How to Get Help from a Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer
Nursing home abuse lawyers specialize in protecting and enforcing the rights of the vulnerable elderly. Nursing home abuse is an all too common occurrence and one that can be difficult to crack down on. Nursing homes have a responsibility to their patients, but they are not always held accountable for their actions. They are, however, held responsible for the actions of their employees. There is rarely a case where an employee is not held accountable when they are found to have seriously abused or neglected a patient.
Nursing homes and nursing home abuse attorneys may be able to help you if your loved one has been the victim of nursing home abuse in any way. Abuse of elderly patients can take place in a variety of ways and can be challenging to detect. Some nursing homes may have a specific policy that states that no one can ever touch a patient without the proper consent. However, it is not uncommon for it to be overlooked or ignored.
What Is Nursing Home Abuse?
Nursing home abuse is any mistreatment that results in either physical, mental or emotional harm. This can include anything from neglect to fraud to assault. Nursing home abuse attorneys have seen countless cases of abuse to elderly patients in nursing homes. If you believe your loved one may have been the victim of nursing home neglect, abuse or any mistreatment, it is crucial that you immediately report it.
Nursing home abuse lawyers can help you through this process. If you have been the victim of nursing home abuse, you may be eligible for compensation. Nursing homes can have insurance policies that cover such cases. Nursing homes and nursing home abuse attorneys can help your family recover some of the financial damages that have occurred as a result of this case.
What Are Some Common Types of Abuse?
There are many different ways that elder abuse can occur. It can happen physically, sexually and even psychologically. Below is a list of common types of abuse that people in nursing homes may experience:
Physical Abuse:
Physical abuse is one of the most severe types of nursing home abuse. Physical abuse includes any unwanted physical contact with a person by another person or object. This contact can be anything from hitting to pushing to the traumatic use of mechanical restraints such as handcuffs, cribs and g-limbs.
Sexual Abuse:
Sexual abuse is one of the most upsetting types of nursing home abuse that can occur. Nursing home sexual abuse can range from unwanted advances to outright sexual assault. Sexual contact can include everything from groping to rape.
Psychological Abuse:
Another form of nursing home abuse that can occur is psychological abuse. This type of abuse includes verbal, emotional or mental cruelty by a caregiver to a patient in a nursing home setting. It can be anything from being called names to being banned from social gatherings.
Can a Nursing Home be Held Liable for the Actions of Its Employees?
Most states in the US have what is called a “mandatory reporter law”. This law requires anyone who is working at a nursing home, whether it be an employee or a volunteer, to report any signs of abuse. This allows families to see if there are any red flags in the home that they may not have noticed. This includes neglect as well as abuse. Nursing homes and nursing home abuse attorneys can help protect your rights if you believe you or your loved one has been the victim of nursing home abuse in any way.
Nursing home abuse is an all too common occurrence. It is essential to protect yourself and your loved ones. If you think your loved one may have been the victim of nursing home abuse, it is crucial that you immediately report it. Nursing homes and nursing home abuse attorneys can help if such a case does occur. The sooner you report such mistreatment, the more likely that justice will be served for your family.
How Can I Be Sure That My Relative Receives Adequate Care?
Nursing home abuse attorneys and nursing homes must care for every resident in their facilities. You must do your part to protect yourself and your loved one as well. There are sure signs that your loved one is being abused. If you notice any of these signs, you should report them immediately. One of the most common signs of nursing home abuse is bed sores.
Bed sores can occur from lack of hygiene, cuts from bed restraints and prolonged exposure to the elements. If a bed sore develops in a place where it should not have, it can cause an infection or even harm to that part of the body.
Conclusion:
Many people do not know that health insurance policies often cover the abuse of older adults in nursing homes. If a family member is injured or abused by the caretakers of their loved one, they should not be left to fend for themselves. Nursing home abuse attorneys can help to process any claims that are made. They can assist in filing insurance claims, providing legal advice, and helping with the difficult task of collecting damages for a family member if necessary.
