The last thing you want to hear or think is your vulnerable loved one being abused in any way in a nursing home. It is quite unfortunate that nursing negligence cases are at an alarming rate. It is therefore important that you have these vital pieces of information about what your next line of action should be if you suspect that your loved one is put in harm’s way in a nursing home.
Examples Of Nursing Home Abuse
Abuse or neglect in a nursing or care home can happen in different ways. Here are some forms negligence In a care home can take.
- Neglect or failing to care of a resident (such as failing to provide food or drugs when necessary, failing to inform the loved ones or a specialist if health of a resident worsens)
- Poor handling or unnecessary restrain
- Verbal abuse and threats
- psychological abuse
- physical abuse such as beating or hitting a resident
- sexual abuse of a resident, etc.
If any of these is noticed or suspected, it is important that you take appropriate steps before it causes further harm to the victim, irreparable damage or even loss of life.
Actions To Take If You Suspect Nursing Home Abuse
If you have concerns about nursing home neglect, please take the following underlisted steps;
- Call 911 in a case of emergency
- Look out for nursing abuse red flags
- Get evidence to back up your suspicion
- Reach out to a nursing home ombudsman
- Contact a nursing home abuse solicitor for appropriate legal actions
Call 911 In A Case Of Emergency:
If the situation is that of an emergency such that your loved one’s life is in immediate danger, then you must call 911 without wasting any time. This is the first and quickest way to arrest a nursing home abuse issue before an irreversible harm is done.
By making this call, not only does your loved one receive urgent medical care, the police can start looking into the matter and detain whoever is culpable for the abuse.
However, if it is not an emergency, you can apply other means to make your report.
Look Out For Nursing Abuse Red Flags:
There are certain signs and symptoms that could indicate that your loved one may be a victim of abuse. Some of the red flags to look out for include;
- Physical injuries including bruises which may indicate physical abuse
- Development of pressure sores as well as dirty or unkempt appearance which indicates neglect in the nursing home
- Emotional changes such as being withdrawn, depression, fear, confusion etc. which may indicate psychological abuse
- Unexplained sexually transmitted diseases or wounds in certain areas which may suggest sexual abuse
Being vigilant to notice these signs is vital towards saving the life of your loved one. Pay attention to such signals, make a note, how long they have been there as this information will form part of your nursing home abuse report.
Get Proof of Abuse:
You can only win a case with strong evidence. Here is how you can gather evidence to confirm your suspicions:
- Ask your loved ones about the quality of care they are receiving. Ensure to take down notes appropriately especially of any complaint of mistreatment
- Access their medical records and check for unexplained infections or bedsores (pressure sores)
- Document any changes in your loved one’s emotional attitude, weight loss, etc.
- Take pictures or videos of bruises, burns or other injuries your loved one has suffered
- You may set up a hidden camera to see what happens in your absence
Reach Out to Nursing Home Ombudsman
Present your evidence to the nursing home ombudsman. They work to fight for the rights of residents and also resolve problems affecting residents. The nursing home ombudsman will review your report, make investigations and take appropriate actions.
Where necessary, you can also contact the police if a crime has been committed against your vulnerable loved one.
Contact A Nursing Home Abuse Solicitor
Reaching out to a solicitor who is an expert in nursing home claims is your surest way to take legal actions against the abusive staff or negligent nursing home and be compensated for the harm done to your loved one.
Your lawyer will look at your evidence, and if you have enough grounds to file a lawsuit, will guide you through the process and fight by your side to see that justice is served.
Compensation amounts for nursing negligence cases are not fixed. The compensation amount you will receive will depend on the type of abuse of neglect, severity of harm done, for how long it has been going on, damages suffered and future prognosis. It will also cover any financial losses, cost of medical care, therapy and rehabilitation, etc.
We Can Help You
Nursing home abusers should not be allowed to continue to cause harm to vulnerable persons under their care. You can take legal actions against them.
Reach out to us and we will be glad to help you with your nursing negligence case. With our wealth of experience, you can be rest assured that you will be well compensated.
Call us on our helplines 0800 644 4240 or fill out our online free claims assessment form to get started.
