If you decide to place your elder loved one in a nursing home, you entrust the facility and staff with their overall health and wellbeing. For some families, taking this step can prove beneficial. Nursing homes provide a full range of health services and medical care at any time of the day for residents who can no longer live independently.
Unfortunately, If you live in a nursing home, you may not always receive proper care. In severe cases, you may experience neglect or physical abuse. If you or a loved one suffered as the victim of physical abuse while residing in a nursing home, a Chicago physical abuse lawyer may be able to help you build a personal injury claim or lawsuit. Contact Pintas & Mullins Law Firm to schedule a free consultation.
Laws Regulating Nursing Homes
Nursing homes provide the care families need for elderly loved ones, and they have a responsibility to uphold their promise to keep their residents safe and well. They offer assistance with dressing, bathing, and daily personal care, as well as medication administration, physical therapy, and nutritional meals. While life in nursing homes may provide adequate conditions for residents, their elderly population still lives at risk for abuse. According to the National Center on Elder Abuse, more than half of interviewed caretakers confessed that they physically abused or neglected a resident.
Laws regulating nursing homes that receive Medicaid and Medicare, such as the Nursing Home Reform Act of 1987, mandate that facilities follow certain standards and protocols to maintain residents’ quality of life, while ensuring the customized medical attention they need. This law requires nursing facilities to maintain the highest practicable physical wellbeing of each resident.
If you think your elderly loved one suffered abuse of any kind while living in a nursing home, or if someone you love may have experienced physical abuse in a skilled nursing facility, you may have legal options. Contact Pintas & Mullins Law Firm to discuss your case with a Chicago physical abuse lawyer and learn more about potentially recoverable compensation.
Physical Abuse in Nursing Homes
Nursing home residents may live in a physical or mental state that increases their susceptibility to abuse. Mistreatment can come in different forms, including neglect, mental abuse, and physical abuse. Physical abuse occurs when a caregiver inflicts intentional harm on a resident. Effects can range from a minor injury or discomfort to a severe situation that can lead to serious and life-threatening injuries. In severe cases, the results of physical abuse may even prove fatal.
Perpetrators of physical abuse in nursing homes do not necessarily involve facility staff members. Unknown visitors, visiting family members of a resident, or other nursing home residents may see an opportunity to physically abuse a resident. The nursing home administration ultimately has the responsibility to supervise all residents and ensure their general safety as well as their health and quality of life. The repercussions of physical abuse can last long after the abuse took place and can affect their lives in several ways, including psychologically.
Some warning signs of physical abuse can include:
- Physical marks, bruises, or abrasions
- Unexplained injuries
- Recurring injuries
- Emotional changes
Physical abuse classifies as a direct violation of the laws and regulations surrounding nursing homes. If you or a loved one experienced physical abuse in any form while living in a nursing home or nursing facility, you may benefit from understanding your legal options, especially since you may qualify for financial compensation for the losses you and your family suffered. The team of Chicago physical abuse lawyers with Pintas & Mullins Law Firm may help guide you through your questions. Call us today to start your free case evaluation.
Risk Factors
Any resident may suffer as the victim of physical abuse in a nursing home, but certain factors may increase their risk. Some of these factors involve:
- Dementia or impaired mental capacity
- Impaired physical health
- Lower income or poverty
- No spouse, partner, or low social support
Regardless of whether or not these risk factors pertain to your elderly loved one, if you believe they experienced physical abuse in a nursing home, you may have eligibility for compensation.
For a free legal consultation with a Physical Abuse Lawyer serving Chicago, call (800) 794-0444
Potentially Recoverable Compensation
Every case of physical abuse in a nursing home differs, but potentially recoverable financial compensation may extend to different types of losses the victims experienced. If your loved one suffered physical abuse in a nursing home, types of compensation may include:
- Financial compensation for medical expenses related to physical abuse
- Pain and suffering that may result from physical abuse
In the unfortunate event of wrongful death, your lawyer may suggest bringing a wrongful death suit as well as a personal injury suit. No amount of money can replace a loved one, and we extend our condolences if this happened to your family. You may have the ability to provide justice for your elder loved one and recover costs related to their funeral as well.
Chicago Physical Abuse Lawyer Near Me (800) 794-0444
Contact a Chicago Physical Abuse Lawyer Today
Nursing homes that allow physical abuse to occur place residents directly in harm’s way, and we may help you hold a facility accountable if this happened to your loved one.
Your elderly loved one deserves to receive adequate care. Discuss your case with a legal expert to learn more about your options and determine if you may qualify for financial compensation. A Chicago physical abuse lawyer may help your case. Contact Pintas & Mullins Law Firm for your free consultation.
Call or text (800) 794-0444 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
