As our loved ones age, it’s common for us to consider nursing homes or assisted living facilities as a solution to ensure their well-being. Unfortunately, nursing home abuse or neglect is a growing problem in the United States. Vulnerable adults, including elderly citizens, are suffering from abuse, neglect, abandonment or wrongful death under the care of nursing home staff or professional caretakers.
We aim to provide guidance on when to seek legal help for nursing home abuse or neglect, as well as legal and emotional support for those suffering. We encourage you to seek justice for your loved ones and take the necessary steps to ensure their safety and well-being.
Types of Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect
Nursing home abuse or neglect can take many forms. It’s important to recognize the signs of abuse and neglect to protect the vulnerable adults in your life. Here are the five most common types of nursing home abuse and neglect:
- Physical Abuse: The intentional use of physical force that causes harm to a resident. Signs of physical abuse include bruises, cuts, burns, broken bones, and sprains.
- Emotional Abuse: The infliction of mental anguish, fear, or distress on a resident through verbal or nonverbal actions. Signs of emotional abuse include depression, anxiety, fear, withdrawal, and sudden behavioral changes.
- Sexual Abuse: Any form of non-consensual sexual contact or exploitation. Signs of sexual abuse include unexplained sexually transmitted infections, bruises, bleeding, or other injuries to the genital area.
- Neglect: Failure to provide necessary care, such as food, water, medical attention, and hygiene, to a resident. Signs of neglect include malnutrition, dehydration, bedsores, poor hygiene, and unsanitary living conditions.
- Abandonment: The failure to provide the goods and services to provide care to a vulnerable adult as required by law, regulations, policies and procedures.
Signs of Nursing Home Abuse or Neglect
It’s crucial to be aware of the signs of nursing home abuse or neglect to protect vulnerable adults from further harm. Here are some common signs of abuse and neglect:
- Physical Signs: Bruises, cuts, burns, broken bones, or sprains.
- Emotional Signs: Depression, anxiety, fear, withdrawal, sudden behavioral changes, and insomnia.
- Behavioral Signs: Aggression, isolation, lack of communication, or refusal to participate in activities.
- Environmental Signs: Unsanitary living conditions, poor hygiene, lack of adequate food or water, and insufficient medical care.
When to Seek Legal Help
If you suspect that your loved one is a victim of nursing home abuse or neglect, it’s essential to take action. Here are the steps you can take to seek legal help:
- Reporting the Abuse: Report the abuse or neglect to the nursing home administration and state regulatory agencies.
- Contacting a Nursing Home Attorney: Contact a personal injury attorney experienced in nursing home abuse or neglect cases to review your case.
- Gathering Evidence: Collect any evidence that may support your claim, such as medical records, photographs, or witness statements. These are usually obtained as discovery progresses.
- Filing a Lawsuit: Have your nursing home lawyer file a lawsuit against the nursing home to pursue compensation for damages.
- Pursuing Compensation: Seek compensation for violation of Washington’s Vulnerable adult Abuse law for abuse, neglect and abandonment, medical bills, pain and suffering, emotional distress, damages to close family and other damages allowed by law.
Serving Washington Nursing Home Residents with Care and Compassion
Nursing home abuse or neglect is a heartbreaking reality that affects vulnerable adults across the United States. If you suspect that your loved one is a victim of nursing home abuse or neglect, we encourage you to take action and seek legal help from Ron Meyers & Associates PLLC. Our attorneys can hold the nursing home accountable for their actions and ensure the safety and well-being of your loved ones.
Remember, finding legal help for nursing home abuse or neglect is crucial. Don’t hesitate to schedule a consultation to discuss your case. Together, we can help protect our most vulnerable adults from nursing home abuse, neglect and abandonment.
