Adopted by the World Health Organization, the definition of elder abuse is a single, repeated act, or lack of action that led to harm or injury of an elderly person occurring within a relationship where there is an expectation of trust.
Each year thousands of Americans entrust their elderly loved ones to nursing home employees hoping that a nursing home will provide them with reasonable care. When this trust is broken many will find that their loved ones are not being taken care of properly and such negligence has led to serious personal injuries.
According to the Silver Ribbon Project, approximately 1 to 2 million Americans over the age of 65 have been injured, exploited or otherwise mistreated by someone whom they depended on for care or protection. The number of nursing home residents who are neglected or abused is not precisely known but it is estimated that it is between 2% and 10%. Unfortunately, nursing home negligence is one of the most underreported forms of abuse.
If you believe that a loved one is suffering from nursing home negligence, the victim may be entitled to compensation for medical expenses, pain and suffering, and more.
For a no-cost, no-obligation review of your nursing home negligence claim, fill out the ‘Free Case Evaluaiton’ form to your right – it’s completely confidential.
Signs To Watch Out For
Additional information from the National Center on Elder Abuse notes that in 2000, a survey of approximately 2,000 nursing home residents found that 44% of them had been abused and 95% complained of neglect or had seen other residents been neglected.
Some common signs of nursing home negligence include:
- Changes in personality
- Tension between caregiver and elder
- Hair loss
- Unexplained injuries or bruises
- Bedsores/pressure sores
- Poor hygiene
- Unsanitary living conditions
- Sudden change in weight
- Dehydration
- Unsuitable or soiled clothing
- Desertion of elder in public places
Some neglected individuals also tend to display certain emotional changes and psychological injuries such as:
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Unresponsiveness
- Changes in eating habits
If an elder is being physically or sexually abused, they may exhibit fear of their caregiver as well as other physical signs such as unexplained sprains or broken bones, genital infections, and more.
If you believe that an elder is being physically or sexually abused or neglected, contact our experienced nursing home negligence attorneys right away to discover what your legal rights are.
Preventing Nursing Home Negligence
One of the best ways to prevent nursing home negligence is to know what the signs are as well as becoming educated on prevention.
One way to prevent negligence is to listen to seniors and caretakers about new issues or challenges they are facing. In some cases, an elder may self-neglect that can lead to illness and injury when they stop taking care of themselves.
Furthermore, it is important to intervene if you believe that a loved one is being neglected or abused. According to the Silver Ribbon Project 90% or nursing homes are understaffed, which is a common cause of neglect.
Contact our Hartford Nursing Home Negligence Lawyers
Nursing home abuse and neglect is a serious problem and many laws have been enacted to protect the rights of victims. If you or a loved one is seeking legal counsel due to reports of nursing home abuse or negligence, can help.
With more than 140 years of combined legal experience, our attorneys have dedicated themselves to representing injury victims and helping them fight for their rights. Along with legal counsel on your specific claim, we can help to guide you and your loved ones through the legal process.
And many more surrounding towns and cities. For a no-cost, no-obligation initial case consultation, connect us at 800-PERKINS. Our lawyers work on a contingency basis, which means that we don’t charge you unless we are able to recover compensation for you.
If you would prefer to contact us online, fill out the Free Case Evaluation form on this page – it’s FREE to submit and completely confidential.