Verbal or emotional abuse is a deliberate act of nonphysical, malicious exploitation. This type of abuse may not leave physical bruises or scars, but it can still have devastating effects on an elderly loved one.
If your parent or spouse has told you about verbal or emotional abuse occurring at their nursing home, or if you suspect that this is happening, please do not wait to act. Sometimes, emotional and verbal abuse can become physically violent.
A New York City verbal or emotional abuse lawyer can help you recover compensation if the nursing home is negligent in its duty of care toward your loved one. You may benefit from calling Pintas & Mullins Law Firm today for a free nursing home abuse evaluation with a member of our team.
Verbal or Emotional Abuse is Harmful to Nursing Home Residents
Verbal and emotional abuse in nursing homes is a nationwide problem. According to the National Council on Elder Abuse (NCEA), about half of all surveyed nursing home employees admitted to emotionally and physically abusing, as well as, neglecting nursing home residents.
The harmful effects of emotional abuse on nursing home residents include:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Thoughts of self-harm or suicide
Emotional abuse is sometimes harder to detect than physical or sexual abuse. Perpetrators will wait until there are no witnesses to emotionally or verbally abuse their victim. That is why family members and friends should know the warning signs of elder emotional abuse.
Warning Signs of the Elderly Being Abused Emotionally
Nursing home employees who abuse elderly residents may appear professional, cheerful, and even caring. However, if your loved one is telling you about behavior that is demeaning, hostile, and threatening, please listen. Too often, a nursing home resident’s pleas for help go unnoticed—often with tragic results.
According to the NCEA, the following are often red flags that could signal elder emotional abuse:
- Fearful behavior or unease in front of the abuser
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Trouble sleeping or sleeping too much
- Withdrawing from people and activities that they enjoy
- Changes in appetite
- Comments or behavior that show low self-worth
- Lashing out or being emotionally agitated
If your loved one is in immediate danger, call 9-1-1. When they are safe and being cared for, you may find it worthwhile to speak to the team at Pintas & Mullins Law Firm. We can help you understand your legal options to recover compensation from a negligent nursing home.
For a free legal consultation with an verbal or emotional abuse lawyer serving New York City, call (800) 794-0444
Nursing Home Abuse in New York
The New England Journal of Medicine reported that close to 10 percent of all older Americans surveyed nationally suffered from some form of elder abuse. However, nursing home abuse is an underreported crime. The researchers suggested that while the actual number of abuse cases could be more than 10 percent, they concluded, “An estimated overall prevalence of elder abuse of about 10% appears reasonable.”
According to New York State’s Adult Protective Service bureau, more than 60 percent of referrals are for persons 60 or older, and for every case of elderly abuse reported to authorities, there were 23.5 cases that went unreported, including:
- Verbal abuse: Screaming, shouting, using obscenities, or slurs.
- Emotional abuse: Intentional verbal or nonverbal acts meant to intimidate, harass, or threaten.
- Physical abuse: Hitting, pushing, slapping, or striking with an object.
- Sexual abuse: Unwanted, nonconsensual touching, penetration, or groping of the genitals.
- Financial abuse: Stealing money or other valuables, forging checks, making unauthorized withdrawals or purchases, or coercing financial gifts.
- Neglect: Purposefully withholding food, water, medicine, supervision, hygiene, and other essential life activities and needs.
You may want to consult a nursing home abuse attorney if you suspect that your parent or spouse is suffering from emotional or verbal abuse. They may be able to help you recover compensation from all liable parties.
New York City Verbal or Emotional Abuse Lawyer Near Me (800) 794-0444
Recoverable Damages for Residents Verbally or Emotionally Abused
The damaging effects of being verbally or emotionally abused can exacerbate medical conditions, such as heart disease, high blood pressure, and mental illness. A New York City verbal or emotional abuse lawyer can assess your loved one’s injuries and determine damages.
Each case is unique, but the more common damages sought for abuse in a nursing home include:
- Medical care costs, including hospitalization, rehabilitation, counseling, and other treatment
- Transportation and relocation expenses
- Pain and suffering
- Diminished quality of life
- Loss of companionship
The legal team at Pintas & Mullins Law Firm can take care of the many details necessary in pursuing compensation. This allows you to spend time taking care of your loved one and yourself.
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Risk Factors of Elder Emotional and Verbal Abuse
The National Research Council studied abuse of the elderly and found certain risk factors that can make some nursing home residents more vulnerable to being abused.
These risk factors for elder abuse include:
- Demographics, such as race and income
- Isolation from family and friends
- Physical impairment
- Dementia or some other cognitive impairment
- Needing assistance with daily activity tasks
Please keep in mind that nursing home abuse victims come from all backgrounds and ethnicities, and that abuse in a nursing home can occur in both for-profit and non-profit facilities.
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Holding Nursing Homes Liable for Abuse
As nursing home abuse lawyers, the most tragic element of any form of abuse or neglect in a nursing home is that it is preventable. That is why we help clients recover compensation on a contingency basis only. Clients do not pay any upfront fees, and our attorneys are paid only if we are successful in recovering damages.
Pintas & Mullins Law Firm can:
- Assess your elder abuse case to help you understand your legal options.
- Gather the necessary evidence, testimony, and documentation to show liability and negligence.
- Valuate your damages for both economic and noneconomic loss.
You have a limited time to file a nursing home lawsuit against a liable provider. You may benefit from discussing your case with a nursing home lawyer to preserve your rights.
Contact a Nursing Home Lawyer for a Free Case Evaluation
Your elderly parent or spouse did not choose to be the elderly abuse victim. You can choose to have a nursing home abuse attorney represent you and help you recover compensation and justice. You can call Pintas & Mullins Law Firm for a free case evaluation with a member of our legal team.
Call or text (800) 794-0444 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
