When a loved one is placed under the care of a nursing home facility, no one expects them to be abused. Unfortunately, some centers violate the rights of residents by subjecting them to physical and emotional abuse. Some of the signs of abuse are poor hygiene, weight loss, withdrawal, changes in sleeping patterns, and anxiety, among others.
When you discover that a loved one has been abused or neglected, moving them from the facility is not enough justice. Pursuing legal action protects others from similar predicaments and also provides monetary restitution for your loved one’s trauma. Hiring a La Porte personal injury lawyer eases the litigation process so you can be there for your loved one to offer emotional support.
Examples of Nursing Home Abuse Cases
A study by the Texas Health Care Association shows that nursing home abuse cases have been on a steady rise in recent times. Abuse in nursing homes takes many forms. Some of the most common examples are:
Sexual Abuse
Elderly women and men can be sexually abused or victimized mainly because they cannot defend themselves. Most of these cases go unreported because some patients have dementia and have challenges that inhibit proper communication. Others are threatened, too. Sexual abuse is not just penetrative action, such as rape. It is any unconsented touch of private areas, voyeurism, exposure to pornography, or indecent acts. Because these acts take a toll on victims, our compassionate nursing home abuse attorneys work with mental health experts to provide ongoing support to sexual abuse survivors.
Physical Assault
A loved one may also be subjected to physical torture. This includes being kicked, shoved, hit, slapped, pushed, pinched, or grabbed when moving from one place to another. These forms of abuse can result in severe harm and life-threatening injuries such as internal organ damage, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, burns, and fractures. An independent medical practitioner can be retained to help discover and prove injuries stemming from assault.
Financial Exploitation
In many cases, nursing home facilities have access to residents’ financial information. Without proper accountability, they can exploit their vulnerability and commit crimes such as identity theft and theft of money. A knowledgeable attorney familiar with such cases can compile financial reports with the assistance of expert witnesses to prove exploitation.
Neglect
Sometimes, a resident’s basic needs are neglected. For example, they can be denied food, water, and safe shelter. They are also entitled to regular outdoor exercise, which can be denied for flimsy reasons. Nursing home owners also have a duty to adhere to doctors’ prescriptions and provide medical care to residents. Failure to properly look after persons under their care amounts to neglect.
Psychological torture
Abuse in nursing homes is not always physical. In other cases, patients are subjected to untold emotional and psychological torture. This is a significant problem in many facilities. Yelling, screaming, name-calling, and insults to residents are the most common forms of psychological abuse. Other examples include sidelining residents from everyday activities and isolating them from friends and family. A La Porte nursing home abuse attorney can help prove these kinds of mistreatment.
For a free legal consultation with a nursing home abuse lawyer serving La Porte, call (832) 449-8230
How Will a La Porte Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer Help?
If a loved one has been subjected to abuse at a nursing home, it is necessary to consult with an attorney. A legal professional practising in this area of law is best suited to analyze your case and determine the way forward. Some of the most notable ways a La Porte nursing home abuse lawyer may help include:
Investigating the Abuse
Your attorney’s first order of business is to investigate the abuse against you or a loved one. With their resources and networks, they can gather critical evidence from surveillance footage, expert witnesses, eyewitnesses, and other relevant parties. Gathering evidence is vital in the claim process as it helps determine liability, demonstrate causation, and prove damages.
Maximizing Compensation
Another benefit of retaining a nursing home abuse attorney is securing maximum compensation. Economic damages, such as medical expenses, are relatively easy to calculate. However, non-economic damages are challenging to quantify, and many insurers overlook them. An experienced lawyer will evaluate the overall impact of the abuse, not just on your finances but also on your well-being. With their assistance, you can claim compensation for emotional distress, loss of companionship, pain and suffering, and reduced quality of life.
La Porte Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer Near Me (832) 449-8230
Call Our La Porte Nursing Home Abuse Attorney Today
If you suspect a loved one has been abused at a nursing home facility, you are their only hope for justice. Don’t wait. Act now by consulting with a nursing home abuse lawyer. Call our firm today to protect their rights.
Call or text (832) 449-8230 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form