Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers in Lexington, Kentucky
Nursing home abuse is much more widespread than people realize.
Often nursing home abuse is confused with nursing home neglect. While both are illegal and inhumane, they are not the same in terms of what they involve, and how they affect the patient for the rest of his or her life.
If you suspect that your loved one’s nursing home is guilty of abuse or neglect, contact an attorney immediately to explore your options.
Not only do you want to hold that company responsible, but you must ensure that the costs and trauma your loved one experiences is compensated.
What is Nursing Home Abuse?
Nursing home abuse is intentional. Caretakers purposely inflict injury, confine their patients, intimidate them, deprive them of care and services, and punish them with physical harm or mental anguish.
Nursing home neglect is the failure or intentional failure to provide care, services, and freedoms the patient requires to thrive.
Both are illegal and can result in criminal charges as well as civil liability.
Types of Nursing Home Abuse
Nursing home abuse can vary, but some more commonly seen forms include:
- Physical Abuse – Physical abuse involves physical harm. This abuse can be intentional, such as hitting or pinching the patient. Also, it can include the use of physical restraints.
- Sexual Abuse – Sexual attention or exploitation that is unwanted by the patient is considered sexual abuse. This can include any attention given to a patient that cannot consent or express their wishes cognitively, such as a patient with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia.
- Psychological Abuse – Abuse does not have to be physical. A person can suffer mental abuse as well, including yelling, humiliating, shaming the patient, and so forth. This is just as damaging as physical abuse and could be detrimental to a patient’s overall health.
- Financial Exploitation – Sometimes, abuse is not mental or physical, but it is financial. When caretakers take advantage of their access to a patient’s financial information, they can steal or compromise the patient’s financial status.
Know the Signs to Look Out For
Loved ones might not know what signs to look out for if they suspect abuse, but they should do their due diligence and always be on the lookout for these symptoms. Also, the moment abuse or neglect is suspected, contact the authorities, as well as an attorney, can ensure the abuse stops and other patients are not abused.
Some common signs of abuse to look for include:
- broken bones, fractures, and unexplained bruising
- Welts or cuts
- Dehydration
- Signs of malnutrition
- Infections
- Bed sores
- Refusal to eat, drink, or take medications
- Mood swings and emotional outbursts that are unlike their usual demeanor
- Unexplained weight loss
Holding Abusers Responsible: Contact an Attorney for Lexington Nursing Home Abuse
Nursing home abuse is illegal. Not only can you report a caregiver or facility to the authorities, but you can hold them financially responsible. Even if it is one employee causing the abuse, you have the right to hold the employer accountable for their employee’s actions.
To explore your options for compensation, speak with attorney Seth Gladstein from the Gladstein Law Firm, PLLC today. Schedule your no obligation consultation now at 502-791-9000 or complete an online contact form and someone will be in touch with you shortly.
