It can be incredibly distressing and heartbreaking to discover someone is abusing your loved one in a nursing home. These homes should be a haven for the elderly during their golden years; yet, that is not always the case. Nursing home employees or other residents may bully and abuse those in their care. As a result, a patient may sustain life-altering injuries or even die at the hands of a caregiver.
While no money can compensate for the suffering you or your loved one has experienced, it may be possible to obtain compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and other damages. An Oyster Bay nursing home abuse lawyer at Dalli & Marino, LLP can work with you to explore your legal options and help you understand the steps you can take to protect your rights and seek justice.
What is Nursing Home Abuse?
Nursing home abuse can take many forms. For example, it could be physical, emotional, neglect, or even sexual harassment. Physical abuse is the intentional or unintentional use of physical force or violence against an older person. It includes hitting, pushing, shoving, or using excessive force to restrain them. Other forms of this abuse involve withholding physical necessities, such as food, water, or medical care.
Emotional abuse is any psychological mistreatment that causes emotional pain or distress. It could be verbal abuse, like yelling, shouting, or derogatory language. Threatening, intimidating, or manipulating a senior citizen in a nursing home can have far-reaching psychological harm. The patient may become depressed or experience other mental health issues.
Neglect involves failure to offer a nursing home resident the necessary care and support required. It may include not providing adequate nutrition, hydration, and medical care or failing to ensure a resident’s basic needs are met.
What Are Signs of Abuse in Nursing Homes?
While some types of abuse may go unnoticed, most forms of harassment and bullying leave a trail behind. The most common signs of abuse include:
- Bite marks
- Broken bones
- Dehydration
- Fractures
- Sexually transmitted diseases
- Poor hygiene
If your loved one seems anxious whenever you visit, this could be a sign of abuse. It may be beneficial to look for physical marks and uneasiness whenever you visit a relative in the nursing home, as well as asking them how they are feeling.
Steps to Take If your Loved One Sustains an Injury Resulting from Abuse
Although it may not be easy to accept that someone is abusing your parent or relative in a nursing home, there are several ways to help them. In case you suspect this is happening, follow these steps:
- Document the injuries and the circumstances surrounding them. Take photographs of the injuries, and make a note of any witnesses to the incident.
- Report the abuse or neglect to the nursing home staff and the authorities. In the United States, you can report nursing home abuse or neglect to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
- Consider hiring a lawyer to represent you and your loved one. A nursing home abuse lawyer can help you pursue legal action against the nursing home and hold them accountable for the injuries sustained by your loved one.
- Take steps to protect your loved one from further harm. This may involve moving them to a different nursing home or taking them home with you.
Remember to act quickly, as there are time limits for bringing a claim for nursing home abuse. Don’t hesitate to reach out for help and support during this difficult time. The best place to start is by consulting a nursing home abuse attorney. A nursing home abuse lawyer can thoroughly investigate the abuse allegations and gather evidence to support your case.
They can also negotiate with the nursing home or their insurance company on your behalf and represent you in court if necessary. A lawyer helps you seek compensation for the harm you or your loved one has suffered.
Seek Legal Assistance from a Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer at Dalli & Marino, LLP
In case you believe your loved one has suffered wrongful death or injury due to abuse in a nursing home, reach out to our lawyers at Dalli & Marino, LLP. Our Spanish-speaking legal team can assist you by offering legal representation and guidance while seeking justice. We will help you investigate the circumstances of the abuse. This process involves talking to witnesses, reviewing medical records, and obtaining other relevant documents.
If the evidence warrants legal action, our nursing home abuse attorney will help you file a lawsuit against the nursing home and any other parties responsible for the abuse or neglect. Contact us today at (888) 465-8790 or through our online contact form to schedule a consultation.
