When a loved one moves into a nursing home or assisted living facility, you expect that they are in good hands. Unfortunately, nursing home abuse is a pervasive problem in our society. Due to inadequate staffing and poor training, nursing home residents suffer neglect and abuse daily.
When you suspect your loved one is suffering nursing home abuse, you have legal rights. An Aurora nursing home abuse lawyer can help you file a claim against the facility. There is no reason an elderly person should suffer abuse, neglect, or injury at the hands of their caregivers. Our dedicated personal injury attorneys at the Law Offices of R.F. Wittmeyer, Ltd. are here to advocate for your loved one and hold the negligent nursing home responsible for their harm.
What is Nursing Home Abuse?
Nursing home abuse is increasingly common due to staffing shortages and inadequate training. Most instances of nursing home abuse go unnoticed because residents are scared to report the neglect or do not realize the staff mistreats them.
Nursing home abuse can be verbal, emotional, or physical. Due to the fears mentioned above that may exist, families of nursing home victims should watch for the signs of elder abuse. Common signs of mistreatment include the following:
- Missing or improperly prescribed medication
- Physical harm
- Sexual abuse
- Extreme hunger or dehydration
- Improper care for patients with dementia or Alzheimer’s disease
- Unexplained injuries
- Bedsores
- Frequent falls
It can be difficult to know when a loved one is being abused or neglected. The signs of psychological and emotional trauma often go unnoticed by families until it is too late. When you suspect your loved one is mistreated, contact a nursing home abuse attorney in Auburn to discuss your options.
Reporting Nursing Home Abuse in Aurora
Families of those in nursing homes should immediately report suspected neglect or abuse. File a complaint with the appropriate authorities who will investigate and address the allegations of assisted living facility abuse. Then you may contact a local lawyer to discuss filing a lawsuit.
Not only are victims of nursing home abuse left to deal with the emotional and physical pain of their mistreatment, they also need help navigating the next steps in medical care or dealing with the financial repercussions. Filing a lawsuit for rest home abuse is one way to get the patient the financial assistance they need to move forward. A civil claim could also prevent the negligent nursing home staff from mistreating other residents in the future.
Abused nursing home residents can seek damages for the harm they suffered, including:
- Cost of past and future medical care
- Emotional distress and mental anguish
- Diminished quality of life
- Pain and suffering
- Other financial losses
Recoverable damages are also available to the surviving family members of abused assisted living facility residents who succumb to their injuries through a wrongful death suit.
Reach Out to an Aurora Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer
When your elderly loved one is suffering abuse at the hands of rest home staff, report it immediately. Nursing homes and other assisted living facilities owe a legal obligation to keep their residents safe. There is no excuse for nursing home abuse, and these entities should be held responsible to the fullest extent of the law.
When you decide to place an elderly loved one in assisted care, you should be able to do so without concern for the quality of their care. Residents who suffer abuse experience physical and emotional damage. Our Aurora nursing home abuse lawyers have over 30 years of experience and can help you pursue compensation for your loved one’s losses. Call today to schedule a consultation.