If your loved one is a resident at a nursing home, it is more than likely that you did your best to choose the best nursing home for them. It is disconcerting to imagine that, despite the efforts, your loved one may not be receiving the medical care and personal attention they need.
As tragic as it may seem, nursing home abuse happens more frequently than most would imagine. According to the National Center on Elder Abuse (NCEA), at least a third of nursing homes in the US were reported to have violated federal care standards every year.
Behind the seemingly safe doors of nursing home facilities lies the hidden shame of elder abuse. These crimes, including abuse and neglect, are committed to our most vulnerable and dependent older adults, some of whom battle with debilitating conditions such as Parkinson’s, dementia, Alzheimer’s, and physical disabilities.
At Pintas & Mullins Law Firm, our hearts go out to these victims who suffer indignities in nursing homes but cannot reach out for help or defend themselves.
If you suspect physical abuse or neglect in a nursing home where your loved one is a resident, hire a Nashville physical abuse lawyer to help you protect your loved one’s rights. Contact us today at (800) 842-6336 for a free case evaluation.
Physical Abuse in Nursing Homes
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), physical abuse is the use of physical force that may result in bodily harm, injury, pain, or impairment to the victim. This can include battery, assault, or unnecessary use of restraints. Victims may suffer serious injuries that may require months to recover or even cause death. Common forms of physical abuse may include but are not limited to:
- Scratches
- Bites
- Burns
- Being pushed, hit, or slapped
- Inappropriate use of restraints
Indicators of Elder Physical Abuse in Nursing Homes
Here are some of the signs you can look out for if you suspect that your loved one is suffering physical abuse in a nursing home:
Physical Signs
- Burns from cigarettes, scalding water, and hot appliances
- Internal injuries, including malfunctioning organs, internal bleeding, or internal pain
- Hair or tooth loss
- Broken, fractured, or dislocated bones
Behavioral Signs
- Delay in seeking medical care: When an elderly resident does not seek medical care immediately, they may have been the victim of physical abuse, and they feel intimidated by the fact that the abuser may retaliate.
- Perpetual injuries: If your loved one has had a history of similar injuries over and over again, it is a red flag to take note of.
- Unexplained injuries: Caregivers have a responsibility to monitor residents and offer them support every time they need it. This explains why a caregiver should at least know how a resident suffered injuries. If the caregiver nor your loved one can account for the injuries, it is likely that your loved one may be enduring some form of physical abuse, but they are too scared to say it.
- Tense relationship: If your loved one exhibits some strange or otherwise tense behavior towards the caregiver, that could be an indication of a problem.
- Withdrawal from typical activities: If your loved one seems withdrawn from activities that they once enjoyed, they may be suffering some form of trauma from abuse. It is important to have open communication in a safe place and have them talk to you about the things that might be happening in the nursing home.
For a free legal consultation with a Nashville Physical Abuse Lawyer serving Nashville, call (800) 842-6336
We Can Help You Establish the Cause of Abuse
There are many reasons why nursing home abuse is prevalent. These causes depend largely on the nursing home, the quality of staff, and the management at large. Some of the top reasons why nursing home abuse occurs include:
Understaffed Workforce
A nursing home is required to provide the highest standard of care to its residents. Unfortunately, that might not be the case if it does not have the staff to fulfill its duties. The moment a nursing home faces a staff shortage, the facility may drop some responsibilities or neglect some duties. Even worse, understaffing may create a hostile and stressful environment that may lead them to take their frustration out to their residents. This often results in physical or verbal abuse.
Undertrained Staff
Nursing homes have a duty to employ and train qualified staff. Failing in this regard means that the staff will not have the capacity to perform their duties properly. Improper treatments arising from lack of training may amount to abuse.
Opportunity
Whenever a staff member is alone with a resident, it is a chance for them to abuse the resident.
A nursing home is expected to have policies and rules that handle cases of abuse. If a nursing home does not punish abusers, they are encouraged to commit abuse without any fear of repercussion.
Uncovering these facts can be difficult to do alone. The good news is that our legal team will work hard to investigate your loved one’s case, uncover the facts, and address all the legal issues as you focus on taking care of your loved one.
Nashville Nashville Physical Abuse Lawyer Near Me (800) 842-6336
Our Legal Team Will Pursue Damages on Your Loved One’s Behalf
Whatever the cause of nursing home abuse it was, it might not matter so much to you as your wish that it stops and that the nursing home is held responsible for the actions of the staff.
In such a case, a Nashville physical abuse lawyer can help you defend the rights of your loved one and pursue compensation for the damages that you and your loved one may have suffered. Our legal team may help you recover damages such as:
- Medical care expenses, such as hospitalization bills, surgery costs, cost of therapies, and medications
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment of life
You may also recover punitive damages in cases where the acts exceeded ordinary negligence. If the staff maliciously or deliberately abused your loved one, the court may award you and your loved one punitive damages.
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Pintas & Mullins Law Firm Can Help You Seek Justice
If your loved one suffered physical abuse at a nursing home, contact Pintas & Mullins Law Firm. A Nashville physical abuse lawyer will help you develop a strong case against the nursing home. Call us at (800) 842-6336 for a free case review.
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