Nursing homes advertise safety and comfort, but negligence and abuse are becoming more common. In a study published by the National Center on Elder Abuse, 44 percent of residents said they had experienced abuse.
Many of these cases stem from understaffing and poor management. However, nursing home staff members sometimes take advantage of residents for financial gain. Common examples of nursing home abuse include:
- Emotional abuse;
- Physical abuse;
- Neglect;
- Sexual abuse;
- And financial exploitation.
Unfortunately, the majority of abuse cases go unreported – often because the family and friends of residents do not know how to spot the signs of mistreatment. If you suspect that your loved one is a victim, contact Ed Bernstein & Associates.
A Las Vegas personal-injury attorney from our firm will take immediate action to investigate and resolve the problem. We can also help you or your loved one pursue compensation for damages related to the abuse.
Ed Bernstein & Associates has been representing the injured for more than 40 years. Call 702-240-0000 to schedule a consultation. You can also visit the US Attorneys Nevada Accident Lawyers website to learn more about injury lawsuits in Nevada.
Here is a brief overview of five common types of nursing home abuse:
- Emotional Abuse
Emotional abuse may be either verbal or nonverbal. Examples include insults, humiliation and verbal assaults. Staff members who threaten or intimidate residents may be guilty of emotional abuse.
- Physical Abuse
According to the National Center on Elder Abuse, physical abuse is any physical force that causes pain, impairment or injury. Physical abuse is usually the result of an act of violence such as hitting, slapping, beating or kicking. Other examples include inappropriate restraint, force-feeding or starving a resident.
- Neglect
Many elderly people require constant care. Just a few hours of neglect can be severely detrimental to a resident’s health.
Unfortunately, nursing home neglect is common. In a study involving 2,000 nursing home residents, 95 percent said they had been victims of neglect or had witnessed it firsthand.
- Sexual Abuse
Sexual abuse occurs when a victim does not consent to, or is unable to consent to, any type of sexual contact. It may include rape, sodomy, unwanted touching or forced nudity.
- Financial Exploitation
If a staff member misuses or steals a resident’s financial resources or money, then he or she may be guilty of financial exploitation. Examples include forgery, stealing cash, cashing checks, or forcing residents to make payments for additional services or privileges.
There is no excuse for nursing home abuse or neglect. As people in the United States live longer, the elderly abuse epidemic is likely to worsen. By making a claim against a negligent or abusive facility, you may be able to save other residents from the same mistreatment.
If you were the victim of nursing home abuse in Nevada, contact a Las Vegas injury attorney from Ed Bernstein & Associates. Schedule a free consultation today by calling 702-240-0000.