If you’ve ever had the unfortunate experience of witnessing a loved one suffer abuse or neglect in a nursing home, you understand the deep pain and frustration that can accompany such situations. Belal Hamideh and the team here empathize with those who have endured the harm or neglect of a family member in a setting where professional care was expected. As lawyers for elder abuse cases, we can help.
In an ideal world, nursing homes, assisted living facilities, caregivers, and other elder care providers should offer a safe haven for the elderly. Unfortunately, abuse can occur, whether intentional or unintentional. Recognizing the signs of abuse is crucial, and if you suspect your loved one has suffered, we encourage you to reach out to us for a free case evaluation.
Identifying Signs of Abuse
The safety and well-being of your loved ones in a nursing home is paramount. Abuse and neglect can take multiple forms, including those of physical, emotional, or financial harm.
Physical abuse often manifests through visible injuries, odd bruises, impairment, dehydration, or bedsores.
Intimidation, fear-inducing tactics, and humiliation by nursing home staff are indicative of emotional abuse. Emotional abuse may not leave physical scars, but it can lead to unexplained mood changes or drastic shifts in behavior.
Financial abuse, definitionally, occurs when caregivers deceive or steal from the elderly. Signs of this include sudden changes in legal documentation, powers of attorney, wills, and unaccounted personal items can signal financial abuse.
Regardless of the reasons behind the abuse – whether the nursing home is understaffed, the staff is unqualified, or other factors – holding the facility accountable for neglect or abuse is paramount. Seeking compensation becomes crucial not only for the affected individual but also to prevent further harm to others.
Recognizing Signs of Elder Neglect
Recognizing signs of elder abuse can be challenging. This is true for many reasons, not the least of which is that symptoms overlap with existing health conditions.
Unexplained sprains, dislocations, broken bones, rope marks, or welts and bruises on both sides of the body may indicate abuse. Unexplained weight loss, unsanitary living conditions, and overall neglect of the environment point towards potential abuse or neglect.
Trust your instincts. If you believe there’s even a chance of abuse, reach out for professional help to ensure your loved one’s safety.
How Belal and the Team Can Prove Abuse and Neglect
For starters, we collaborate with a network of trusted medical professionals, including doctors and nurses with extensive experience in nursing care.
Thorough evaluations of the victim, medical records, and the facility help establish the truth about the abuse or neglect. Then, we represent our clients as aggressively as possible, all towards securing the rightful compensation for victims and their families.
Experienced Lawyers for Elder Abuse Cases Ready to Support You
You need to know that your loved one is being cared for in the manner they deserve. That requires, among so much else, a great deal of trust.
When that trust is broken through intentional or unintentional abuse, taking legal action becomes a moral imperative. By filing a case, you not only seek justice for your loved one but also contribute to preventing future harm.
For a free case evaluation with Lawyers for Elder Abuse, message us through our site or call.