Huntington Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer

When a loved one has a physical or mental ailment requiring constant supervision, you may need to place them in an assisted living environment. You expect the staff to tend to your family member with care and respect.

Unfortunately, that is not always the case. Sometimes, nursing home staff members and other residents can prey upon the less vulnerable. In turn, that can leave your loved one with emotional and physical scars from the abuse.

Nursing homes must keep their residents safe. When they fail, they need to be held liable for any abuse. If you suspect that your family members have suffered harm in an assisted facility, you will want to contact a Huntington nursing home abuse lawyer.

At Hendrickson & Long, PLLC, we understand the sensitive nature of these cases. Our legal team will work with your family to protect the rights and dignity of your loved one.

Why Abuse Occurs in Nursing Homes

Abuse cases happen for a variety of reasons. From mismanagement to lack of staff training, there could be several reasons why abuse occurs in an assisted living facility. One of the biggest reasons is mismanagement. Without apparent oversight of personnel, some nursing homes allow staff members to provide inadequate care or even abuse the residents.

Some nursing homes may fail to vet their staff members properly in extreme situations. As a result, someone with a history of abuse could be responsible for the care of nursing home residents.

Along with that, there may not be a focus on providing staff with the right type of training to handle residents with severe physical or mental disabilities. In turn, caretakers may feel frustrated and stressed, which can lead to instances of abuse. Understaffing is another leading factor in why abuse occurs in these environments.

Regardless of why this abuse occurs in a nursing home, it is the responsibility of care providers and the administration to prevent any incidents. When they fail to do so, you need to hold them accountable for these egregious actions. Our legal team at Hendrickson & Long, PLLC can help.

What Are Signs of Abusive and Neglectful Behaviors?

If your loved one is in a nursing home, you want to stay vigilant about any signs of abuse. Often, victims can feel guilty following an incident of abuse. Some abusers use shame and intimidation to silence these individuals. Other times, the nursing home resident may not have the physical or mental capabilities to report abuse.

Abuse can also take many forms, including physical, sexual, emotional, and financial abuse. Financial abuse can manifest in several ways. Your loved one might have unexplained deductions from a banking account, or checks may go missing. Often, signs of this abuse can go unnoticed until a family member or loved one conducts an investigation.

However, physical abuse takes on more outward signs of distress. Many times, these individuals cannot communicate that abuse took place, or they may feel the person will retaliate for reporting an incident. For that reason, it is up to friends and family members to take a close look at the physical health of their loved ones. A few common signs of nursing home abuse include:

• Unexplained fractures and broken bones
• Bedsores
• Welts and bruises on the skin
• Lacerations and cuts
• Sudden mental health changes, such as confusion or depression
• Lack of interest in activities or withdrawing from family and friends
• Rapid weight loss

While some of these symptoms could be signs of physical or mental health changes, they could be indicators of abuse. You may want to investigate the reasons behind these signs further and take action if someone has abused your family member.

Who Is Liable for These Incidents?

The responsible parties for nursing home abuse are not limited to individuals. Corporations and managing companies can also be named in a lawsuit. These liable parties can include:

• Nurses
• Doctors
• Technicians and assistants
• Subcontractors, vendors, and other healthcare providers
• Maintenance staff and custodians
• Other residents
• Nursing home management and parent companies

While most of these cases center on civil personal injury lawsuits, some incidents can lead to criminal charges, especially for the perpetrator of abuse. If your loved one shows any signs of distress or abuse, you need to report it immediately.

You can often recover economic and non-economic damages stemming from the abuse. This compensation can assist with medical bills, rehabilitation costs, transferring your loved one to another home, and pain and suffering.

Each case is unique. You will want to consult with a skilled nursing home abuse lawyer to determine the exact damages in your situation.

Taking the Next Steps After Abuse or Neglect at an Assisted Living Facility

If you suspect that a loved one may have suffered nursing home abuse, you need to act quickly. Here are some steps to take for your case:

• Identify and document the abuse: Sometimes, deteriorating mental health or weight loss can be attributed to physical ailments. However, if there are unexplained signs of abuse, you need to document it. Take pictures, make notes, or record a video, all of which can be used as evidence in your case.
• Report the abuse: First, you need to report these signs to the nursing home administrator. In most cases, they will conduct a full investigation. However, you also have the right to speak to law enforcement or the state’s adult protective services about the incident.
• Contact a Huntington nursing home lawyer: Whether an investigation has concluded or not, you can reach out to a nursing home abuse attorney.They can help you communicate with the facility, document the incident, and file a lawsuit. These legal professionals can help you take the next steps to protect the rights of your loved one and seek compensation for damages caused by the abuse. 

Contact a Huntington Nursing Home Abuse Attorney

Incidents of nursing abuse are distressing situations for both the victim and their family members. You want to act quickly to prevent further abuse and protect the rights of your loved one. A Huntington nursing home abuse lawyer can help you determine your legal options.

At Hendrickson & Long, PLLC, we have helped families hold those negligent parties accountable for this abuse. Schedule a consultation today to discuss your case with one of our attorneys.