Nursing home abuse is a serious matter. Recognizing the signs is necessary so that you can protect your family member who has to live in a nursing home. There are certain key indicators of abuse, such as unexplained injuries, emotional withdrawal, or poor hygiene. Any of these could signal that mistreatment is taking place.
If you, or a loved one, has experienced nursing home abuse, you need to take action as soon as possible. The first thing to do is to document any evidence of abuse and report it to the facility management or relevant authority with your evidence. You will need to consult a personal injury lawyer as well, as this professional can guide you through the legal process, help to hold the responsible parties accountable, and pursue the justice and compensation you deserve to ensure your loved ones are protected from such abuse.
What is Elder Abuse?
The key definition of elder abuse is “a negligent act by a caregiver that causes or creates serious harm to the victim”. This is sadly not an unusual occurrence, as 1 in 10 adults aged 60+ experiences some form of elder abuse at some time. Examples of elder abuse are:
- abandonment;
- medical neglect;
- neglect of basic needs;
- neglect of the victim’s personal hygiene;
- allowing self-neglect;
- allowing emotional neglect.
Recognizing the Signs of Nursing Home Abuse
When you visit your elderly relative you have to be vigilant and check for signs of neglect as they can come in several forms:
- physical signs could include unexplained injuries to the victim such as cuts and bruises;
- emotional signs e.g. when the victim appears more anxious than usual;
- behavioral changes that seem to be taking place, such as sudden changes in mood;
- financial exploitation where you find some personal possessions belonging to the victim are missing, such as jewelry.
What to Do
If you believe your relative is a victim of elder abuse you have to follow a process so you can prove it. This is:
- Document evidence by keeping records of the signs of abuse, such as photos of injuries and oral recordings taken when on a visit which will help to determine the emotional state of the victim.
- Report your findings to the manager of the facility if no action is taken and your loved one doesn’t improve you should report the matter to the authorities by contacting a nursing home abuse hotline or adult protective service. Elder Abuse Hotline: 1-800-677-1116. This will connect you with local resources to report elder abuse, including in nursing homes available Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Eastern Time.
Legal Options
Your attorney may suggest you file a personal injury lawsuit on behalf of your relative where you can seek compensation for physical and emotional harm. If the abuse led to the death of a loved one you may be able to file a wrongful death lawsuit.
Contact a Personal Injury Attorney
As soon as you have made contact with a personal injury attorney you should be able to get the following help:
- understand the complexities of personal injury law and can ensure your rights are protected;
- will have extensive knowledge of elder abuse laws;
- can help you to gather evidence to build your case against the nursing home;
- negotiate on your behalf to ensure a fair settlement;
- can help avoid common mistakes like failing to meet deadlines.
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