Seniors are at risk when they live in a nursing home. While the intent is to provide them with a safe place to live and the assistance they need in their senior years, it is possible for a loved one to end up being abused while they’re living in the nursing home. When this does happen, talking to a lawyer may be a good idea. There are several ways they can help.
Answer Questions You Might Have
If you suspect a loved one is being abused by the nursing home or a caregiver, it’s likely you have a lot of questions about what can be done and how to hold the person responsible. A nursing home abuse lawyer can help answer all of these questions. They can help alleviate concerns you might have about the care your loved one is receiving, let you know how to report the abuse, and help you gain financial compensation for the abuse so your loved one can move somewhere else and the person is held responsible for their actions.
Determine if Abuse Occurred
It can be challenging to tell if a loved one is being abused, especially because it’s not always physical abuse that results in visible signs that something has happened. It could involve neglect, emotional abuse, or financial abuse. A lawyer can review any information you provide about what is happening and look into it to determine if there is abuse and, if so, what can be done about it. The type of abuse, severity, and other factors can determine if there is anything that can be done.
Gather Evidence of Abuse
When you do have a case of elderly abuse, the key will be showing evidence of what occurred. If you’ve spotted signs of elder abuse, take photos or save documents to show what has happened. A lawyer can review all of the evidence you have as well as look for more evidence of what has happened so they can prove the abuse in court. They will make sure all evidence can be legally admitted into court and that it can be used to help prove your case so you and your loved one can get compensation for the abuse.
Determine Compensation to Request
How much compensation is needed to financially recover from the abuse? This is a hard question to answer, but a lawyer can go over everything with you. Depending on the type, severity, and length of abuse, the compensation requested during a lawsuit can vary. Compensation may include medical care coverage, money to cover stolen funds or items, the cost of moving to a new nursing home, therapy that may be needed, and even legal fees in some situations. The lawyer can help you determine what applies to the situation and how much you might receive.
Conclusion
If your loved one has suffered abuse while living in a nursing home, there is help available. A lawyer can help answer your questions, determine if you have a case, gather evidence, and request compensation. All of this is done to help your loved one become free from the abuse and, if necessary, move to a new nursing home that will provide the right care for them. Talk to a lawyer today to learn more about how they can help.
Article edited and fact checked by our editorial team.
References:
- Anetzberger, G. The Clinical Management of Elder Abuse. New York: Hawthorne Press, 2004.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Fast Facts: Preventing Elder Abuse.
- Gioglio GR, Blakemore P. Elder Abuse in New Jersey: The Knowledge and Experience of Abuse Among Older New Jerseyans. Trenton, NJ: New Jersey Department of Human Resources; 1982. Google Scholar
- National Institute on Aging (NIA). Spotting the Signs of Elder Abuse. National Institutes of Health (NIH)