Many elderly Americans choose to live in nursing homes. These facilities offer around-the-clock, personalized medical care in addition to recreational activities and social opportunities. It is easy to see why this can be an excellent option for dependent adults. If your loved one resides in a nursing home, you deserve to trust the staff and facility to take good care of them. Sadly, this is not always the case. Some nursing home residents experience emotional abuse that can cause permanent harm.
If you suspect that your loved one suffered from emotional abuse while living in a nursing home, you may have grounds for legal action. If you would like to understand your legal options, you can contact a Savannah emotional abuse lawyer to learn more. Call Pintas & Mullins Law Firm today to speak with a team member who can help you determine the best course of action for your family during this difficult time.
Types of Emotional Abuse
Emotional abuse is any type of behavior that can cause psychological and mental harm to an individual. There are many different types of emotional abuse. It can take a very subtle form or be strikingly apparent. It is essential to understand the kinds of emotional abuse so that you can recognize if your loved one may have been a victim. Examples of emotional abuse include:
- Name-calling
- Belittlement
- Intimidation
- Yelling or screaming
- Unnecessary blaming
- Neglect
- Purposeful isolation
- Taunting
- Excessive punishment
- Harassment
- Lying or withholding information
While anyone can become a victim of emotional abuse, it is the sad reality that many abusers target elderly adults. Even in residential communities like nursing homes, emotional abuse still occurs more frequently than you may realize.
Nursing Home Abuse
In the United States alone, 1.3 million elderly adults live in nursing homes, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The number of nursing home residents will likely rise with increases in population and life expectancy. Nursing home residents deserve to be treated with dignity and respect, and many families trust facilities and staff members to keep their loved ones safe. Sadly, this is not always the case.
The Department of Justice (DoJ) estimates that at least 10 percent of adults over the age of 65 experience a form of abuse in a given year. The National Center on Elder Abuse (NCEA) found that psychological abuse accounts for 1 in 5 complaints filed against nursing homes.
Victims of emotional abuse can take legal action against perpetrators to pursue justice and compensation. Nursing home neglect, emotional abuse, and other forms of mistreatment are a direct violation of federal law based on the Nursing Home Reform Act of 1987, which created a Resident Bill of Rights.
Perpetrators
Perpetrators of emotional abuse against elderly victims in nursing homes vary in nature. The individuals responsible for the abuse of your loved one could be trusted caregivers, facility staff, or even other residents.
If another person caused the pain and suffering of your loved one, your family could qualify for compensation. Speaking with a Savannah emotional abuse lawyer may be beneficial in understanding the types of compensation available to you and our loved one. Call Pintas & Mullins Law Firm today to learn more about what you can do next.
For a free legal consultation with a Savannah Emotional Abuse Lawyer Lawyer serving nationwide, call (800) 794-0444
The Effects of Emotional Abuse on Victims
Emotional abuse is a very serious matter that can have both short and long-term effects on your loved one. Some victims become anxious, depressed, and can even lose their will to continue living. Sometimes, emotional abuse results in the need for ongoing therapy and medical treatment for psychological effects.
If you notice your loved one showing signs of emotional abuse, you should seek help immediately. Reporting your suspicion of emotional abuse may also help keep other nursing home residents safe.
Some signs of emotional abuse include:
- Change of personality
- Fear of a particular staff member
- Sleeplessness
- Loss of appetite
- Self-destructive behavior
- Unkempt appearance
- Anxiety and depression
Potentially Recoverable Compensation
While no amount of compensation can make up for the trauma that emotional abuse victims experience, the legal system sometimes awards victims with financial compensation for their suffering. Victims deserve justice, and you can take action to recover damages and prevent the future abuse of other victims.
Victims of emotional abuse and their families can recover compensation in several forms. Some nursing home abuse victims can recuperate reimbursement for medical expenses, relocation costs to another nursing home, mental pain and suffering, and more. No two cases are exactly alike, so it could benefit you to discuss your case with a Savannah emotional abuse lawyer.
Savannah Emotional Abuse Lawyer Lawyer Near Me (800) 794-0444
Contact Us Today
If your loved one was the victim of emotional abuse, and another party may have responsibility for causing their suffering, you could have grounds for a legal claim. To learn more about your legal options during this difficult time, contact a Savannah emotional abuse lawyer.
The team at Pintas & Mullins Law Firm can help you navigate the complex legal system and answer any questions you might have. The statute of limitations in Georgia (O.C.G.A § 9-3-33) sets a two-year time limit on personal injury cases, so you might keep in mind the importance of acting in a timely manner to ensure that your case remains valid.
Many victims and families qualify for compensation after their loved one suffered from emotional abuse at their nursing home. Call today for a free case review with a team member.
Call or text (800) 794-0444 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
