With more and more of the United States population aging, nursing home and elderly communities are constantly expanding to help accommodate more patients. Tragically however, nursing home abuse of the elderly is becoming one of the most widespread crimes in America. Nursing home patients are vulnerable from many types of abuse ranging from physical violence to theft of property.
Many common types of nursing home abuse cases have been caused by under qualified and inexperienced staff members. Employees are sometimes unable to handle certain situations and have been known to take out their frustrations on residents of the nursing homes. Studies show that over half of the suspicious deaths researched in nursing homes might have been causes by neglect or negligence including dehydration and malnutrition.
Because of conditions such as dementia and Alzheimer’s, older adults are very vulnerable to abuse. History of domestic violence may also make certain seniors more susceptible to abuse in a nursing home.
Placing a loved one in a nursing home can be one of the most difficult decisions a loved one is forced to make. Often times this decision is very emotional, and not thought out entirely. When you enroll a loved one into a nursing home you are entrusting the caregivers with more than just money. You are entrusting them with a life of a loved one. In the event that a loved one has been victimized by the actions of a nursing home employee, it is your duty and right to seek legal attention. A compassionate, experienced nursing home abuse lawyer can help you understand your legal rights and guide you towards an appropriate course of action.
In addition to common types of nursing home abuse, there are also several other types of abuse. Mental, physical, neglect and exploitation are all other forms of abuse that can happen in nursing homes. Mental abuse can include fear, depression, withdrawal, behavior changes, weird behavior patterns, unwillingness to communicate and specific complains by the resident. Physical abuse can include cuts, burns, bruises, swelling, broken bones, restraints and other wounds. Neglect can include bed sores, smells of urine and feces, unkempt appearance, untreated medical conditions and other complaints. Explotation / Financial abuse can be the selling of property, missing or stolen property and specific complaints by the resident.
Many times a loved one has been a victim of the terrible and inhumane actions of a nursing home employee or supervisors. If this is the case, it’s your main concern to seek immediate and experienced medical treatment and then contact a lawyer. With such emotional conditions, it is often times very hard to remember the legal rights that the victim of the abuse has. The first step in pursuing your neglect case is to contact a qualified attorney. They will determine whether or not a legal claim should be made and whether or not the case should even be pursued. Contact an attorney today.
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