Our elders hold a special place in society. They tell stories of the past, offer wisdom, and hold families together. As such, it’s important to ensure they receive the best care when they can no longer complete tasks and care for themselves. However, it is the unfortunate reality that nursing home abuse does happen, more frequently than one would think. If you believe your loved one has been abused by the staff employed to care for them, it’s imperative to contact an experienced Tom Green County, Texas personal injury lawyer. You’ll also want to keep reading to learn about the sins that indicate mistreatment.
What Constitutes Nursing Home Abuse?
Generally, there are two kinds of harm those in nursing homes are subjected to; neglect and abuse.
Abuse is when someone intentionally inflicts bodily, emotional, or mental harm to another person. This includes assault, sexual abuse, verbal harassment, isolation, and restraint. Neglect occurs when a person, intentionally or unintentionally, deprives someone of the care necessary to live pain-free.
Examples of abuse include:
- Assault (hitting, slapping, shaking, biting, etc.)
- Rape or sexual assault
- Isolating from family
- Withholding medication as punishment
- Continual harassment, ridicule, and insults
- Refusing to provide food as punishment
- Threatening with weapons
Examples of neglect include:
- Failure to provide food and water
- Failure to treat existing health issues
- Failure to keep an elderly patient away from hazards
- Reckless disregard for the health and welfare of a resident
What Signs Should I Look Out For?
If you have a loved one in the care of a nursing home, it’s essential to understand the signs of abuse and neglect. This includes:
- Rapid weight loss, malnutrition, and dehydration
- Unexplained cuts, bruises, and wounds
- Bed sores (pressure ulcers)
- Fear of nursing home staff
- Unexplained venereal diseases
- Unusual behavior
- Emotional changes
- Unsafe living conditions
- Unclean living conditions
If I Believe a Loved One Is Suffering, What Can I Do?
If you discover your loved one is suffering from injuries, you may not know what to do. The most important thing is to contact emergency services as soon as possible, especially if your loved one is in immediate danger. Once you receive the necessary medical attention, you can proceed with holding the home responsible.
You’ll want to open an investigation with your local nursing home abuse hotline. This helps look into the practice to discover whether or not they are operating according to standards.
When you’re loved one is hurt due to the abuse and neglect of those you trusted to care for them, you’ll want to contact an attorney. At the Mathis Law Firm, we understand how devastating it can be to find out your loved one has been abused. Our legal team will do everything possible to help you receive justice.
