by Allan Gregory
If you have a loved one living in a nursing home, or if you yourself are in an assisted living facility or nursing home environment, you may be wondering what to do if you suspect abuse. Mistreatment in nursing homes is increasingly common, and when an individual is being abused, their abuser and those who allowed the abuse to continue should be held accountable.
Working with a Louisville nursing home abuse lawyer is a good first step in accomplishing this goal and obtaining maximum compensation for the physical, psychological, and financial suffering your family member has endured. Read on to learn more about the most common examples of nursing home abuse and who can be found liable in nursing home abuse lawsuits.
Types of Nursing Home Abuse
There are numerous ways that nursing home abuse can occur. The most commonly thought of type of nursing home abuse is physical abuse. Symptoms of physical abuse you can look out for could include unexplained bruising or welts, broken bones, burns, social isolation, fear, and becoming emotionally withdrawn. But physical abuse isn’t the only way a nursing home resident can be abused. Other common types of abuse include the following:
- Emotional abuse
- Psychological abuse
- Sexual abuse
- Neglect
- Financial abuse
Other signs of abuse you should be aware of include missing money, changes to important legal documents without your knowledge, depression, anxiety, self-harm, weight loss or gain, bed sores, lack of proper hygiene, and other unexplained changes in physical appearance or personality.
Keep in mind that if your relative has been abused, they may be reluctant to talk about the abuse, whether it be due to fear of their abuse or even shame at having to admit what they’ve been through. These and other responses are completely natural, but your top priority should always be that they become safe from harm as soon as you suspect abuse.
Liability in Elder Abuse Claims
Though times may seem grim, the good news is that now your family member should be safe from being exposed to further abuse and can bring their abuser to justice. You may be surprised to learn that your loved one’s abuser, their supervisors, those who run the nursing home, and even the nursing home facility itself could be compelled to compensate your relative for the abuse they have endured.
Anyone who committed or facilitated the abuse can be found liable in a nursing home abuse lawsuit. Recoverable damages could include the costs of changing nursing homes, emotional distress, additional medical expenses and the costs of mental health counseling, property damage, stolen money, pain and suffering, and many other financial and non-financial losses.
Contact a Qualified Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer
If you are interested in learning more about how you can file a lawsuit for nursing home abuse, consider reaching out to an experienced nursing home abuse attorney. Your lawyer can take a look at the details of your case to determine whether filing a claim is appropriate and who should be named as the culpable party.
About the Author
Allan Gregory is an author, designer, engineer, artist, playwright, and comedy writer. His work across multiple disciplines broadly addresses the narratives of human experience. As a playwright, Allan has had his pieces performed at multiple playhouses. As an artist and illustrator, he has had his art exhibited at multiple galleries. His work has appeared on a number of online and offline outlets.
