BECOME INFORMED ABOUT NURSING HOME ABUSE

Placing a loved one in a nursing home is not a choice that’s made lightly. You expect your parents or grandparents to be well cared for and treated with dignity in a nursing home. However, far too often, they find themselves the victims of nursing home abuse.

According to a recent study published in the National Library of Medicine, 44% of nursing home residents report some type of abuse. In many cases, these residents are disabled in some manner. They may suffer from dementia or other physical ailments that require ongoing care.

The idea that these caregivers trusted to aid and assist our loved ones could be abusive at any level is horrifying and unconscionable. At Fieger Law, we don’t tolerate this type of mistreatment, and neither should you. We’ll fight to get you and your family the compensation and respect you deserve.

Examples of nursing home abuse include:

  • Physical abuse
  • Broken bones
  • Black eyes or bruises
  • Cuts
  • Torn or bloody clothing
  • Death
  • Negligence
  • Failure to dispense medications
  • Failure to offer medical attention
  • Failure to assist with hygiene assistance
  • Failure to provide proper care/shelter
  • Sexual Abuse
  • Rape
  • Forced nudity
  • Exposure to pornography
  • Compromising photography
  • Verbal Abuse
  • Humiliation of patient
  • Intimidation of patient
  • Mocking of patient

Warning signs of nursing home abuse include:

  • Visible agitation
  • Display of anxiety
  • Behavioral issues
  • Fear of staff
  • Hesitancy to speak in front of staff
  • Unexplained injuries, wounds or bruises
  • Infections or frequent illnesses
  • Dehydration
  • Sudden weight loss or gain
  • Bed sores
  • Sudden personality shift

If you’re unsure whether your loved one is suffering abuse or not, they are unlikely to tell you. That’s a common effect of abuse. Call our nursing home abuse attorneys, and let us hear your story. We can help determine whether your loved one is in danger and get them away from their abusers as quickly as possible.

Who Is Liable for Nursing Home Abuse?

Depending on the circumstances, multiple parties may be responsible when a nursing home resident experiences harm or neglect. Identifying who is responsible is the first and most crucial step in seeking justice and compensation. Those who may be liable include:

  • Nursing Home Staff: Caregivers, nurses, and aides are often the first line of responsibility. If they engage in physical, emotional, or financial abuse or fail to provide essential care, they may be held liable.
  • Administrators and Supervisors: Nursing home leadership is responsible for hiring qualified staff, providing adequate training, and enforcing policies that prevent abuse and neglect. When they fail to do so, they can be held legally accountable.
  • Nursing Home Facility Owners: Owners of nursing homes must ensure their facilities are safe, well-staffed, and compliant with all state and federal regulations. When poor management leads to unsafe conditions, they may also be held liable.
  • Third-Party Contractors: Many nursing homes outsource services such as food preparation, security, and maintenance. If a third-party contractor’s negligence or misconduct results in harm to a resident, they may be responsible for damages.

How to Prove Nursing Home Abuse Cases

To prove nursing home abuse, it must be clearly demonstrated that negligence or intentional harm occurred. Legal claims must establish four key elements:

  • Duty of Care: Nursing homes and their staff have a legal obligation to provide a safe environment and uphold an appropriate standard of care for residents.
  • Breach of Duty: The victim or their family must show that the nursing home or its staff failed to meet the required standard of care, whether through neglect, abuse, or misconduct.
  • Causation: It must be shown that the breach of duty directly caused harm to the resident, such as physical injuries, emotional trauma, or financial abuse.
  • Damages: Victims and their families must demonstrate the harm suffered resulted in damages such as medical expenses, pain and suffering, or wrongful death.

Compensation for Nursing Home Abuse Victims

Depending on the extent of harm suffered, victims of nursing home abuse and their families may seek various types of compensation, including:

  • Medical Expenses: Any costs associated with treating injuries, illnesses, or complications resulting from abuse or neglect.
  • Pain and Suffering: Compensation for physical pain, emotional distress, and diminished quality of life due to abuse.
  • Punitive Damages: In cases of egregious abuse and neglect, additional damages may be awarded to punish the responsible parties and prevent them from inflicting harm on others in the future.
  • Wrongful Death Claims: If nursing home abuse leads to the death of a resident, surviving family members may pursue compensation for funeral expenses, loss of companionship, emotional pain, and other related damages.

How Fieger Law Can Help

Nursing home abuse cases are always devastating and often complicated, but Fieger Law is here to guide you through the process. Our experienced legal team will:

  • Conduct a thorough investigation into the abuse or neglect.
  • Gather evidence, including medical records, witness statements, and facility reports.
  • Handle all legal paperwork, deadlines, and negotiations with insurance companies.
  • Build a strong case to hold negligent parties accountable and maximize compensation for victims and their families.

At Fieger Law, we have seen the devastation nursing home abuse causes. No family should have to endure the aftermath of such an unthinkable event alone.

Fieger Law: Nationally Recognized Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers—Fighting For You

For over 70 years, the medical malpractice lawyers at Fieger Law have fought and won compensation for hundreds of victims of nursing home abuse. If your family has suffered because of nursing home abuse, Fieger Law can help. Contact us today, and let us investigate your case.