It is hard to imagine that your loved one would be enduring some form of abuse in a nursing home. After all, it is reasonable to think that no one could possibly abuse the trust you have in them to take care of your loved one.
Unfortunately, nursing home residents suffer abuse and neglect more often than we would like to imagine. The abuse could be physical, emotional, or even financial. All too often, the perpetrators are people who have been trusted to keep them safe. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), nursing home residents could be easy targets for emotional and verbal abuse as some of them suffer cognitive impairment and are dependent on their caretakers.
Emotional abuse is the most difficult type of abuse to notice in a nursing home because a nursing home facility would do everything in its power to hide such incidents and protect its reputation. There are usually very few physical symptoms until it is too late. Additionally, some residents may be disabled or unable to communicate normally with loved ones, making it hard to tell the difference between certain forms of self-neglect inherent to old age and actual maltreatment.
At Pintas & Mullins Law Firm, we are ready to stand up to those who abuse elders in nursing homes. We are committed to making them accountable for the harm they cause. Contact us at (800) 842-6336 to schedule a free consultation with a Nashville verbal or emotional abuse lawyer.
Emotional and Verbal Abuse in Nursing Homes
Elderly emotional abuse occurs when an elderly person suffers from emotional pain, anguish, and distress at the hands of a caretaker. This form of abuse is also referred to as mental or psychological abuse. Often, emotional abuse is accompanied by physical abuse.
According to the National Center on Elder Abuse (NCEA), approximately half of nursing home employees commit some form of emotional and physical abuse, as well as neglect nursing home residents.
This kind of abuse is perpetrated on victims to make them feel inferior in some way. This results in a constant state of mental stress on the part of the victim. In most situations, the abuser may also be struggling with their own feelings of worthlessness or stress, and they take any opportunity that would make them feel powerful. Elder psychological abuse may include:
- Insults
- Scolding
- Harassment
- Name-calling
- Threats
- Isolation
When you think of emotional abuse, the main thing to remember is that the results of the abuse are usually a negative emotion being displayed by the victim. It could be intense crying or anger, perhaps as a result of yelling or name-calling. This would amount to mental abuse. In most situations, you will find the abuser using manipulative stunts for the victim to comply with their wishes.
Neglect
This is a common form of mental abuse wherein a caregiver fails in their responsibilities to provide for the basic needs of the resident. The reason why anyone takes their loved one to a nursing home is for them to be cared for by being provided with basic needs as well as being assisted with their activities of daily living. If the caregiver fails to carry their duties, residents can suffer a serious emotional toll. These forms of mental abuse can have irreparable effects on someone, whether or not they understand what is going on.
The harmful effects of mental abuse on nursing home residents include but are not limited to:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Suicidal thoughts
Signs Your Loved One Is Enduring Verbal and Emotional Abuse
The following signs can help you pinpoint the possibility of emotional abuse so that you can rescue your loved one from further injuries:
- Withdrawal from activities they once enjoyed
- Depression that is not typical of your loved one
- Fearful behavior in the presence of the caregiver
- Changes in appetite or inexplicable weight loss
- Refusal to talk about things happening in their lives
- Unusual tension and anxiety
- Your loved one telling you of experiences that could amount to mental abuse
For a free legal consultation with a Nashville Verbal or Emotional Abuse Lawyer serving Nashville, call (800) 794-0444
Hold the Abusers Responsible
Our legal team will help your loved one receive compensation for the harm suffered as a result of emotional and mental abuse. We will do this by dealing with the rigorous legal procedure of filing a claim.
We can help in the following ways:
- Assess your case: We will start by evaluating your case to establish if you may have legal recourse against the at-fault parties. We will then help you understand your legal options.
- Gathering information: Our legal team will gather the necessary evidence, testimony, and documentation to show liability and negligence. Some of the information may include medical records, your loved one’s statements regarding the abuse, and witness statements.
- Evaluate the value of your case: Our lawyers will work with experts in other professions to assign a monetary value to your damages for both economic and non-economic losses.
- File the case: Our legal team will file a claim in court while notifying the defendants with formal documentation regarding the same.
- Negotiate a settlement: We will negotiate a settlement with the nursing home and their insurers. If we reach a reasonable settlement, your case will be dismissed, and you and your loved one will receive a financial payout to cover for the injuries and damages suffered.
- Commence trial: If we cannot reach a settlement with the negligent parties, our lawyers will not hesitate to escalate the issue to trial. The jury will then make a decision on the amount of compensation to be awarded to you and your loved one.
Some of the financial damages you and your loved may recover include:
- Medical care costs both for ongoing treatment and future treatment related to the injuries
- Transportation and relocation expenses
- Pain and suffering
- Diminished quality of life
- Loss of companionship
Nashville Nashville Verbal or Emotional Abuse Lawyer Near Me (800) 794-0444
Reach Out to Pintas & Mullins Law Firm
It is our mission to pursue justice on behalf of your loved one. Call Pintas & Mullins Law Firm at (800) 842-6336 for a free consultation with a Nashville verbal or emotional abuse lawyer.
Call or text (800) 794-0444 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
