It may be daunting to discover that your family member is a victim of emotional or verbal abuse at a nursing home. Some victims of emotional abuse may not even realize that someone is abusing them. They might also not know how to navigate the legal process of fighting for their rights.
If your older adult loved one experienced any form of abuse while in a nursing home, you do not have to be alone in your case. You may be able to recover financial compensation for the trauma and emotional injuries suffered by your loved one. At Pintas & Mullins Law Firm, we can help you seek justice if you face such a predicament.
Contact our Philadelphia verbal or emotional abuse lawyer at (800) 842-6336 to learn how we can help.
How Verbal or Emotional Abuse Changes the Victim’s Life
Many of us cannot imagine the pain, fear, or trauma caused by abuse. Unfortunately, many forms of verbal and emotional abuse can have a serious impact on the health and wellbeing of anyone, including an older adult.
When your loved one is under the care of a nursing home, the staff should be expected to create and maintain safe conditions for residents. A failure to do so may implicate the nursing home facility in a case of negligence.
Perpetrators who make others suffer emotional or verbal abuse often do so in various ways, including:
- Humiliation tactics, which can make residents of nursing homes feel bad and opt to hide their experiences
- Yelling, shouting, shaming, or screaming at the residents
- Threatening behavior, for example, hitting the table or destroying objects that the residents hold dear
- Controlling tactics, such as denying the residents meals to force them to behave in a certain way
- Insulting or mocking words that belittle and kills the victim’s self-esteem
- Trivializing significant concerns and treating residents like they do not know better
- Using demeaning comments when talking about the victims with other residents or staff members
Statements or comments that shame, control, belittle, or deny care to your loved one may be abusive. While it can be easy to underestimate the effect of words, the person on the receiving end of abuse can suffer severe psychological damages. Ensuring safe conditions for all residents is a responsibility of the nursing home, both in terms of its physical environment and emotional environment.
Abuse can be stopped. According to the Older Adults Protective Services Act (OAPSA), there are regulatory agencies available where you can report any suspected abuse case involving older adults. A lawyer can help you with the legal process involved.
Signs of Verbal or Emotional Abuse
Many people may not disclose their abuse or abuser voluntarily; however, there are many signs of emotional abuse that can signal an underlying issue. These include:
- Loss of interest in the activities and hobbies your loved one previously enjoyed
- Unexplained change in behavior, for example, loss of appetite, substance abuse, or failure to maintain proper hygiene
- Unusual dullness or isolation from family members and other residents
- Unexplained depression and anxiety
- Excessive anger, stress, or hostility
- Low self-esteem
- Difficulty sleeping
If you notice any of the above signs or other signs that may cause concern, contact your doctor, law enforcement officer, or the Pennsylvania Department of Aging (PDA).
Should you seek to pursue a claim, it is important to speak to a lawyer to seek compensation for the damages suffered by your loved one. If you wish to file a personal injury claim, you should be aware of filing deadlines according to Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes Annotated (CSA) §5524. In Pennsylvania, you only have two years from the date of the incident to file your claim.
Our Philadelphia verbal or emotional abuse lawyer can ensure you meet all the legal timelines necessary to protect your case.
For a free legal consultation with a Philadelphia Verbal or Emotional Abuse Lawyer serving Philadelphia, call (800) 794-0444
The Nursing Home’s Liability for Your Loved One’s Situation
Most perpetrators of verbal and emotional abuse in nursing homes are the staff. However, other residents or visitors can also perpetuate the abuse.
A nursing home becomes liable if they fail to detect and stop the abuse. Some of the signs of negligence can include:
- Poor staff training
- Impatience and frustration
- Caregiver burnout
- Under-staffing
- Failure to research employee history before hiring
Philadelphia Philadelphia Verbal or Emotional Abuse Lawyer Near Me (800) 794-0444
Support a Philadelphia Verbal or Emotional Abuse Lawyer Can Offer
If you consider taking the necessary steps to fight for your loved one’s rights, a lawyer can be beside you throughout your case. A lawyer can help you with all stages of filing a claim, including:
- Investigating evidence of your loved one’s situation
- Interviewing witnesses
- Interviewing staff members of the facility
- Reviewing vital documents to confirm whether the nursing home adheres to state and federal regulations
- Obtaining medical records to prove your claim
- Researching the applicable federal and state laws
- Identifying all at-fault parties
- Negotiating for a fair settlement with the nursing home
- Filing a lawsuit and defending your claim if necessary
Any lawsuit may involve complexities. However, with a legal team on your side, you may be able to demonstrate liability and fight to make the nursing home pay for psychological injuries and other damages.
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Contact Pintas & Mullins Law Firm to Learn Your Legal Options
Verbal abuse can make an older adult suffer long-term psychological injuries. If you suspect your older adult family member suffered emotional abuse, reach out to our Philadelphia verbal or emotional abuse lawyer for advice on how to proceed. We work on contingency fees, meaning that we only get paid after the settlement of your case. We do not ask for any up-front fees to get started.
We can help you seek compensation for all damages, including medical expenses, pain, suffering, and punitive damages. Call Pintas & Mullins Law Firm at (800) 842-6336 to learn about your legal options.
Call or text (800) 794-0444 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form