types of nursing home abuse that an elderly resident can suffer. While most people immediately think of physical abuse, there are other types of nursing home abuse that can have catastrophic consequences. The following are the types of nursing home abuse that can occur within a long-term care facility or nursing home.
Physical Nursing Home Abuse
Nursing home residents are some of our society’s most vulnerable. Along with a decreased ability to defend themselves physically, many elderly residents of a nursing home also suffer from neurocognitive degenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, making them unable to understand or process the abuse they receive. A nursing home can abuse a resident physically not only by directly hitting them, but also by failing to provide food and water, helping with daily tasks such as going to the bathroom or assistance walking, providing necessary medication, or treating medical conditions or infections. As a result of physical abuse, the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) research shows that elderly residents have a higher risk of death if they suffer from physical abuse.
Emotional Abuse
Psychological and emotional abuse of elderly residents can result in serious psychological conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder. Emotional abuse can include shaming, berating, intentionally causing fear or anxiety, or threats of intimidation. If an employee of a nursing home attempts to achieve compliance from a nursing home resident through threats or intimidation, this is also a sign of emotional abuse.
Sexual Abuse
Shockingly, many elderly residents of nursing homes suffer from sexual abuse, as reported in the National Consumer Voice for Quality Long-Term Care. The sexual abuse can come from either an employee of the nursing home or from another resident who may have cognitive challenges and believe another resident is their spouse. However, in any circumstance, an elderly resident has the right to be free from sexual abuse as a resident under the care of a nursing home.
Financial Abuse
Because the nursing home staff must provide food, water, and assistance getting from a bed or help going to the restroom to residents, they typically have access to every resident room in the facility. As a result, some unscrupulous employees could take advantage of this situation to steal money, credit cards, or personal belongings of an elderly resident. In other cases, a nursing home employee could use the situation to their advantage to manipulate an elderly resident to change their estate planning documents, making them a beneficiary.
For a free legal consultation with a nursing home abuse lawyer serving Baltimore, call (800) 712-9119
Why Victims Should Consider Filing a Lawsuit Regarding Nursing Home Abuse
While no amount of compensation could ever truly compensate a victim for the abuse they suffered, filing a lawsuit regarding nursing home abuse hold the employee and facility accountable for their actions. Additionally, it may prevent other abuse from happening to other vulnerable elderly residents in the future at that particular facility or other nursing homes. Also, continuing to place a spotlight on nursing home abuse can ensure that the national discussion moves forward to always work towards providing more rights and justice for those elderly victims of nursing home abuse. If nursing home abuse has affected your family, contact our team today at Ben Crump Law, PLLC for a no-obligation consultation.
Baltimore Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer Near Me (800) 712-9119
Points to Consider as You Pursue a Nursing Home Abuse Case
Every nursing home abuse case will have a different set of facts and circumstances. Consider the following points as you move forward to pursue justice on behalf of your loved one.
- Does the nursing home take any responsibility for the abuse? Do they seem cooperative or adversarial regarding the suspicions or charges? Did they provide any assistance with the investigation or documents freely and without challenge?
- Did your loved one receive medical attention if the nursing home abuse was physical or sexual in nature? Did your loved one receive psychological counseling or treatment if the abuse was emotional in nature?
- Was the nursing home abuse particularly egregious? (For example, any sexual abuse, nursing home residents tied to chairs or denied food in order to obtain compliance, etc.)
- Do you have any evidence, testimony, or proof of the abuse? (Do not worry if you do not have any actual evidence or testimony. If you suspect that your elderly loved one suffered any kind of abuse as a nursing home resident, a Baltimore nursing home abuse lawyer at Ben Crump Law, PLLC can help you build a case if your loved one suffered abuse.)
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Learn More About How a Baltimore Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer Can Help Your Elderly Loved One
You may feel distraught and devastated when you discover that your elderly loved one suffered abuse as a resident in a nursing home. The impact can remain long after any physical wounds have healed. Many elderly residents that suffer abuse have psychological and emotional challenges for a significant period following the abuse. In some cases, physical abuse may have caused additional medical issues or complicated existing ones. All of this can result in additional medical costs, loss of wages for a family caregiver, and pain and suffering. Call our team at (800) 712-9119 to find out how a Baltimore nursing home abuse lawyer at Ben Crump Law, PLLC can help you understand all of your family’s legal rights during this difficult and challenging time.
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