If You Suspect Nursing Home Abuse
It is no secret that the American nursing home and long-term care facility industry is experiencing a safety crisis. The number of older and medically vulnerable Americans living in these facilities who are experiencing various forms of abuse is staggering. As a result, if you suspect that a loved one who resides in one of these facilities is being abused in some way, you are likely correct.
What Is Nursing Home Abuse?
There are five primary kinds of abuse that nursing home and long-term care facility residents experience in the U.S. These residents may experience one or more of the following at virtually any time: physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, neglect, and/or exploitation. Identifying which residents are being abused can be challenging, primarily because many signs of abuse can also be attributed to non-abuse-related influences.
How Can You Tell for Sure?
As an experienced nursing home abuse lawyer – including those who practice at Davis & Brusca, LLC – can confirm, there is no one “right” way to go about identifying whether your loved one is being abused or not. Certainly, there are signs that should be treated as red flags. Is your loved one suddenly bruised in ways that aren’t easily explained away? Are they chronically dehydrated, suffering from bedsores, or have their financial accounts been tagged with unusual activity? With that said, red flag symptoms may not actually have resulted from abuse. You know your loved one best. Does something seem truly wrong or “off” or otherwise concerning? If so, it is time to speak with a lawyer.
Connect with an Experienced Attorney to Clarify Your Situation
It is important to connect with a personal injury attorney who practices nursing home law if you suspect that a loved one who is residing in a nursing home is being abused. Even if you are unsure of whether you’re right or wrong and even if you have no idea as to how you can go about clarifying whatever the truth may be. Attorneys who practice this kind of law know what questions to ask and what next steps can and/should be taken under a variety of circumstances.
You are your loved one’s advocate and it is critically important that you speak up about your concerns in a confidential, risk-free setting so that you can receive personalized legal guidance. Once your situation has been objectively and thoroughly evaluated, you will be empowered to either act or refrain from acting in ways that are truly informed.
