When you can no longer adequately care for your elderly loved one, you may have to decide to place them in the care of a nursing home to ensure they get the support they need. However, the last thing you may expect after transferring their care to a home is to learn that your loved one is being abused by the staff. If you have reason to believe your loved one is a victim of nursing home abuse, understanding how to proceed is critical to getting the support necessary. Continue reading to learn how you can report the abuse and hold the negligent parties liable for their actions with the help of an Ouachita Parish, Louisiana personal injury attorney.
What Is Nursing Home Abuse?
Nursing home abuse occurs when a patient or resident at a nursing home is the victim of physical, mental, emotional, sexual, or financial abuse at the hands of the staff and employees who are employed there. Unfortunately, much of this abuse stems from understaffing at facilities. When facilities do not have enough staff, employees are required to care for more patients than they can handle, which can lead to neglect, exhaustion, and frustration. As a result, the innocent residents suffer.
Common forms of nursing home abuse include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Physical strikes (hitting, punching, kicking, slapping)
- Restraining patients, either physically or medically
- Humiliating or tormenting residents
- Verbal abuse
- Rape or molestation
- Neglect (failing to turn residents, failure to bathe residents, failure to get medical treatment for injured individuals)
- Making residents provide their banking information
- Withholding medication
- Withholding mail
What Signs Should I Look For?
Unfortunately, many victims do not report the abuse they endure for several reasons. You may find they are too afraid of retaliation to report their experiences. In other instances, those with cognitive issues like dementia may not remember or be taken seriously when they raise a claim. As such, it’s important to understand the signs of nursing home abuse if you have a loved one in a facility.
Signs of abuse include but are not limited to, unexplained injuries, bruises, or cuts, being fearful of certain employees, dirty clothing or bedding, poor hygiene, rapid weight loss, and a drastic personality change.
If I Suspect My Loved One Is a Victim, What Do I Do?
Discovering your loved one may be a victim of nursing home abuse can be incredibly upsetting. As such, it’s in your best interest to connect with an experienced attorney to explore your legal options. You will likely be able to recover compensation for any damages caused by the facility, like medical bills or pain and suffering. Additionally, you should file a report with the Health Standards Section of the Louisiana Department of Health.
When you need help fighting for justice for your loved one, the team at Breithuapt, DuBos, & Wolleson, LLC is ready to assist. We understand how complex these matters can be, which is why we are here to fight for you and your loved one. Connect with us today to learn how we can represent you in your fight for justice.
