Veteran’s neglect and abuse is a form of elder abuse. It takes advantage of the unique vulnerabilities that veterans have related to past experiences and trauma.
On top of the traditional health complications that seniors face, veterans are also at an increased risk for mental health issues, and military service injuries at any age. Veterans generally require more care, which puts them at an increased chance for elder abuse, according to the Department of Justice’s Elder Justice Initiative.
If your loved one has been the victim of veteran’s neglect or abuse, contact Pintas & Mullins Law Firm today to discuss your legal options for recourse with a member of our team.
Signs of Veteran’s Neglect and Abuse
Neglect and abuse may not be easy to determine in many cases. However, there are signs that you can look for if you are concerned:
- Bruises: A senior having bruises for any reason may be a sign that the nursing home staff is mistreating them.
- Bedsores: Bedsores develop from staying in the same place for too long. If a senior has bedsores and needs help moving, that is a sign that they are being left alone for long periods of time.
- Unexplained injuries: Nursing staff should document any injury suffered under care thoroughly. Veterans with undocumented and untreated injuries could be experiencing neglect and abuse from staff.
- Timid or scared behavior: If your loved one looks to be scared of other people, it could be a sign that staff members are physically or emotionally abusing veterans.
There are many more signs of neglect or abuse against veterans in nursing homes. To ensure your loved one’s caretakers are treating them correctly, it is important to stay vigilant and observe their condition regularly for evidence. That way, you can respond quickly and get your loved one the help they need.
Long-Term Impacts of Veteran’s Neglect
While dealing with veteran’s neglect and abuse, a lot of people focus all their effort on dealing with the immediate impacts of neglect. However, it is important to remember that there are long-term impacts to address, as well. Most people do not realize that some of the problems following veteran’s neglect can have a long-lasting or permanent effect on seniors.
For example, bedsores and bruises can be permanently debilitating. They both occur in the outer layers of the skin but can cause damage in deeper tissue depending on their severity. If this happens, the damage may never fully heal and leave seniors with a permanent disability. This is why it is so important to keep a close eye on seniors in nursing home care.
Another long-term effect is the loss of trust in caregivers. As seniors age, their need for care increases. However, it may not be possible to find a caregiver that they connect with if seniors have experienced abuse or neglect in the past. This can make it difficult to find care for seniors over time, leading to inadequate support and possible neglect from other caregivers and family members that are busy with other aspects of their lives.
For a free legal consultation with a Veterans Neglect and Abuse Lawyer serving Chicago, call (800) 794-0444
Possibly Recoverable Compensation
When you discover neglect or abuse, it is possible to recover compensation from the facility or people responsible. While the type of compensation that you can recover, as well as the amount, depends on each case, they do fall into several categories.
Pain and suffering are likely to recover the most compensation in a case. The amount is up to the discretion of the judge, and is intended to help address the emotional and mental anguish someone endured. Pain and suffering compensation is not mandatory, and may not be awarded in every trial.
Damages are another type of compensation in veteran’s abuse and neglect cases. This can include a broad range of expenses. The caveat is that your lawyer must prove that your loved one would not have those costs if not for the abuse and neglect suffered because of the facility. Legal fees and medical fees are common examples of recoverable damages.
The judge uses punitive damages to punish the responsible party. The judge determines if and how much the defendant must pay in punitive damages. However, it is rarely used. Punitive damages can fluctuate based on the severity of the case. The more serious, damaging, or reprehensible the facility’s actions were, the more likely the judge will assess punitive damages.
To recover compensation in an abuse and neglect case, hiring a lawyer to start collecting evidence as soon as possible may benefit you. This will prevent evidence from disappearing as time passes, which can happen as facilities change and personnel move on to new jobs.
Chicago Veterans Neglect and Abuse Lawyer Near Me (800) 794-0444
Types of Veteran’s Neglect
While in nursing home care, veterans can experience several types of abuse and neglect, according to the National Institute on Aging. This includes:
- Neglected hygiene
- Physical abuse
- Financial abuse
- Social neglect
- Mental abuse
- Emotional abuse
This is not a complete list of abuses a veteran may experience, and your loved one may experience others.
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Contact a Veteran’s Neglect and Abuse Law Firm
No one should experience veteran’s neglect or abuse. If your loved one shows signs, you can take action to stop the abuse, seek compensation, and hold the facility accountable. You can get a free consultation with the Pintas & Mullins Law Firm and discuss your potential legal case.
Call or text (800) 794-0444 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
