Personal Injury Attorney in Dekalb County, GA
Unfortunately, the people that raise us and care for us during some of the most important times of our lives grow older, grow ill, and grow tired. When this time approaches, there are professionals that will care for your loved ones, or so we really hope. There are nursing homes and assisted living facilities that house the ones we love when we are unable to do so.It may come as a surprise to most people, but these caretakers are also capable of abusing our loved one, even though they are paid to take care of them. Unfortunately, nursing home abuse cases can go on without justice ever being served. These incidents can go unreported for several reasons. If you or someone you know has a loved one that is being housed at a nursing home it is important to be aware of the different forms of nursing home abuse in the unfortunate event that something goes wrong. There are a few common types of nursing home abuse, such as:
The most common and obvious form of abuse is physical abuse. Physical abuse can occur in many ways, a staff member may hit your loved one or even another resident. Typically this is by physically striking them, strangulation, or any intentional harm caused by laying hands or even other objects on your loved one. Physical abuse can be visibly noticed, so it is not hard to prove if physical abuse is taking place, if you do not wait too long.
A very cruel and harder abuse to prove is emotional abuse. Any form of emotional distress caused by a staff member, such as calling them names or embarrassing them in private or in public that causes depression or sadness. Emotional abuse cannot be seen, and therefore may be hard to prove occurred in front of a judge.
Unfortunately, elders are also sexually abused in these facilities. This occurs when there is no consent and a caretaker has any sexual contact with a resident. It is just as common here as it is in a normal hospital, caregivers take advantage of the vulnerability and “helplessness” of the elder.
There are several ways an elder may be abused in a nursing home. Caregivers and staff may take advantage of people who seem to be alone or who cannot fend for themselves. However, this is not always the case. If you have suspicions that you loved one may have been abused in anyway, contact a personal injury attorney in Dekalb County, GA to discuss your legal options and the likelihood of a successful lawsuit being pursued.
Contact Andrew R. Lynch, P.C. for their insight into personal injury claims and nursing home abuse.
