Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect
Families put loved ones in nursing homes so that they can be assisted and cared for. So when a loved one instead becomes the victim of nursing home abuse or neglect, it is devastating. Sadly, nursing home abuse and neglect is not uncommon. This type of treatment can lead to illness, physical injuries, emotional trauma, and financial damages.
It is important that nursing home workers or administrators be held liable for the damages caused by neglect or abuse. Nursing home abuse attorney Lynn C. Harris, who serves Salt Lake City, UT, Provo, UT, and surrounding areas, works with abuse victims and their families to pursue financial compensation for losses related to nursing home abuse and neglect.
Types of Nursing Home Abuse
Many nursing home residents are subject to abuse. Abuse can refer to physical or emotional mistreatment. Some of the most frequently reported types of nursing home abuse include:
- Pushing, shoving, or hitting
- Improper use of physical restraints
- Improper use of medication to control a patient
- Sexual abuse
- Allowing or encouraging resident-on-resident violence
- Yelling, threatening, or other forms of intimidation
- Humiliation or ridicule
Forms of Nursing Home Neglect
Nursing home neglect is another common form of mistreatment. Neglect refers to situations in which a resident’s physical or emotional needs are not met. Neglect is not always as obvious as physical abuse, but it can be just as damaging. Common forms of nursing home neglect include:
- Failure to provide necessary medical care, including failure to administer necessary medication
- Failure to attend to bathroom needs
- Failure to provide adequate food, clothing, or shelter
- Failure to prevent falls
- Ignoring or isolating a resident
Recognizing Signs of Abuse or Neglect
Nursing home residents are vulnerable to ongoing abuse or neglect because they are often too scared to report their mistreatment, or are sometimes unable to communicate to others what they are experiencing. It is essential that loved ones recognize potential signs of abuse or neglect so that the mistreatment can be reported. Warning signs of abuse or neglect include:
- Unexplained sores, bruises, or bleeding
- Ligature marks around the wrists, ankles, or throat
- Unexplained falls
- Poor hygiene
- Sudden changes in weight
- Uncleanliness or unkempt living quarters
- Listless or unresponsive behavior
- Withdrawing from others
- Sudden changes in personality
- Changes in sleep patterns
- Reluctance to talk
- Depression
Holding Liable Parties Accountable
Nursing homes and their staff have a legal obligation to residents. If a patient is abused or mistreated, both administrators and individual staff members may be held liable for resulting damages. Lynn C. Harris works with Salt Lake City abuse victims and their families to pursue compensation for damages related to nursing home abuse and neglect, which may include:
- Medical expenses
- Pain and suffering
- Diminished quality of life
- Wrongful death losses (if abuse or neglect results in the resident’s death)
Contact Us
If you suspect that a loved one has been the victim of nursing home neglect or abuse, attorney Lynn C. Harris can help you explore your right to financial compensation for related damages. To discuss the details of your situation, contact our law firm online or call (801) 521-3200 and schedule a legal consultation.
