Nursing home abuse is a condition that exists and can affect your elderly senior resident in different ways. In a nursing home care facility, your elderly senior is alone and dependent on the nursing home staff for their basic needs. This trust in a nurse or other caretaker can be eroded quickly if abuse enters into the picture.
On the local view, closer to home, you may see small hints during your visit to the nursing home. You may be initially distressed to see your loved one—a disheveled appearance, loss of weight, an angry or depressed attitude, or possibly physical signs of bruises, cuts or burns.
Upon seeing these signs, the right thing to do is to ask the staff and management what is going on with your resident. If the answers are vague or evasive, then it might be signs that something is amiss in the nursing home.
If you feel that signs are evidence of nursing home abuse, consider working with a Minneapolis nursing home abuse lawyer from Ben Crump Law, PLLC. Your initial consultation call with us is free. Contact our team today at (800) 712-9119.
Types of Nursing Home Abuse
Visitors to nursing homes may witness blatant signs of abuse or neglect. A messy floor, unwashed linens, or a cluttered walkway may be signs of negligence. Or they may also be indicators that the nursing home is understaffed.
In general, here are some of the types of abuse or negligence found in nursing homes, according to the National Institute on Aging:
- Neglect, including the failure to provide assistance with basic daily activities
- Physical abuse, including pushing, punching, grabbing, causing skin marks
- Sexual abuse, including groping, fondling, and unwanted affection
- Mental abuse, including threatening words, angry sarcasm, and such
- Financial abuse, or taking a resident’s money, valuables, or identity
Nursing home abuse constitutes a serious violation of the standards of care. Working with a Minneapolis nursing home abuse lawyer at Ben Crump Law, PLLC can help you focus on your loved one’s recovery while also seeking legal recourse. Call today to (800) 712-9119. Together, we can examine evidence and records to see if the nursing home has a history of abuse.
For a free legal consultation with a nursing home abuse lawyer serving Minneapolis, call (800) 712-9119
Taking Action against Elder Abuse
In nursing home abuse cases, the courts may find that the nursing home or individual caregivers violate the residents.
Another area in which elders are abused in nursing homes can be through the misuse of medications for the resident. If a senior resident needs special medications or requires special attention, and the staff does not respond to these needs, this can be viewed as negligence or abandonment.
Because elderly residents may feel vulnerable to those who care for them, they may be easy targets. Any residents with cognitive impairments or mobility issues may feel particularly vulnerable and unable to report abuse or neglect.
As a loved one of a senior resident, you may witness the signs of elder abuse, such as changes in behavior, bruises and bumps, and a lack of nutrition in your elderly senior.
Minneapolis Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer Near Me (800) 712-9119
Finding Breach of Duty
When the nursing home staff does not fulfill its duty of care for the residents, then that is generally seen to be a breach of duty, and is the first step in filing a lawsuit for negligence. If the staff willingly ignored the needs of the resident patient, that is a clear breach of duty.
Next, if that breach of duty caused harm to the individual, it would be another charge of negligence against the nursing home. And if that harm caused personal injuries or financial hardships, then that would be seen as significant harm to the individual.
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Work with a Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer
It can be devastating to discover your elderly loved one suffered abuse or neglect by a caregiver in a nursing home. You placed your trust in the nursing home, and the last thing you want to find is that they failed to uphold the standard of care your loved one deserves. You do not have to suffer without seeking justice, though.
You can choose to file an insurance claim against the nursing home. If negotiations do not lead to a fair settlement for your loved one’s losses, you may choose to file a personal injury lawsuit or wrongful death lawsuit.
There is a statute of limitations of two year for personal injury lawsuits in Minnesota. The failure to file in the allotted time can result in the loss of your right to take any legal action at all, so act quickly if you believe abuse or neglect is occurring. A lawyer can help you comply with the statute of limitations. The sooner you reach out, the sooner they may begin to work on your case.
Finally, working with a lawyer can help you focus on what is most important—spending time with your elderly loved one and making sure they recover from any physical injuries. Let a lawyer handle the legal process while you prioritize your loved one’s health. Call Ben Crump Law, PLLC at (800) 712-9119 to discuss your findings. Our Minneapolis nursing home abuse lawyer can handle your case and help you seek fair compensation.
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