Nursing Home Abuse
Nursing home abuse and neglect are sadly too commonplace.
Nursing home abuse and neglect is sadly too commonplace. Due to the vulnerable nature of the elderly, they are targets for being taken advantage of by wrongdoers. Abuse and neglect can manifest itself in many ways, but if you suspect a loved one is a victim, it is crucial to contact a personal injury attorney experienced in handling nursing home abuse cases.
Whether the abuse of your loved one is mental, physical, emotional, or financial, it is imperative that charges are brought against the negligent party or parties. To do this, people must educate themselves about the symptoms of nursing home abuse.
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Symptoms or Signs of Nursing Home Abuse or Neglect
Although there can be various symptoms or signs that your loved one is the victim of nursing home abuse or neglect, below is a list of some of the common things you should look for:
- Bedsores or pressure sores
- Dehydration
- Unexplained bruises, cuts, lacerations, or scrapes
- Malnutrition, extreme or sudden weight loss
- Infections
- Unsanitary living conditions
- Jaundice skin
- Reluctance by your loved one to be touched
- Missing or broken personal items
- Financial anomalies
Most families notice when something irregular occurs with their loved one’s bank account, or if valuable personal items go missing if they are paying attention and monitoring regularly. However, if you do not live near your loved one’s nursing home, this can be difficult to do. It may be even more difficult to monitor the physical or mental condition of your loved one. All of this means residents of nursing homes fall victim to abuse and neglect too often. However, if you have suspicions or feel uneasy about the care your loved one is receiving, a knowledgeable nursing home abuse attorney can review the circumstances and help you determine if action should be taken.
Gather Potential Evidence & Report the Abuse
If you suspect your loved one is being abused or neglected, you should immediately contact the nursing home administrator to discuss your concerns. You should also take pictures or videos of any bruises, lacerations, or other injuries evidencing negligent care. As they say, “pictures are worth a thousand words” and it shows the nursing staff that you are paying attention to the level of care that your loved one is receiving.
If you do not receive a satisfactory response from the administrator of the nursing home, you can file a complaint with the state authorities.
Do I Really Need an Attorney?
Nursing home abuse is an underreported crime. As soon as you have suspicions of abuse or neglect, an investigation should be conducted immediately. Do not ignore your instincts and simply hope the abuse will go away. Hiring an experienced nursing home abuse attorney can ensure that you and your elderly loved one are safe, that the abuse stops, and your lawyer can be there from the beginning to build the strongest case possible for the recovery of damages suffered.
Recoverable Damages
Economic and non-economic damages are available in nursing home abuse cases. Examples of economic damages are medical bills, therapeutic services, medications, and whatever expenses are incurred in helping the victim recover from the abuse or neglect. Although not common in nursing home abuse cases, lost wages are recoverable if you were staying at the home temporarily. Examples of non-economic damages are pain and suffering or emotional damages the resident suffered.
Punitive damages may also be awarded in a nursing home abuse case if the actions of the nursing home were reckless, egregious, or criminal. One of our nursing home abuse lawyers can review the circumstances of your case and determine the type of damages that are recoverable. We will fully investigate your case, confer with expert witnesses, and gather all relevant evidence to prove the abuse and the extent of the injuries suffered. We are skilled in negotiating top settlements and, if the offer is not fair, we are prepared to take your case to trial.
Contact Crone Law Firm About Your Nursing Home Abuse Claim
Nursing home abuse lawsuits are some of the most highly emotional and complicated cases. Our experienced attorneys at the Crone Law Firm can stop the abuse or neglect, build your case, and pursue maximum compensation so you and your family can focus on the recovery of your loved one. Contact us online or call us today at 901-737-7740 for a complimentary case evaluation.