Can Nursing Homes Be Sued for Negligence?
Nursing home caretakers provide a valuable service to senior citizens. As the family members of a loved one living in assisted care, we trust that the people charged with taking care of them will do their jobs humanely. Unfortunately, abuse has been well documented in nursing homes, and people who are unfamiliar with the forms of abuse out there may not know how to recognize the signs of abuse and file a personal injury claim to combat it.
Preventing, responding to, and seeking compensation for nursing home abuse are all options on the table for the family of those who’ve suffered it. Read on to learn about some of the types of abuse in nursing homes, and how you can take action to protect the interests of your loved one.
Types of Nursing Home Abuse
Nursing home abuse not only impacts the lives of those suffering abuse, but their families as well. In order to spot nursing home abuse and take the proper action, it’s important to understand the forms it might take. Some common types of nursing home abuse could include:
- Physical abuse – In the context of nursing home abuse, physical abuse could include violent action, including hitting, pushing, beating, or other forms of causing harm. It may also refer to the use of restraints or unacceptable physical punishments.
- Emotional abuse – Provoking emotional abuse or anguish in a caretaker-patient relationship can have serious consequences. Some forms of emotional abuse could include verbal abuse, making threatening statements, or even embarrassing or harassing the victim.
- Neglect – In the context of nursing home abuse, neglect occurs when the caretaker fails to ensure the adequate care or living conditions of the elderly victim. This can include failing to provide essential services or even basic living resources such as food or water.
- Exploitation – Financial or material exploitation of a loved one in the nursing home can have serious consequences. Caretakers of others have manipulated or stolen financial or material assets.
When abuse occurs, both the elderly and their families can suffer economic and non-economic damages, for which they are entitled to pursue compensation.
How to Take Action When You Suspect Nursing Home Abuse
When you suspect nursing abuse is taking place, your first step should be to ensure that your loved one is safe. Investigating suspected abuse will also be important if you do decide to take action against the abusive party. Medical reports, photographic evidence, evidence of negligent hiring, and testimony from witnesses will all be of use.
A trusted lawyer will work diligently for the compensation your family member deserves.
Contact a Trusted Lawyer
If your family member or loved one has experienced abuse in a nursing home due to negligent hiring, maliciousness, or any other reason, they deserve to be fairly compensated. At The Law Offices of Casey D. Shomo, we defend the rights of victims of nursing home abuse, and we may help you earn a settlement for your losses.
Call 561-659-6366 or fill out the form below to set up a free consultation with an experienced lawyer from our firm.
