When to File a Nursing Home Abuse Claim

Talking with a nursing home neglect attorney does not have to be costly. In fact, some of these lawyers will handle your case on contingency. This means that the lawyers don't get paid unless you win your lawsuit. It also means that you shouldn't hesitate to contact such a lawyer if you or a loved one has been the victim of abuse. There are a few varying forms of abuse, but they all include a violation of trust on the part of the nursing home staff. Some kinds are more noticeable than other kinds.

The simplest types of senior neglect to spot are usually the physical types. These may include assault, wrongful use of medicine, overmedication or sexual abuse. The signs are precisely what you'd most likely expect. Search for bruises, abrasions and cuts. Some very horrible individuals have been known to burn elders with cigarettes or find other ways to torture them to force the seniors to agree with demands. None of these wounds should be considered normal and all of them should be regarded with suspicion. Always have your eye out for the signs of physical abuse against an elder.

On the other hand, mental abuse can be much more difficult to detect. Many nursing home mistreatment claims involve numerous threats made by nursing home staff members and occasionally, severe verbal abuse. You should realize that this puts an elderly individual in a very difficult situation. While they're likely not strong enough to defend themselves against someone in their prime, they're also adults and being vulnerable is a blow to their dignity. This may be expressed as depression or a complete withdrawal from social activities. This doesn't have to be the case and there is no reason that anyone, young or old, should have to suffer being abused or degraded verbally.

Nursing home negligence sometimes means that your loved one isn't treated at all. The elder patient could be left in bed or sitting in a wheelchair being ignored for long periods of time. This is a form of abuse, even if it doesn't involve hitting or yelling. You should be aware of these signs of neglect, including poor hygiene. For example, the elderly individuals finger and toenails may be too long and unkempt, they might have extreme body odor, due to lack of bathing, and, in severe cases, diapers may not be changed as regularly as needed. No one needs to suffer nursing home mistreatment. If you have, you may be able to get compensation for you and for your loved one.