Nursing home abuse is a widespread problem in the United States, a sad fact that many people would rather not face. While victims report many instances of elder abuse, several remain undetected and unreported. Victims of nursing home abuse are often at risk of severe injuries, emotional trauma, and even wrongful death.
A Detroit nursing home abuse lawyer with Ben Crump Law, PLLC, will stand by your side to defend you and your loved ones if you have experienced nursing home abuse in any form. In addition to communicating with all involved parties on your behalf, our legal team will pursue any awards to which you may be entitled. To learn more about your options for legal recourse, call our team today at (800) 712-9119 for a free consultation.
Types of Nursing Home Abuse
When most people think of nursing home abuse, they think of physical violence. While violence is an issue, there are other types of nursing home abuse. Abuse may begin in verbal form and progress toward physical acts of violence, such as hitting, slapping, punching, or kicking. In some cases, abuse might surface as neglect.
An individual is not always the one who performs abuse, either. If a nursing home or other residential facility allows acts of neglect to continue, this also qualifies as nursing home abuse. Because elder abuse has such negative outcomes, it is important to be aware of its many forms. Forms of nursing home and elder abuse include:
- Psychological and emotional violence
- Financial abuse and trickery
- Sexual abuse
- Physically restraining an individual with chains, straps, etc.
- Abandonment
- Allowing an elderly person to engage in self-neglect
As the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports, “From 2002 to 2016, more than 643,000 older adults were treated in the emergency department for nonfatal assaults and over 19,000 homicides occurred.”
These figures are appalling. But they should serve to remind you that if you suspect an act of elder abuse in a nursing home, you should consider taking action. With various forms of nursing home abuse harming so many people each year, silence only makes things worse.
If you or a loved one has suffered psychological, financial, or physical harm and injuries from an act of nursing home abuse, you might be entitled to compensation. A Detroit nursing home abuse lawyer with Ben Crump Law, PLLC, can collect evidence, establish liable parties, and pursue justice on your behalf. Give us a call today so that we can start working for you or your loved one.
Our team works on contingency, which means you pay no upfront attorney’s fees or out-of-pocket costs. We know that dealing with elder abuse is tough, but we make it our mission to never shy away from tough cases. We will stand up to defend you and your loved ones.
For a free legal consultation with a nursing home abuse lawyer serving Detroit, call (800) 712-9119
Factors That Increase the Chances of Abuse
Nursing home abuse can happen to anyone. However, some risk factors increase the chances that a person might experience abuse. Those who have certain cognitive conditions possess a greater risk of abuse.
The National Center on Elder Abuse highlights a 2009 study that found nearly 50% of people with dementia experience abuse of some kind. In some cases, perpetrators assume that a person with cognitive problems will have trouble recalling abuse.
In other cases, a facility may fail to offer comprehensive care to someone with dementia or another condition, thus qualifying as an act of neglect.
Older adults with disabilities also have a higher risk of elder abuse. Those who lack a family support system may appear more vulnerable to abusers, making them an easy target.
If a nursing home resident does not have visitors stopping by regularly, some abusers will make a note of this and take advantage of the situation. Elders who make use of social services can prevent some of the isolation that may otherwise make them a target for abuse.
Other common risk factors that increase the likelihood of nursing home abuse include:
- Poor physical health
- Low income
- Previous history of abuse
- Gender and race
- Cognitive conditions and disabilities
- Lack of familial or social support networks
Detroit Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer Near Me (800) 712-9119
Establishing Liability in Nursing Home Abuse Cases
Establishing liability in a nursing home abuse case is not always easy. If an individual commits abuse, then lawyers will aim to collect evidence that aids in proving liability. However, nursing homes and other long-term care facilities might work to deny their involvement in the case.
Many acts of neglect place liability on the nursing home. For example, if a facility fails to train its employees on how to treat residents with a specific medical condition, this could qualify as neglect. If a resident is left to walk the halls without proper supervision, and they injure themselves in a fall, then the facility could also be held liable.
Legal teams will consider these factors and more when establishing liable parties. They also might pursue other financial awards that you may be eligible to receive. Possible compensation covers the costs of medical bills, hospital visits, physical therapy programs, rehabilitation, and psychological and emotional suffering.
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Contact a Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer Today
Nursing home abuse is difficult to deal with alone. Having the right legal counsel to guide you can help you manage the challenges that nursing home abuse cases present.
A Detroit nursing home abuse lawyer with Ben Crump Law, PLLC, can defend your legal position and pursue any forms of compensation that you may be owed. Call us today at (800) 712-9119 to set up an appointment for your free case review with a staff member today.
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