Nursing homes should be a safe and comfortable environment where loved ones get the care they need. Unfortunately, some nursing homes are instead a toxic place where the very people entrusted to care for loved ones physically abuse them. Despite the tireless efforts of families to find the right nursing home, surveys show that 44% of nursing home residents report physical abuse.
Signs of this abuse may not be obvious in many situations, especially to family members. Indeed, the elderly may feel powerless because they are unable to stand up for themselves and caregivers take advantage of their vulnerability. In fact, most incidents of abuse in nursing homes go unreported out of fear of retaliation while staff members also fail to police one another.
Nursing home abuse is unlike other negligence in that it involves malicious acts rather than carelessness. Elder Abuse is defined as: intentional actions that cause harm or create a serious risk of harm (whether or not harm is intended) to vulnerable elders by a caregiver or other person who stands in a trust relationship to the elder. Beyond the devastating psychological effects it can have, abuse in nursing homes can cause serious physical harm as well. Residents are seriously injured, and in some cases die, from abuse each year.
Nursing home abuse and negligence claims involve many complex legal and medical issues. Having the right attorney is essential to recovering what you deserve. Our Midwest nursing home abuse law firm will do everything possible to assist you in obtaining the maximum compensation possible. More importantly, our firm will serve as an ally that will give you and your family the respect and compassion it needs. Contact us to protect your family today.
