Nursing Home Abuse

Our nursing home abuse attorneys work diligently to protect the rights of victims of nursing home and elder abuse. In this post, we want to review and discuss some of the important information that you need to know, including: warning signs, types of abuse and liability.

Lawyers Advocating for Nursing Home Abuse Victims

Too often, warning signs of nursing home abuse can be dismissed as parts of aging or common occurrences. It is important not to miss the warning signs that your loved one may be experiencing abuse.

Nursing Home/Elder Abuse Warning Signs

Common warning signs include:

  • Bedsores
  • Bruises and/or bleeding
  • Emotional withdrawal
  • Unexplained behavioral changes
  • Evasiveness around caretakers
  • Poor diet or nutrition
  • Unexplained or recurring infections and diseases
  • Significant financial or legal changes (changes to will, power of attorney, etc.)

While this list is by no means exhaustive, being aware of these changes can help you catch the early warning signs. If you believe you are witnessing an instance of abuse or neglect, contact our firm now to learn more about protecting their legal rights.

Types of Nursing Home Abuse

Nursing home abuse can take a number of forms and our firm actively investigates the following:

Neglect

Nursing home neglect describes the failure of a caretaker to perform the level of care that is expected of a person in their position. This can include: failing to properly maintain the senior’s diet, failure to provide proper medical treatment, failure to maintain personal hygiene and failure to mitigate or remove hazardous health and safety concerns.

Emotional Abuse

Insulting, belittling, threatening or any form of remark or insult that manipulates or injures the senior or elder can constitute emotional abuse. This can also include abuse that occurs when a facility or staff member manipulates an elder to its advantage, including if the elder is manipulated to not report the abuse they have suffered.

Physical Abuse

Physical abuse does not only mean striking or other kinds of contact that result in physical harm. Physical abuse in the context of a caretaker or a nursing home can also include force-feeding, overmedicating and more.

Financial Abuse

A caretaker who is responsible for the spending and finances of a senior may also have the opportunity to commit financial abuse. This abuse occurs when the caretaker engages in activities that abuse their position and authority. Some examples of this can include using the elder’s funds for the caretaker’s benefit, exploiting the power of attorney, forcing signatures, such as in the case of a fraudulent will or contract, and others.

Sexual Abuse

Nursing home sexual abuse occurs when someone is either forced or deceived into sexual contact without consent. Sexual abuse can be committed by any person, including staff members, other residents, family members or even strangers.

Free Consultation With a Pensacola Nursing Home and Elder Abuse Lawyer

Call 850-741-7381 or contact our law firm online to schedule a free initial consultation. We promptly return calls and provide courteous legal guidance to assist you after your accident. If you cannot leave the hospital, we can come visit you.

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