Nursing home and assisted living residents rely on their healthcare providers and caregivers to live life comfortably and safely. Unfortunately, far too many medical professionals and facilities fail their patients and residents, allowing them to be subjected to nursing home neglect and abuse. Fortunately, when families discover their loved ones have endured abuse, there are several ways to get residents safe and ensure liable parties are held accountable.
Working with an experienced and knowledgeable Perry nursing home abuse lawyer could be the solution you have been looking for. When you get a dedicated Perry personal injury lawyer with BDIW Law on your side, you can make your loved one’s abuser and other at-fault parties pay. Contact our legal team to schedule a free consultation and learn more about where nursing home abuse and neglect should be reported, types of recoverable damages, and how to protect your loved one in the future.
Try to Recognize Signs of Nursing Home Neglect and Abuse
If you are a loved one or are legally responsible for a family member’s estate, and your relative is currently residing in a nursing home or assisted living facility, it is important to be aware of the risks of abuse and neglect. While not every nursing home facility is dangerous, many overwork their staff, fail to provide their patients with the safety and quality of care they deserve or fail to properly vet healthcare providers before allowing them to care for the elderly.
It is important to recognize that nursing home abuse can come in multiple forms. Each type of nursing home abuse has red flags you can keep an eye out for. These types of abuse and potential warning signs include the following:
Physical Abuse
Physical abuse is arguably the most common type of abuse in nursing homes. It is also the most easily identified. If you notice your loved one with unexplained bruises, burns, broken or fractured bones, or that they are visibly afraid of their healthcare providers, these may be signs of physical abuse.
Emotional Abuse
Emotional abuse is one of the most under-reported types of nursing home abuse. While it does not often cause physical injury, it can result in extreme emotional distress, anxiety, depression, and even thoughts of suicide. You might notice your loved one become socially isolated, withdrawn, anxious, or engaging in self-harming behaviors if they are being emotionally abused.
Financial Abuse
Financial abuse can be easily identified once it is uncovered. There is often a paper trail when healthcare providers make changes to residence power of attorney, make authorized transactions out of their bank accounts, or steal money from nursing home residents. If you notice your loved one has made unexplained changes to their financial power of attorney documents or estate plans, is unable to cover their living expenses, or money appears to be missing, it may be time to raise concerns of financial abuse.
Sexual Abuse
Sexual abuse can be both physically and emotionally devastating for patients. Not only can healthcare providers sexually abuse their patients, but other nursing home residents and staff members have also been named in nursing home abuse lawsuits. Depending on the circumstances of your case, you may also have the right to take legal action against the nursing home facility and its parent company.
Neglect
Neglect is also considered nursing home abuse. When patients become malnourished, dehydrated, or develop bedsores, these are signs of abuse and neglect and often lead to wrongful death. Neglect can also include refusing or forgetting to provide patients with necessary medications or ensuring proper hygiene.
Our Team Is Here To Assist You Every Step Of The Way.
SPEAK TO AN ATTORNEY TODAYDo Not Forget to Report Nursing Home Abuse to the Appropriate Authorities
With help from your Perry nursing home abuse attorney, you can report your concerns to the appropriate authorities. Some of the agencies and companies that should be notified of your concerns include:
- Oklahoma Adult Protective Services
- The Perry Police Department
- The Oklahoma State Department of Health
Local law enforcement officials may conduct an investigation. If they determine your loved one has been abused in any way, the abusers, nursing home facility, and other parties that facilitated the abuse could all be facing criminal charges. However, there are also ways your family can demand justice with help from a nursing home abuse lawyer.
Your Family Can Demand Justice
Moving forward with a personal injury claim can be intimidating for anyone. When you are advocating for your loved one’s rights after they have been neglected or abused, you may need help navigating the complex claims process. You can feel empowered and confident in your claim when you have a nursing home abuse lawyer in Perry, OK with BDIW Law on your side.
If we bring your case to trial, we will demand total financial compensation. You should be repaid for every compensatory loss associated with your loved one’s abuse. Not only should the abuser or facility compensate your family member for relocation costs, medical expenses, and theft, but they should also be repaid for their pain and suffering, mental anguish, reduced quality of life, and other non-economic damages.
Nursing home abuse and neglect could be considered intentionally malicious. If nursing home facilities have repeatedly faced allegations of abuse or neglect, an award of punitive damages may be appropriate. While punitive damages are awarded rarely, when they are issued, they can dramatically increase the value of the claim.
Connect with Perry’s Leading Nursing Home Abuse Law Firm Today
The trauma abused nursing home and assisted living residents endure is undeniable. As their family members and caregivers, it is up to you to be their strongest advocate. Demand abusers be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law and take legal action against anyone who facilitates the neglect and abuse your relative suffered.
Reach out to a compassionate and experienced nursing home abuse attorney in Perry, OK with BDIW Law when you are ready to bring the liable parties to justice. The claims process does not need to be overwhelming when you have a reputable legal team working for you and protecting your rights. Fill out our convenient contact form or call us to schedule your no-cost, risk-free consultation as soon as today.
