Nursing home abuse is a major problem in the United States. While there are several cases of elder abuse and nursing home abuse reported each year, many of them are unreported. Abuse of the elderly comes in many forms ranging from reprehensible caretaker behavior to blatant neglect.
If you or a loved one experienced nursing home abuse in any form, a St. Paul nursing home abuse lawyer from Ben Crump Law, PLLC will work to examine evidence and establish liable parties. We know that dealing with nursing home abuse can be tough, but our team does not back down from tough cases. We also work on a contingency fee basis. This means that you pay no up-front or out-of-pocket costs. To learn more, call (800) 712-9119 to speak with someone in our office today.
Nursing Home Abuse Takes on Many Forms
Although obvious forms of nursing home abuse such as physical and sexual assault are common, there are many other types of nursing home abuse. Financial abuse often takes advantage of a resident’s vulnerable mind. This form of abuse is also quite common, as are negligent behaviors on the part of caretakers. These may surface as improper administration of medication or a lack of care for an elder’s daily hygienic needs.
Some people are more vulnerable to nursing home abuse than others. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, HHS has created a set of criteria that can be used to assess a nursing home resident’s safety based on their cognitive ability. Because residents with cognitive deficits are more likely to be victims of nursing home abuse, these tools serve as important safeguards against assault, negligence, and other forms of elder abuse.
Many complex legal considerations should be kept in mind when examining an act of nursing home abuse. As with most incidents, the legal system poses some substantial challenges to those who do not have the time, wherewithal, or experience to navigate it on their own. The stress of communicating with a party involved in an act of nursing home abuse is enough to make most people give up. If you or a loved one have experienced a form of nursing home abuse, a St. Paul nursing home abuse lawyer from Ben Crump Law, PLLC will not give up on your behalf. Instead we will stand up to defend your legal rights and communicate with any parties related to your situation. Our team will also work to negotiate a settlement with any involved parties. If we do not settle, then we will stay by your side to defend you in a trial.
For a free legal consultation with a nursing home abuse lawyer serving St. Paul, call (800) 712-9119
Consequences of Nursing Home Abuse
Physical injury is a major risk in nursing home abuse. Those who live in nursing homes are generally there because they are aging, and as a result, they usually have health problems of some sort. Because of their fragility, nursing home residents are at a far higher risk of suffering injuries from an act of abuse. Even seemingly minor forms of physical abuse such as slaps and pushes often create disastrous outcomes.
The psychological fallout of nursing home abuse is often severe too. If a caretaker or other nursing home employee is constantly assaulting a resident, either verbally or physically, then depression, anxiety, and even suicidal thoughts can be experienced by some victims. Other forms of abuse such as sexual assault and financial abuse are likely to produce similar results.
The National Institute on Aging (NIA) states that nursing home abuse and elder abuse have far-reaching effects such as early death, financial loss, and psychological trauma. Similar to other forms of abuse, victims may adopt a guilty mentality, somehow thinking that the abuse was their fault. Moreover, victims who already have medical and cognitive conditions and then experience physical, sexual, or emotional abuse are at risk of worsening health.
St. Paul Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer Near Me (800) 712-9119
Establishing Liability and Going After Compensation
A nursing home facility may be held liable for some acts of abuse. For example, if the company failed to properly train its employees and this lapse leads to abuse, then they may be held liable. Neglect on the part of a caretaker or a facility may also make it easier for lawyers to establish liability. Some common forms of neglect include:
- Failure to administer proper medications
- Failure to assist with bathing and other hygienic needs
- Failure to maintain a safe and clean environment for residents
- Failure to care for bedsores and other conditions
In establishing liable parties, legal teams will often execute a rigorous evidence-gathering process. This may include the examination of evidence such as photographs, video footage, and a facility’s hiring and background check process and adherence to federal law.
Following an investigation, a lawyer who focuses on nursing home abuse will work to determine who should be held liable. They will also analyze laws and evidence to establish a value for your case. Possible forms of compensation that you may be owed include payments for medical bills, pain and suffering, early or wrongful death, and psychological trauma. The sooner you contact a lawyer, the sooner they can begin the process of building a case that represents your position.
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Contact Ben Crump Law, PLLC Today
Recovering from nursing home abuse is hard enough on its own. Once you add in the legal complexities involved in speaking with other parties, the process becomes even more difficult. A lawyer who focuses on nursing home abuse can communicate with all involved parties on your behalf.
If you or a loved one have experienced an act of nursing home abuse, a St. Paul nursing home abuse lawyer from Ben Crump Law, PLLC will defend your legal interests and pursue any compensation that you may be owed. To learn more about your options, call our office today at (800) 712-9119. Do not delay, as time limits exist for the filing of your case.
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