When the elders we care for are in the nursing home, we believe it’s the best solution for them. The fact that they are with their peers and have a medical treatment they deserve is what makes us feel calm. Unfortunately, things are not always as we want them to be.

Nursing home abuse is not that rare as we want to believe. And if your loved one has gone through a traumatic situation in the hands of those who are supposed to care for them, you should take appropriate legal actions. After all, you don’t want for them to get away without consequences. You don’t want them to do the same thing to someone else.

Let’s see what are the legal steps you should take if you’re going through this type of situation.   

Recognizing the Nursing Home Abuse

Unfortunately, the elderly people who are being abused don’t always come out and say what’s happening. Some of them don’t have the power to do so. Maybe they are suffering from Alzheimer disease or something similar. On the other hand, those who are of clear mind, might be scared of stepping out and accusing someone.

When it comes to potential signs of negligence or abuse, you should pay attention to various things when you go for a visit. Depending on the situation, they might be exhibiting different signs. In the case of physical abuse, they might flinch when someone from the staff members enters a room or they might have bruises and scars.

On the other hand, emotional abuse is often exhibited through anxiety or depression. Any unusual behavior, like being silent and withdrawing from social situations, should be taken seriously. Also, if they have difficulty sleeping.

You can suspect your elderly person in the nursing home is being neglected if there are signs of dehydrations (dry and flaky skin) and malnutrition (weight loss). Also, the lack of hygiene can also be one of major red flags.

Reporting Your Suspicions to The Authorities

Those who have the reason to suspect that their loved one is the victim of abuse or neglect in a nursing home, you need to take appropriate steps and report what you think is happening to the people who have the power to deal with it. The first step is to notify the administrator of the facility where the neglect is happening. Make sure you submit a written complaint and date it.

After that is done, you need to report what has happened to the state officials. Facilities sometimes tend to ignore this sort of report as they don’t want to damage the reputation of the institution. The next step is to contact a firm of experienced lawyers in nursing home abuse cases in order to get the relevant legal support you need to escalate the case. Using lawyers versed in this area of the law will ensure that the correct steps are taken to ensure the culprits are held responsible and your loved ones are fairly compensated.

Why Should Hire a Lawyer?

In these difficult situations, you will really need an experienced attorney. As stated by the legal professional from https://www.marksandharrison.com/our-locations/richmond-office/, the prime goal is to ensure the victims are getting the compensation they deserve. State officials can investigate what you have reported and that can even lead to closure of the facility. However, state officials cannot give financial compensation to the victim for the physical and mental pain they have suffered. That’s why hiring a lawyer is a good way to go.

When you meet with the attorney and tell them about your case, they will be able to explain to you how the process will work. They will identify your legal options and tell you what your next courses of action should be to have the best possible result.

A knowledgeable and experienced nursing home abuse attorney can help you categorize the type of harm that has come to your loved one. As we know, abuse includes purposeful actions that cause harm and / or illness to the residents, such as sexual assault, verbal or emotional assault, etc. In addition, it is important to note that identifying and discovering abuse can be difficult in some cases, as it is hard for the victim to talk about the abuse. So, once you suspect that your dear one is the victim of abuse, you should immediately contact a nursing home neglect lawyer. You’ll organize meetings and discuss all the important steps needed to protect the victims and prevent the future cases of abuse.

The first meeting should be face to face and the good news is that these are usually free of charge. So, you can find the one you feel would be the most suitable for you without losing any additional cash. Once you make your decision, you and your attorney will agree on regular updates.

Your attorney and his legal team will conduct an investigation of their own about what happened to your loved one. They will go through all the documents and records, interview witnesses and consults with experts. By doing this, they will be able to determine what exactly happened and what amount you should demand as compensation for the harm committed to the victim.

The abuse and negligence towards elders by those who are supposed to take care of them is a crime. The victims of these horrendous acts should be reimbursed for their pain and suffering. The best way to secure something like this happening is to hire an experienced lawyer who has already proven capable with these sorts of cases.