Nursing Home Abuse Cases
The decision to place an elderly loved one in a nursing home is a difficult, trying decision for any family to come to. Nevertheless, most families arrive at the decision trusting that their loved ones will be treated with compassion, respect, and dignity. Unfortunately, too many elderly occupants of nursing homes are neglected, abused, and deprived of their fundamental human rights.
If it is suspected that an elderly loved one is the victim of nursing home abuse, it is essential that immediate action is taken to protect the best interests of the victim. It is far better that loved ones err on the side of being exceptionally cautious and find out that a loved one has not been abused than to give negligent caregivers the benefit of the doubt and have a loved one suffer further harm.
Attorney Lynn, C. Harris, leading the Provo personal injury attorneys that comprise the personal injury practice group of Jones Waldo, led by attorney Lynn C. Harris, have extensive experience and success handling nursing home abuse cases. Mr. Harris and his colleagues have the resources, skills, and knowledge necessary to investigate a case and take definitive action against those responsible for the injuries. Lynn Harris and his team will fight to ensure that victims’ rights are protected and that they are able to return to a life of comfort and dignity.
To arrange for an evaluation of a Provo nursing home abuse case, please contact Lynn Harris’ personal injury law firm today.
Types of Nursing Home Abuse
The Provo medical malpractice attorneys of Jones Waldo handle cases involving every type of nursing home abuse, including:
- Neglect - Residents of nursing homes depend on their caregivers for such necessities as food, water, hygiene, and medication. They often need help bathing, changing clothes, shifting their weight in bed, and even using the toilet. An elderly loved one may be the victim of neglect if he or she suffers from poor hygiene, untreated medical problems, skin abnormalities, dehydration, or malnutrition.
- Physical abuse - When nursing home employees use force on residents, hitting, kicking, pushing, slapping, or even burning them, they are perpetrating physical abuse. If unexplained bruises, cuts, swelling, sores, or scratches develop on a loved one’s body, he or she may be a victim of physical abuse.
- Sexual abuse - Many elderly people do not have the ability to prevent unwanted sexual acts from occurring, which makes them susceptible to abuse by caregivers. Rape, forced exposure, inappropriate touching, and other forms of sexual abuse can cause elderly residents to feel frightened and intimidated, affecting their moods and willingness to communicate. If a loved one is behaving strangely or recoiling at physical contact, he or she may be a victim of sexual abuse.
- Psychological abuse - Name calling, bullying, threats, degradation, and other forms of psychological abuse can lead to elderly residents becoming withdrawn or extremely irritable. Constant psychological abuse can also lead to depression and self-loathing tendencies.
- Financial abuse - If discrepancies or unexplained loss of funds are noticed in a loved one’s financial records, he or she may be the victim of financial abuse.
For further information about nursing home abuse or to schedule an evaluation of a case, please reach out to Lynn Harris’ team of personal injury attorneys in Provo today.
