If you or someone you love was the victim of emotional abuse while living in a nursing home, you might benefit from hiring a Forest Park emotional abuse lawyer to help with your case. No one deserves abuse, and its impacts can disrupt your life long after the incident.
While no amount of money can compensate for your pain, it may help with the expenses you incur because of the abuse. Some examples of losses you may be able to recover include medical bills, past and future therapy bills, and even compensation for pain and suffering.
To learn more about legal actions you can take, contact Pintas & Mullins Law Firm.
Nursing Home Abuse
Emotional abuse is when someone inflicts emotional or mental pain on a person. This form of abuse can have devastating effects. Not only are abusing incidents harmful in the moment, but emotional abuse can continue to hurt for a lifetime. Some victims of emotional abuse suffer psychological trauma that requires ongoing therapy for years.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), over 1.3 million Americans live in nursing homes across more than 15,000 facilities. Most residents enjoy a positive experience that can be beneficial to their health. Nursing homes can be safe havens for dependent adults who need help with their medical and personal needs.
While many residents are safe from harm in nursing homes, nursing home abuse is more common than you may expect. A Department of Justice study found that at least 1 in 10 American adults over the age of 65 will experience elder abuse. Psychological abuse, another term for emotional abuse, makes up over 20% of these cases, according to the National Center on Elder Abuse.
If someone you love was the victim of emotional abuse while living in a nursing home, you might want to consider taking legal action against their abuser.
Examples of Emotional Abuse
There are many forms of emotional abuse, and you may not be aware of some. Understanding the different kinds of emotional abuse can help you recognize when something is wrong. Examples of emotional abuse include but are not limited to:
- Intimidation
- Name-calling and criticizing
- Putting down
- Screaming or yelling
- Talking to you like a child
- Ignoring or refusing to answer questions or calls for help
- Excessive or extreme punishment
- Lying or withholding information in a harmful way
If you notice anyone acting like this towards a loved one, report it immediately. Emotional abuse can be harmful, even if you are not fully aware that it is happening.
If you have not directly witnessed emotional abuse, but suspect something is wrong, you should keep an eye out for the indicators of abuse. If you notice any abrupt changes in your loved one’s behavior, such as social withdrawal or depression, it could be a signal of abuse. Other warning signs include:
- Frequent complaints, or fear of a particular staff member or person
- Loss of trust
- Sleeplessness
- Loss of appetite
- Sudden change in personality
No one is safe from abuse, and victims can be devastated for a lifetime. With the added stress of ongoing medical bills for therapy, holding the responsible party accountable may be difficult. If you are exploring your legal options, you may benefit from hiring a Forest Park emotional abuse lawyer from Pintas & Mullins Law Firm. That way, we can handle your case while you focus on recovering from the abuse.
How Elderly People Become Victims
Victims of abuse come from all walks of life. Regardless of age, socio-economic status, race, or gender, abuse can negatively affect anyone’s life.
Perpetrators often see elderly people as easy targets. As they age, they may find themselves becoming more forgetful or confused, for example. People may not take them seriously when reporting abuse, especially when they live in a nursing facility. This can be very frustrating for older adults who are victims of emotional abuse. But there are things you can do to help stop abuse and bring justice to an abusive situation.
What You Can Do to Stop Abuse
One way to help prevent abuse is to report any suspicious activity that you notice while living in or visiting a nursing home. If someone does not believe you, then continue to report your suspicions to others in a position of authority. Reporting abuse will not only protect you or your loved one who may be the direct victim but can also prevent future cases of abuse.
After your well-being is secure, you can consider taking legal action. Emotional abuse is a terrible thing for anyone to experience, and life may never be the same again. Victims deserve justice. While no amount of money can make up for the toll emotional abuse takes on victims, some cases may offer compensation. This could be in the form of reimbursement for past medical expenses, or future therapy you need in your recovery.
You may consider contacting a Forest Park emotional abuse lawyer who is willing to discuss your case and assess if there is potentially recoverable compensation available to you and your loved ones.
For a free legal consultation with a Emotional Abuse Lawyer serving Forest Park, call (800) 794-0444
Contact Pintas & Mullins Law Firm Today
If you or a loved one were a victim of abuse, you deserve justice. You can discuss your case with a member of our team to learn more as you decide on your next steps. To find out if you may be eligible for financial compensation, call Pintas & Mullins Law Firm for a free consultation with a team member.
Call or text (800) 794-0444 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
