Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect
A growing number of Americans today need the level of 24/7 attention that nursing homes provide. The elderly have many special needs that may require constant monitoring. However, there are many nursing home residents who are younger (sometimes children) and the victims of genetic challenges or catastrophic injuries, such as traumatic brain injury or spinal cord paralysis. Unfortunately, all of these individuals are particularly vulnerable to injury due to nursing home abuse or neglect.
Nursing Home Abuse: Physical, Emotional, and Financial Abuse and Neglect of the Resident
Nursing home residents can be victims of physical assault, homicide, and sexual assault, as well as verbal abuse, intimidation, social isolation, and substandard healthcare. Financial exploitation is a form of nursing home abuse, as well. Perpetrators include not only employees of nursing homes, but members of their administration, along with volunteers, aides, and fellow residents. The failure to protect victims from abusive family members or friends can also be considered abuse by the nursing home itself, particularly in instances of financial abuse or exploitation.
Residents can be emotionally abused in nursing homes, too. Observing a resident seeking social isolation; being emotionally upset or nervous; demonstrating repetitive behavior, such as rocking, swaying, or sucking fingers; or acting fearful towards staff, especially specific staff members, should be sufficient cause to investigate possible nursing home abuse.
Financial abuse is tragically common among nursing home residents. From small thefts of toiletries, to financial exploitation of their funds by the administration itself, residents are prey to theft and fraud. Loved ones discovering sudden withdrawals from bank accounts, missing financial documents, or the failure to have ready access to financial information are all warning signs that the resident is being financially victimized. The failure of the nursing home to investigate the exploitation of a resident by a “friend” or family member may be considered abuse under the law, as well.
Finally, neglecting the needs of a nursing home resident is legal abuse of that individual. Signs of nursing home neglect include inadequate personal hygiene; unsanitary or unclean conditions; bedsores; safety hazards in the room; dehydration; malnutrition; or bodily odors (urine, sweat, sickness).
How to fight against nursing home abuse?
First, both Alabama law and federal statutes make many acts of nursing home abuse a crime. The first step in cases of nursing home abuse should be to call the police. Second, nursing homes are licensed and regulated by the State of Alabama which can monitor and shut down facilities that fail to meet agency standards. Notify the agency. Third, get an experience injury attorney to investigate the possibility of bringing a civil lawsuit against the nursing home on behalf of the resident. Monetary damages for nursing home abuse are available under Alabama law.
If you or a loved one has suffered a personal injury or wrongful death due to nursing home abuse or nursing home neglect, then please feel free to contact the experienced trial attorneys at Fischer, Goldasich & Aughtman, LLC to schedule a free, initial legal consolation.
Our top trial lawyers are dedicated to helping the injured find justice and the firm of Fischer, Goldasich & Aughtman,LLC stands ready to help you. We can be reached locally at (205) 423-8504 or toll-free at (866) 557-8504.