If your loved one is showing signs that you believe could be an indication of emotional abuse, or you saw possible indications of abuse that you did not recognize, then you may want to call a Phoenix emotional abuse lawyer. You can reach our team at Pintas & Mullins Law Firm today for a free consultation.
Ensure Your Loved One’s Safety
If you suspect that your loved one is the victim of emotional abuse or another form of mistreatment in a nursing home, then you likely want to take the necessary action to ensure that they are safe. Some of the first steps you may take are:
- Calling 9-1-1 to alert local law enforcement of your suspicions.
- Calling any local authority that specializes in the protection of the elderly.
- Moving your loved one into a new nursing home or temporary location that you believe to be safe or having a loved one stay with you until this is possible.
You may not be able to sleep well so long as your loved one is in danger, or you suspect that they could be in danger, and following the steps above may be the only ways to ensure that your loved one is protected.
Authorities may:
- Listen to your suspicions about your loved one being mistreated.
- Conduct further investigation into your allegations.
- Provide feedback on whether they believe abuse occurred, and perhaps proceed with criminal charges if your suspicion of mistreatment is correct.
Regardless of the actions of the authorities, you may be able to pursue justice in civil court if you continue to believe that one or more people in a nursing home setting mistreated your loved one.
Why You May Suspect Emotional Abuse
Despite the standard of care owed to your loved one, there may be multiple warning signs that they are being emotionally abused or mistreated in another way in the nursing home where they live. Some of the possible signs that your loved one endured emotional abuse includes:
- A steady withdrawing from their normal routine, especially activities that they typically enjoy.
- A loss of apparent joy or excitement in their interactions with you and others.
- Other signs that they may be depressed, such as declining to visit with you.
- Lashing out in ways that are not characteristic of them, especially if outbursts are violent.
- A general lack of self-grooming and care.
- Signs of fear and anxiety, such as indications that they are not sleeping well.
The most obvious way to know that your loved one is a victim of emotional abuse is to ask them about your suspicions, or to act on any disclosure of mistreatment that they make to you.
Additional Forms of Mistreatment in a Nursing Home
In addition to emotional abuse, the National Institute on Aging alludes to other forms of mistreatment known to befall the elderly. They include:
- Financial exploitation
- Physical abuse
- Sexual abuse
- Neglect
There are specific signs to each of these forms of abuse. In order to look out for such signs, you may:
- Monitor your loved one’s bank accounts and valuables.
- Monitor their physical condition for signs of physical or sexual abuse.
- Take note of their hygiene, overall health, and skin during each visit, as signs of neglect may include bedsores, declining health, and a generally unkempt appearance.
If you suspect mistreatment of your loved one, you may want to call the police. After you ensure that your loved one is safe, you can call our team at Pintas & Mullins Law Firm for help determining whether you have grounds for a lawsuit.
Determining Who Is Responsible for Nursing Home Mistreatment
Should you decide to bring legal action on behalf of your loved one, one of the first steps will be to name the defendants in the case. When mistreatment occurs in a nursing home, some possible defendants may include:
- One or more individual staffers who perpetrated the mistreatment.
- One or more individual residents who mistreated your loved one.
- Administrators in charge of ensuring the safety of residents such as your loved one.
- The owners of the nursing home.
A Phoenix emotional abuse lawyer can help you determine who may be liable for your loved one’s mistreatment. They can then proceed further with your case by:
- Filing your lawsuit.
- Collecting additional evidence that suggests your loved one suffered from abuse, neglect, or exploitation.
- Consulting experts in the field of elder abuse to strengthen your case.
- Obtaining testimony from eyewitnesses to mistreatment of your loved one.
- Explaining to you any settlement offers that arise.
- If your case goes to trial, arguing your case to a judge and jury.
- Protecting your loved one’s rights throughout the legal process.
Your lawyer’s goals will be:
- To hold those responsible for your loved one’s mistreatment accountable for their actions.
- To obtain any awards that your loved one is entitled to.
- To handle all legal aspects of your loved one’s case.
A revelation of elder abuse can be traumatic for not only the victim, but also those who care for them. A Phoenix emotional abuse lawyer can take on the legal aspects of seeking justice so that your family can focus on finding your loved one a safe place to live and attending to them as they heal from this experience.
For a free legal consultation with a Emotional Abuse Lawyer serving Phoenix, call (800) 794-0444
Call Our Team at Pintas & Mullins Law Firm Today
Emotional abuse is unacceptable, especially if the victim is elderly. If your loved one suffered mistreatment emotionally, or in another form, you may have reason to bring a lawsuit. Call our team at Pintas & Mullins Law Firm today for a free consultation.
Call or text (800) 794-0444 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
