If your loved one suffered sexual abuse as a resident of a nursing home, they might be entitled to compensation. Entrusting your loved one to the care of strangers is never easy, but when they break that trust and sexual abuse your loved one, your family deserves justice.
Seeking medical attention for your loved one, reporting the abuse, and relocating them to another nursing home are all important steps. Consulting an Oklahoma City sexual abuse lawyer from Pintas & Mullins Law Firm is another step you can take to pursue justice.
At Pintas & Mullins Law Firm, we offer free case evaluations, and we work on a contingency fee basis, which means you owe us nothing unless we collect a financial reward for you.
If your loved one experienced sexual abuse while living in a nursing home facility, call a member of our team for your free evaluation.
Types of Sexual Abuse
Sexual assault comprises many types of actions. All types, however, hold one thing in common: They happen against the victim’s will or without their consent. Sexual assault also covers actions that occur when an individual is under the influence of drugs or alcohol, disabled, or below the age of consent in the state where the assault transpired.
The National Institute of Justice lists the following activities as forms of sexual assault when they happen in the above circumstances:
- Intentionally touching the victim’s genitals, breasts, groin, or anus
- Exposing the victim to exhibitionisms
- Exposing the victim to pornography
- Voyeurism
- Publicly displaying images taken of the victim in a “private context” or without their knowledge
These actions may or may not involve the use of actual force, weapons, threats of force, intimidation, coercion, or pressure.
Rape
Although in some states, sexual assault stops short of attempted rape or rape, other states use the terms interchangeably, and still others consider rape to be a form of sexual assault. In a situation of rape, the victim suffers nonconsensual penetration (vaginal, anal, or oral), either by objects or the perpetrator’s body parts. This type of assault involves physical force or threats of physical harm. Alternatively, the victim is considered a minor or was incapacitated at the time of the assault.
Identifying Signs of Sexual Abuse
Your loved one may not share what they experience with you for fear of retaliation by the abuser. Identifying signs of possible sexual abuse are your best way to determine if something is amiss with your loved one’s care. According to The National Consumer Voice for Quality Long-Term Care (The Consumer Voice), possible warning signs of sexual abuse include the following changes in behavior and appearance:
- Appears anxious and fearful, particularly at the sight of certain caregivers.
- Becomes withdrawn and stops participating in favorite activities.
- Displays signs of trauma, such as unexplained bruises around the thighs or breasts.
- Has vaginal or anal bleeding.
- Extreme anger
- Panic attacks
Relocating your loved one to another facility is an unexpected expense. The stress of finding a new, suitable facility leaves you little time to deal with those responsible for the abuse.
A personal injury lawyer from Pintas & Mullins Law Firm can handle the details of your case while you focus on getting your loved one the safety and care they need and deserve.
For a free legal consultation with a Oklahoma City Sexual Abuse Lawyer serving Oklahoma City, call (800) 794-0444
Determining Liability for Your Loved One’s Injuries
The Nursing Home Reform Act is a federal law that protects the rights of nursing home residents. Among these rights are the right to dignity, respect, and freedom. Residents have a right to protection from mental and physical abuse—including sexual abuse.
If your loved one experienced sexual abuse at the hands of their trusted caregivers, a lawyer could help determine liability for their mental and physical harm.
Nursing homes are not inexpensive, and you pay for the care they give to your loved one. So, when the nursing home breaches its duty of care, you might be able to recover the costs of your loved one’s stay.
The negligence experienced by your loved one is inexcusable. If a care provider forced your loved one to watch or participate in sexually explicit material or sexually assaulted them, you have the option of reporting the abuse to law enforcement immediately. Seek medical attention for your loved one, and reach out to an Oklahoma City sexual abuse lawyer from Pintas & Mullins Law Firm.
Oklahoma City Oklahoma City Sexual Abuse Lawyer Near Me (800) 794-0444
How Pintas & Mullins Law Firm Fights for Victims’ Rights
Our legal team fights for the rights of nursing home residents. When a client experiences sexual abuse, we investigate and identify all parties responsible for their harm.
We are unafraid to take on insurance companies who try to settle for less than your loved one deserves. If we are unable to secure the best outcome possible through negotiations, we are ready to go to trial.
No amount of apology on behalf of management can undo the damage done to your loved one. A lawyer from our firm will work to protect you and your family’s best interests.
Learning that your loved one suffered sexual abuse by those entrusted with their care is heartbreaking. Pursuing civil action is your right and can possibly prevent the same abuse from happening to other residents.
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Contact Pintas & Mullins Law Firm Today
The elderly are among the nation’s most vulnerable population. When those entrusted with their care abuse them, they must be held accountable. As personal injury lawyers, we protect victims’ rights by pursuing civil action against those responsible for their harm.
Pintas & Mullins Law Firm represents clients throughout the nation. The statute of limitations is the amount of time allowed for filing a civil lawsuit. These types of laws vary from state-to-state. If you miss the deadline for filing your case, you may be barred from pursuing compensation forever.
Nursing homes provide 24-hour care that an older adult’s loved ones might not be able to provide at home. Allowing strangers to care for your loved one is not easy, but learning that they abused your loved one is devastating.
Our legal team understands that this is a most difficult time for you and your loved one. A civil case involving sexual abuse requires a careful review of the evidence. Documenting your loved one’s injuries, their interactions with staff, your report to administration, and pictures, along with medical reports, are essential forms of evidence.
If your loved one suffered sexual abuse at the hands of caregivers who were overworked, undertrained, or simply cruel, it is important that you fight for justice.
Negligence and abuse against the elderly violate their rights. No one should spend their golden years living in fear of their caregivers. Pursue the compensation your loved one deserves and possibly prevent the same fate from happening to other residents.
Contact Pintas & Mullins Law Firm to see how an Oklahoma City sexual abuse lawyer can help you. Call us today for a free case evaluation. There is no fee unless we win your case.
Call or text (800) 794-0444 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
