Types of Nursing Home Abuse & Neglect
Nursing home abuse and neglect can take several forms, such as:
Physical Abuse
Physical abuse by care providers includes physical force that may result in bodily injuries, physical pain, or impairments. Evidence of this may include unexplained bruises, lacerations, broken bones, overmedication, and other damage to the body.
Sexual Abuse
Any non-consensual sexual contact constitutes sexual abuse. Signs of sexual abuse include venereal disease and genital infections. If a medical caregiver is sexually involved with your loved one, sexual abuse is likely a problem, and you should immediately contact a nursing home abuse lawyer.
Emotional Abuse
Your elderly loved one places a lot of trust in their caregivers. They rely on them. Sometimes, abusive emotional connections form. Emotional abuse may be verbal or non-verbal acts. Emotional abuse can cause mental anguish, pain, and distress.
Financial Exploitation
If a care provider illegally or improperly uses your loved one’s funds, property, or assets, they may be financially exploiting them. Evidence may include depletion of financial accounts, excessive gifts being given to the caregiver, or missing items from their living areas.
Neglect
Your elderly loved one deserves appropriate care. If their caregiver refuses or fails to fulfill any of their obligations or duties, they may be neglecting your loved one. Neglect can lead to physical injuries as well as mental harm.
What Causes Nursing Home Abuse & Neglect?
Abuse and neglect in nursing homes can happen for many reasons, such as:
- Staffing shortages
- Insufficient medical supplies
- Inadequately trained staff
- Inconsistent reporting
- Failure to meet regulations
- Lack of communication
Injuries from Nursing Home Abuse or Neglect
Abuse and neglect can have severe and even deadly consequences for patients, such as:
Signs of Nursing Home Abuse
It’s critical to recognize the signs of nursing home abuse so you can take action as soon as you notice possible negligence.
Warning Signs of Physical Abuse and Neglect
Look out for indications of physical violence or neglect, such as:
- Unexplained bruises, welts, or cuts
- Significant changes in weight
- Poor hygiene
- Sudden personality shifts
- Depression or withdrawal from daily activities
Indicators of Emotional Abuse
Evidence of abuse may not always be physical. Psychological changes in your loved one can point to emotional harm. If your loved one seems depressed, fearful, or suddenly more prone to angry outbursts, they could be being mistreated at the assisted living facility.
If you notice any of these signs of nursing home abuse in your loved one, contact an attorney immediately.
Can You File a Lawsuit for Nursing Home Abuse?
Nursing homes shouldn’t get away with abusing or neglecting residents. Filing a lawsuit against a negligent nursing home can help you and your family recover compensation for your losses, as well as hold the facility accountable and prevent future harm.
Nursing Home Litigation Process in Pennsylvania
Filing a lawsuit against a negligent nursing home is a complex legal process, but steps generally include:
- Gather Evidence – Collect evidence to support your claim, such as photos, medical records, and incident reports. You can anonymously report suspected abuse by calling the Pennsylvania Department of Aging.
- File a Lawsuit – Your nursing home abuse lawyer will draft and file all the necessary paperwork with your specific claims and arguments.
- Discovery – Your lawyer and the nursing home will exchange evidence and information about the case.
- Negotiation and Settlement – Many cases settle before going to trial. Your attorney will negotiate on your behalf to reach a favorable settlement. Negotiations may occur before a third party called a mediator to resolve out of court.
- Trial – If a settlement can’t be reached, your attorney will take the case to trial, where a judge or jury will reach a verdict.
Possible Compensation in a Pennsylvania Nursing Home Lawsuit
You can pursue damages to cover both the economic and non-economic losses you suffered due to the nursing home’s negligence. Damages can provide compensation for:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Physical impairment
- Current and future medical expenses
- Long-term care costs
Damages for Wrongful Death
If your loved one passed away due to nursing home negligence, you may be able to receive compensation under Pennsylvania’s wrongful death statute. These are damages for things like funeral expenses, loss of the decedent’s companionship, and the emotional pain and suffering of losing a loved one.
How We Get Results in Pennsylvania Nursing Home Litigation
Atlee Hall has been helping the elderly and their loved ones hold negligent nursing homes and care facilities accountable for years. We know how to build strong cases that highlight the harm done to the victim and the financial compensation they deserve as a result.
We prepare every case for the courtroom, but our nursing home lawyers are aggressive negotiators. We know what’s fair and how to secure the maximum settlement you or your elderly loved one deserve.
Our team works with medical experts to define the standard of care and how the nursing home’s conduct deviated from it. Your injury may be due to one caregiver’s negligence or facility-wide neglect, such as a lack of cleanliness that led to infections.